Cheese and tomatoes

I'm a great believer in the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". Just such an example of this is my Dad's grilled cheese and tomatoes. My Dad used to work quite late so my mum, my sister and I often had our evening meal before he got home. When he came back, no doubt he was ravenous, and he grabbed ingredients which needed little time to cook but provided instant gratification. His absolute favourite was grilled cheese and tomatoes. He had a battered old oven proof dish which he would fill with sliced cheese (usually cheddar, and he didn't bother to grate it), sliced tomatoes, and a dash of white pepper. It would go under the grill until the cheese melted and became golden on the surface. He used to eat this straight from the little dish it was cooked in (saves on the washing up!) alongside a nice chunk of bread.

I remember the smell of this cheese and tomato feast wafting upstairs. I would often go downstairs and sit with my Dad while he ate. He would let me dunk some of the bread into the melting cheese, and I just remember how heavenly it was. It was perfectly simple family food. Something to share (although I presume his intention was to eat it himself - and quite rightly!)

My plan is to make this for Christmas Eve lunch, just as I am settling into the relaxation and indulgence of Christmas. It requires so little effort, and so few ingredients, but its rewards are great.