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Melegszendvics
Toasted ham and cheese
Melegszendvics: Hungarian open toasted sandwich with ketchup, ham and melted cheese
Melegszendvics is Hungarian student food and the go-to Sunday evening supper in countless Budapest households: slices of bread spread with ketchup or sour cream, topped with ham and grated cheese and baked until the cheese bubbles. Many families own a little sandwich toaster just for it, but a hot oven or grill works just as well. The ham is pork; for a vegetarian version swap it for sliced tomato, peppers and sweetcorn and use a vegetarian cheese. Chef's tip: grate the cheese rather than slicing it, so it melts evenly to the edges and the bread underneath crisps instead of steaming.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 8 slices white or mixed-grain bread
- ⅔ oz buttersoftened
- 4 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 5 ½ oz sliced cooked ham
- ½ green pepper (optional)thinly sliced, optional
- ½ tsp dried oregano
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What you'll need
Fresh ingredients (2)
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Heat the oven grill to high, or the oven to 425°F (fan 400°F). Lay 8 slices white or mixed-grain bread on a baking tray, spread thinly with ⅔ oz butter, then with 4 tbsp tomato ketchup.
5 minStep 2: Top each slice with 5 ½ oz sliced cooked ham, a few slices of ½ green pepper if using, and plenty of 5 ½ oz grated Edam or trappista-style cheese, right to the edges. Sprinkle with ½ tsp dried oregano.
2 minStep 3: Grill or bake for 5–7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling with golden spots and the bread edges are crisp. Serve hot with pickled cucumbers or a tomato salad.
6 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 20 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does melegszendvics take?
- About 15 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- What can I use instead of butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of tomato ketchup?
- Tomato purée with a pinch of sugar and a dash of vinegar.
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