Serves 2
90 min
Ham and Cheese Toastie on Irish Soda Bread with Irish Country Ketchup
Recipe GLPR71367c118ba616
A classic Irish toastie featuring warm, golden pan-fried slices of homemade Irish soda bread layered with sharp cheddar cheese, sliced ham, and tangy Irish Country Ketchup. The bread is made from a simple blend of all-purpose and whole wheat flour combined with buttermilk, creating a tender crumb with authentic Irish flavor. The toastie is pan-fried until the cheese melts and both sides turn crispy and golden.
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Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 cups buttermilk, well shaken
2 tablespoons salted butter
2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
3 tablespoons Irish Country Ketchup
4 slices of ham
Directions
Preheat your oven to 450°F and allow it to reach temperature, about 15 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, kosher salt, and baking soda. Using a balloon whisk, vigorously stir the dry ingredients together for 30 seconds to ensure they are well blended. Create a well in the center of the mixture and pour the buttermilk into it.
Stir and fold the ingredients together using a spoon or wooden spatula until a rough, shaggy dough begins to form. Once the mixture comes together, use your hands to knead gently, incorporating any loose flour or dry bits into the dough.
Line a 10-inch cast iron skillet or large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking oil. Form the dough into a rough round ball and place it on the prepared parchment. Using a sharp knife, cut an "X" shape across the top of the dough, cutting about 1/4 inch deep.
Place the skillet in the preheated 450°F oven and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 400°F and continue baking for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when you tap it. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should register 190 to 195°F. Transfer the bread to a wire rack to cool for 30 minutes.
Once the bread has cooled (it will still be warm to the touch), slice it into 3/4-inch thick slices. Select 4 slices and generously butter each one with 1/2 tablespoon of salted butter.
Place two buttered slices of bread, butter side down, in a large heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of grated sharp cheddar cheese over each slice, then spread about 1 tablespoon of Irish Country Ketchup over the cheese.
Layer 2 slices of ham over the ketchup on each slice of bread. Sprinkle 2 more tablespoons of grated cheddar cheese over the ham, then add another 1 tablespoon of Irish Country Ketchup over the cheese. Top each sandwich with the remaining two buttered slices of bread, placing them butter side up.
Heat the skillet on medium-low heat, watching carefully as the underside of the bread begins to turn golden brown and the cheese starts to melt. Once the first side is golden and crispy, use a spatula to flip the sandwiches over. Cook the other side until it is also golden brown and the cheese has melted completely.
Remove the toasties from the skillet and slice each sandwich in half diagonally. Serve immediately while still warm and the cheese is melted.
