Snakes and ladders toast

I have inherited my love of novelty food from my mother. She used to make multicoloured layered jellies studded with fresh fruit, and buy miniature loaves to conjure into miniature sandwiches for my lunchbox. This is a great way to introduce kids to the wonder that is the world of cheese. You need two different colours, so I’d suggest red Leicester as the orange colour and another paler, yellow cheese that you have to hand.

INGREDIENTS

1 slice bread

red leicester cheese

a lighter coloured cheese that melts well, like cheddar

thin slice green pepper

1 carrot, peeled and sliced into thin matchsticks

METHOD

Toast one side of the bread under the grill. Cut 2 slices off each block of cheese and cut each slice into 3 squares. With the bread toasted side down, arrange the squares of cheese in alternate colours over the slice, to create a pleasing chequerboard effect. Grill until melting and golden. Top with your green pepper snake and use the carrot sticks to fashion a ladder shape.

IDEAS FOR GREEN PEPPER

Slice finely, roast with sliced onions and sausages and serve with mashed potatoes and gravy. Or use in the enchiladas for a tasty way to hoover up any leftover veg. Or slice finely, bag up and freeze, and add frozen strips to curries, soups and stews. Or grill strips on a griddle, and use in a toasted sandwich with goat’s cheese and fried tomatoes.

#normalmum #bread #cheddar #capsicum #carrot #leicester