Golden, buttery and filled with beautifully melted cheese, this isn't your ordinary ham and cheese toastie.
Inspired by the classic French croque-monsieur, our Black Garlic Mustard, Smoked Ham & Gruyère Toastie brings a gourmet twist to a much-loved café favourite.
Layers of premium smoked ham, nutty Gruyère, mature cheddar and tangy cornichons are brought together with a generous spread of our Noosa Black Garlic Mustard.
The mustard's gentle warmth and rich black garlic umami balance the buttery sourdough and melted cheese, creating the perfect combination of savoury, creamy and irresistibly indulgent.
Ready in minutes, this is the ultimate gourmet lunch you'll want to make again and again.
Serves: 2
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8–10 minutes
Ingredients
For the Toasties
-
4 thick slices good-quality sourdough bread
-
2 tbsp Noosa Black Garlic Mustard
-
120 g premium smoked ham, thinly sliced
-
100 g Gruyère cheese, freshly grated
-
40 g mature cheddar cheese, grated
-
4 cornichons, thinly sliced lengthways
-
30 g unsalted butter, softened
-
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
-
A few fresh thyme leaves, optional
To Serve
-
Extra Noosa Black Garlic Mustard
-
Extra cornichons
-
A simple green salad, optional
Method
Step 1: Prepare the Sourdough
Lay the four slices of sourdough bread on a clean work surface.
Spread one side of each slice generously with Noosa Black Garlic Mustard, ensuring the mustard reaches close to the edges.
Step 2: Layer the Cheese
Divide half the freshly grated Gruyère and mature cheddar between two slices of bread, placing the cheese directly over the mustard.
The combination of Gruyère and mature cheddar creates a beautifully rich, nutty filling with excellent melting qualities.
Step 3: Add the Smoked Ham & Cornichons
Arrange the thinly sliced smoked ham over the cheese, folding it loosely to create generous layers.
Place the sliced cornichons over the ham, distributing them evenly.
Season with freshly ground black pepper and add a few fresh thyme leaves if using.
Step 4: Assemble the Toasties
Scatter the remaining grated cheese over the ham and cornichons.
Place the remaining slices of sourdough on top, mustard-side down.
Spread the softened butter evenly over the outside of each sandwich.
Step 5: Toast Until Golden
Heat a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium-low heat.
Place the sandwiches in the pan and cook gently for approximately 4–5 minutes on the first side.
Press lightly with a spatula to encourage even contact with the pan.
Carefully turn the toasties and cook for another 4–5 minutes until both sides are beautifully golden and crisp and the cheese has completely melted.
If the bread begins to brown too quickly, reduce the heat and cover the pan briefly to help the cheese melt.
Step 6: Rest and Slice
Transfer the toasties to a cutting board and allow to rest for approximately 1 minute.
Using a sharp bread knife, slice each toastie diagonally to reveal the layers of smoked ham, melted cheese and Black Garlic Mustard.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
Arrange the warm toasties on serving plates or a wooden board.
Serve immediately with extra Noosa Black Garlic Mustard and a few cornichons on the side.
For a complete café-style lunch, add a simple green salad or a bowl of roasted tomato soup.
Noosa Black Garlic Tip
For the ultimate Black Garlic Mustard toastie, use a generous spread of mustard on both inside surfaces of the sourdough.
Cooking the toastie slowly over medium-low heat is the secret to perfectly melted cheese and a beautifully crisp, golden exterior without burning the bread.
This recipe is also a delicious way to use leftover Christmas ham. For an extra gourmet twist, add a little caramelised onion or a few thin slices of fresh pear.
Why We Love This Recipe
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the most satisfying, especially when you start with beautiful ingredients.
Our Noosa Black Garlic Mustard takes the classic ham and cheese toastie to another level, introducing gentle mustard warmth and the rich, savoury complexity of aged black garlic.
The mustard perfectly balances the smoky ham, creamy melted Gruyère and sharpness of the cornichons, creating a deliciously indulgent flavour combination.
Golden, crunchy, cheesy and absolutely irresistible. This is gourmet comfort food at its very best.
Products Used:
-
Noosa Black Garlic Mustard