Cheese toasties are one of the best comfort foods the British Isles have to offer. They’re not unlike their American counterparts, the grilled cheese, but it’s kinda like Zebras and Donkeys. Similar, but completely different animals.

I know, I know. I’m on a British kick lately. Yes, my blog is dedicated to Tex-Mex and Southern food. But this is a Texan British household, so just as often British favorites make it to our table.

You may not know this, but a few weeks ago, I won this amazing prize package from The Little Kitchen blog. I won $150 worth of KerryGold cheese and butter, plus this gorgeous Irish cooking cookbook. When the cheese arrived, just after new year, it was like Christmas all over again. Cheese is one of my favorite foods, and Irish Cheddar? Top of the freaking list.

Tweeting back and forth with KerryGold after the win, we somehow got on the subject of cheese toasties, and the tweeps behind the KerryGold twitter account have never had a cheese toasty. This is a crying shame. They inspired this post. And my dinner that night – so thank you, KerryGold. For all the cheese, and for reminding me of a delicious favorite.

I’ve had many grilled cheese sandwiches in my life, and they’re nothing like a good cheese toasty. There’s a time and place for each, but if you’ve never had a cheese toasty, you’ve got to try this next time you’re planning on tomato soup for dinner.

Start with really good bread. We picked up a loaf of whole grain white from Panera Bread, and had them slice it thick. Then, if you’re feeling really decadent, go for a couple different kinds of Irish cheddar. I grated KerryGold’s Reserve Irish Cheddar and Dubliner with Irish Stout into a bowl and mixed them. That’s right, I said stout. Beer and cheese? Beer IN cheese? You know it, baby. Mindblowingly delicious.

What you’ll need: Really good sandwich bread, Grated cheddar cheese, Butter, and Worcestershire Sauce.

Next, toast your bread ever so slightly. On like a 1 or 2. Just enough to make it stand up to the cheese and the Worcestershire sauce without getting soggy.

Butter your toast with really good butter, like KerryGold Irish Butter. Spread the grated cheese on top for full coverage.

When fully covered, sprinkle every so lightly with the Worcestershire sauce. You want just enough to bring out the flavor of the cheese, not soak the bread.

Turn the broiler (or as the English say, the grill) on. Place the bread on a baking sheet and place under the broiler. It should only take 2-3 minutes tops to cook.

Pull from the oven when you’ve got lovely bubble with color and the edges of the bread are toasted to your liking. It might be a KFJ (Knife & Fork Job) or you can let it cool a little bit and just bite right in.

You know what else? It goes GREAT with a cup of tea.

Have you ever had a cheese toasty before? Is this how YOU make it?

The winner of the electric tea kettle and tea package is JenniferA!

She starts every morning with Republic of Tea’s Ginger Peach Tea. I love that one too, it’s the closest to Whittard’s Peach tea here in the US. Congratulations, Jennifer! Please email me at amber at bluebonnetsandbrownies dot com by Monday night to claim your prize!

This giveaway was so successful, I’ve decided to give away a second set of the Twinings Tea 6 pack. Head over to Facebook to win.

[wpurp-searchable-recipe]Cheese Toasty & a Winner – – – [/wpurp-searchable-recipe]