Mango and Cheddar Toasties

I hesitate to post this recipe, because it's so peculiar. But it's very, very good, especially if you like the combination of cheese and fruit. This was made for me by a friend many, many years ago, in a tiny little flat in Dublin, and was the perfect pick-me-up after a long, gruelling, overnight ferry trip across the Irish sea. I won't go into details, suffice to say that it was lucky I had a big plastic handbag, because the crossing was so rough and nauseating that there was no chance of making it to the... well, that's enough for now.

Mangoes are in season in Johannesburg right now, my goodness, it is a bumper season - the shops are filled with the most beautiful globes in riotous sunset colours.

Mango and Cheddar Toasties

8 slices white or brown bread
2 firm, ripe mangoes, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tsp wholegrain mustard
a block of sharp matured Cheddar, thinly sliced
milled black pepper

Preheat the oven grill for 10 minutes.

Put the slices of bread in a single layer on a baking sheet and place under the hot grill. When they're nicely toasted on once side, remove from the oven and turn over. Spread a thin lick of mustard on each slice. Top with two or three slices of mango. Now cover with thin slices of Cheddar, making sure that the corners of the toast slices are covered in cheese. Grind over plenty of black pepper.

Put the baking sheet back into the oven and grill until the cheese is bubbling and beginning to turn golden brown. Cut into quarters.

Serve hot.

Serves 4-6 as a snack

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