What goes with …

… the Cheat's Chilli?

Who doesn't like a “toasted” sandwich? This “scaled down” version is the perfect accompaniment for the chilli.

Croque Soldiers

4 slices of medium sliced wholemeal bread

2 tsp Dijon mustard

**75g (3oz) Gruyere cheese (grated)

2 slices of ham

30g (1½oz) unsalted butter

Spread ½ tsp of mustard over each slice of bread.

Spread half the cheese on two slices of bread followed by the ham, remaining cheese on top. Sandwich together with the other two slices of bread.

Cut into thick soldiers – 4 per two slices of bread – in half and half again.

Heat the butter in a frying pan until foaming – fry your soldiers for 1-2 minutes on each side so that the cheese melts.

If you are making heaps of soldiers you can pop them in a pre-heated oven on a baking sheet – 180fan/200c/Gas 6 for a minute or two but it's my experience that using pieces of kitchen equipment that can be avoided is preferable – too much like hard work and complicated!!

Can't think of a downside to this “side suggestion”.

**I appreciate that Gruyere is expensive – mature cheddar cheese is just as good.