Toasties

Do toasting bags make them crispy?

No advice on the cooking front, Lucca but ?. Think of you often ?.

I use a Breville toaster, toastabags or an ordinary ungreased frying pan.
For each method I butter the outer sides of the bread and apply ‘persuasion’ (clamping shut the Breville, wedging the bags in the toaster, using a spatula to press down in the frying pan). All results are good but the Breville wins with two pretty cockleshell triangles, sealed edges and a crunchier texture.
It used to be easy to find toastabags but they don’t appear in supermarkets. Lakeland’s, I’m sure, will be a great purchase.
I hope you feel better soon Lucca.
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Sorry to hear about your health, Lucca.

I hope you find a way of toasting sandwiches that works for you, and when you do, try grating cheese, onion and eating apple, mix together in a sandwich and toast - delicious.

I've used bags and also a wee sandwich maker.

I've just sent off for a Crimpie, which apparently welds filled sandwich thins shut for direct toasting in a normal toaster. When in it arrives, I'll let you know if it's worth it.

I was much the same after chemo, absolutely no head hair (rogue chin hairs clung on tight, damn them) and zero taste buds. Both came back in about six weeks. I also craved texture, as everything tasted of cardboard, and it was a chickpea and lemon juice dish that first broke through.

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Lucca I not a toastie expert, but I do hope you find a way that is good for you ?

food again.

You have my sympathy ,toast was one of my go to with cuppa soups ,I used to eat frozen pineapple while I was hooked up to chemo ,hope it's not long before you are able to enjoy good again .best wishes.

I use toastie bags available in the shops or from Amazon.
I hope you enjoy what you can eat best wishes to you.

I use the bags when in a hurry, but I do find that the cheese doesn't always melt completely although the bread is browned. My toaster has a warming function, so that will complete the melting. I only butter the outside and very thinly. For the very best results I use my mini George Forman grill, but it only takes one sandwich at a time.
I am feeling hungry now!

I hope your sense of taste returns completely soon.

MrJ made a toastie at lunchtime today using the Breville lurking in a cupboard, he didn’t butter the outside incidentally. I think they’re better than the bags as the edges are sealed, certainly are crunchy.

Lucca

Thanks chestnut but at the moment fat content is the least of my worries !! My macmillan nurse says they’re the only nhs dept who encourage to EAT ! Calories etc !

Ah yes, of course, I wasn't really thinking about that (one side of brain not connecting to the other). For anyone else it's probably a good thing to have less fat. And if you do want to use fat then remember olive oil is much healthier. I have no idea what it would be like on a toasted sandwich though. Maybe someone could try spreading it.

I have a little toastie machine, it was about £15 from Argos and has been going years.
I melt butter in the microwave and brush it onto the outside of the bread.
The way the machine seals gives a better toastie than the bags.
It’s real comfort food.

I’ve only recently discovered the toast bags or at least tried them and they are indeed excellent. I agree Lucca just eat what you fancy, like when we are unwell and don’t want to eat the usual meals. All the best x

I’m a huge fan of toasties- ham, cheese and mustard being a favourite! If the bread is too thick, make the sandwich as per usual, place in toastie bag and use all your weight ? to flatten it to the requisite thinness to fit your toaster!

Sounds like you had a hard time 'unsticking' the s"&)£ contents from the bag volver which is enough to made a saint swear.

The tastiest toastie I've ever eaten was chopped bacon, grated cheese and sliced tomatoes grilled under the eye-level grills that gas ovens used to have.

Best of luck with the chemo Lucca.

Lucca

Thanks chestnut but at the moment fat content is the least of my worries !! My macmillan nurse says they’re the only nhs dept who encourage to EAT ! Calories etc !

It sounds like the NHS diet sheet that DH was given when he lost a lot of weight in hospital - cream, cheese, whole milk, cake etc.

A little of what you fancy does you good (said my mother).

Whatever you enjoy and feel like eating, Lucca

I've never heard of the
Honestly, auto incorrect is in overdrive today!

I've never heard of toasting bags

Lucca Wishing the best for you.

I've never heard of the.
We used to have a Breville toaster and buttered the outside of the bread.
However, the toaster got scratched so we got rid of it. Toasting bags would have worked in that too, I think.

I've tried it without the "double buttering" Chestnut and it really is necessary if you are using the bag. Don't ask me why.

Thanks chestnut but at the moment fat content is the least of my worries !! My macmillan nurse says they’re the only nhs dept who encourage to EAT ! Calories etc !

Thanks. I’m not feeling too bad except for the taste buds plus the horribly weak legs …feel pathetic climbing up the stairs in my DS house. Quite a few random side effects of chemo….peeing up to 8 times a night…. But touch wood not had the nausea so far

Buttering both sides sounds like overkill on the fat content and calories! If I want a toasted sandwich I simply toast two slices of bread, then put generous slices of cheese on one and microwave for about 45 seconds. Meanwhile, spread the other slice with pickle (yum yum) and then slap the two together, turn it over so the hot cheesy side is on top, and cut in half. That melts the two slices together. There you have a lovely toasted cheese and pickle sandwich with no fat except what is in the cheese. And no bag required, or equipment to wash.

We use the bags and they do fit in our toaster but it is a bit tight by the time you've got your bread and fillings in.

Hope you're not feeling too bad, Lucca, and you find something to eat you enjoy.