I often find myself with a few slices of bread and no desire to cook anything complicated. One morning, I tried this version inspired by a Nigella recipe, using what I had on hand – cheese, salami, lettuce, and a small radish. Nothing sophisticated, just something that turns out well on the grill.
Quick info
Total time: about 10 minutes
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: breakfast, quick snack
Ingredients
2 slices of bread
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
2 slices of salami
3 slices of cheese
1 small radish
2 leaves of green lettuce
Preparation steps
1. Start with the slices of bread. Spread margarine or butter on one side, just enough to cover the surface without overdoing it.
2. Place a slice of cheese on each slice of bread. Then, add a slice of salami on top of each.
3. On one of the slices, add the thinly sliced radish and the washed lettuce leaves.
4. Place the remaining slice of cheese on top of the lettuce.
5. On the salami slice of the other piece of bread, spread a little margarine again. Stack the two slices so that the filling stays in the middle.
6. Heat a grill pan (or a regular pan if you don't have a grill).
7. Spread a little margarine on one side of the sandwich, then place the sandwich in the hot pan with the buttered side down. Press lightly with a spatula.
8. While it browns on the first side, spread margarine on the other side of the sandwich. Flip it after 2-3 minutes or when you see it has taken on color, and press again lightly.
9. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes and take it out when the cheese starts to melt and the bread is golden.
Why I make this recipe often
I make it because it’s quick and doesn’t require me to wash many dishes. I love how it combines cold textures (lettuce, radish) with melted cheese. It’s the kind of sandwich that works well when you have a few simple ingredients on hand and don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
Tips and variations
Tips
Don’t use too much margarine, otherwise the bread will turn out too greasy. The grill needs to be hot so the sandwich doesn’t sit too long and the lettuce doesn’t wilt inside.
Substitutions
You can use butter instead of margarine if you prefer the taste. The salami can be replaced with any other cooked salami or even sliced chicken breast. If you don’t have cheese, you can use feta or another type of cheese that melts easily.
Variations
You can add slices of tomatoes or cucumbers, or skip the radish. If you like it spicier, put a little mustard inside, but don’t let it overpower the cheese flavor.
Serving ideas
It goes well with a cup of tea or coffee in the morning. For a quick lunch, you can add a simple salad next to the sandwich. If you want to take it to go, you can wrap it in parchment paper, but it’s best fresh and warm.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use another type of bread?
Yes, any sliced bread works, but the best is a denser bread that can hold up on the grill. Even whole grain bread or toast works well.
2. Can I use other cold cuts?
You can use any cooked or smoked cold cuts, it doesn’t have to be salami. It’s best if it’s not too fatty, so it doesn’t drip in the pan.
3. How long should the sandwich stay on the grill?
Generally, 2-3 minutes on each side is enough, but it also depends on how hot the pan is and the thickness of the bread.
4. Can it be made without lettuce or radish?
Yes, if you don’t have or don’t want to use vegetables, the sandwich turns out well with just cheese and salami.
5. What do I do if the cheese doesn’t melt?
If you’re using a harder cheese, cover the sandwich with a lid on the pan for 1-2 minutes, but be careful not to burn the bread.
Nutritional values
Estimated, a sandwich made with this recipe has about 350-400 kcal.
Protein: approximately 16-18 g
Fat: 20-22 g
Carbohydrates: 30-35 g
Values depend on the exact type of bread, margarine, and salami used. These are just rough estimates for one serving.
Storage and reheating
This sandwich doesn’t keep well once it cools down, as the bread becomes soft and the lettuce loses its texture. It’s best fresh, right after you take it out of the pan. If you need to reheat it, use the pan again, not the microwave. However, I don’t recommend making it long in advance.
Quick info
Total time: about 10 minutes
Preparation time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 sandwich
Difficulty: easy
Recipe type: breakfast, quick snack
Ingredients
2 slices of bread
1 tablespoon margarine or butter
2 slices of salami
3 slices of cheese
1 small radish
2 leaves of green lettuce
Preparation steps
1. Start with the slices of bread. Spread margarine or butter on one side, just enough to cover the surface without overdoing it.
2. Place a slice of cheese on each slice of bread. Then, add a slice of salami on top of each.
3. On one of the slices, add the thinly sliced radish and the washed lettuce leaves.
4. Place the remaining slice of cheese on top of the lettuce.
5. On the salami slice of the other piece of bread, spread a little margarine again. Stack the two slices so that the filling stays in the middle.
6. Heat a grill pan (or a regular pan if you don't have a grill).
7. Spread a little margarine on one side of the sandwich, then place the sandwich in the hot pan with the buttered side down. Press lightly with a spatula.
8. While it browns on the first side, spread margarine on the other side of the sandwich. Flip it after 2-3 minutes or when you see it has taken on color, and press again lightly.
9. Let it cook for another 2-3 minutes and take it out when the cheese starts to melt and the bread is golden.
Why I make this recipe often
I make it because it’s quick and doesn’t require me to wash many dishes. I love how it combines cold textures (lettuce, radish) with melted cheese. It’s the kind of sandwich that works well when you have a few simple ingredients on hand and don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen.
Tips and variations
Tips
Don’t use too much margarine, otherwise the bread will turn out too greasy. The grill needs to be hot so the sandwich doesn’t sit too long and the lettuce doesn’t wilt inside.
Substitutions
You can use butter instead of margarine if you prefer the taste. The salami can be replaced with any other cooked salami or even sliced chicken breast. If you don’t have cheese, you can use feta or another type of cheese that melts easily.
Variations
You can add slices of tomatoes or cucumbers, or skip the radish. If you like it spicier, put a little mustard inside, but don’t let it overpower the cheese flavor.
Serving ideas
It goes well with a cup of tea or coffee in the morning. For a quick lunch, you can add a simple salad next to the sandwich. If you want to take it to go, you can wrap it in parchment paper, but it’s best fresh and warm.
Frequently asked questions
1. Can I use another type of bread?
Yes, any sliced bread works, but the best is a denser bread that can hold up on the grill. Even whole grain bread or toast works well.
2. Can I use other cold cuts?
You can use any cooked or smoked cold cuts, it doesn’t have to be salami. It’s best if it’s not too fatty, so it doesn’t drip in the pan.
3. How long should the sandwich stay on the grill?
Generally, 2-3 minutes on each side is enough, but it also depends on how hot the pan is and the thickness of the bread.
4. Can it be made without lettuce or radish?
Yes, if you don’t have or don’t want to use vegetables, the sandwich turns out well with just cheese and salami.
5. What do I do if the cheese doesn’t melt?
If you’re using a harder cheese, cover the sandwich with a lid on the pan for 1-2 minutes, but be careful not to burn the bread.
Nutritional values
Estimated, a sandwich made with this recipe has about 350-400 kcal.
Protein: approximately 16-18 g
Fat: 20-22 g
Carbohydrates: 30-35 g
Values depend on the exact type of bread, margarine, and salami used. These are just rough estimates for one serving.
Storage and reheating
This sandwich doesn’t keep well once it cools down, as the bread becomes soft and the lettuce loses its texture. It’s best fresh, right after you take it out of the pan. If you need to reheat it, use the pan again, not the microwave. However, I don’t recommend making it long in advance.