Cheese – I used a mix of cheddar and red leicester, weirdly brie works well too
butter
pickles – don't fight it
kimchi – you don't need to make it, you can get it most places now.
Steps
Slice your bread. It's a sandwich.
Grate some cheese, or crumble it, or slice it, whatever form makes it possible to load up a toastie or two
Dig out your kimchi, try to keep it relatively sauceless. If you've got the whole leaf kind, chop it up a little
Butter one side of the bread slices (the slices that will touch the pan)
Scatter a layer of cheese on the unbuttered side of one slice
Scatter a layer of kimchi on top of that
Finish it with another layer of cheese. The point is to sandwich the kimchi between cheese.
Put the other bit of bread on it, butter facing outwards. I know, it's messy, but the result is all the better for it.
Place in a hot frying pan or a grill pan or if you're a fancy cunt like me, the griddle plate.
Let it sizzle
Every now and then use a spatula to peak at the underside, when it's the desired about of fried, gently flip.
Gently!
Do the same for this side.
When toasty and delicious, cut at a fancy jaunty angle and stack like you mean it.
Tips
Serve with pickles, it's salty and the sharpness will be delightful
Pair with cheap lager or fancy champagne
You can use mayo instead of butter, I think the Americans do that
Only use cheese that melts well, and if it's not melting, you can turn the heat off and cover it with a lid or something
If you've got a burger weight thing, use that, if not you can put some tinfoil or grease proof paper on top and stack some plates. It's not necessary but the squish will make it crispier
If you've got 3+ weeks of time ahead of this fucking masterpiece, make your own kimchi. Recipe to follow in the future maybe.
