Ham & Cheese Toastie with Maple Hot Sauce

For the maple hot sauce

• 2tbsp unsalted butter
• 2tbsp plain flour
• 500ml milk
• ½ tsp chilli flakes
• 3 tbsp pure maple syrup (preferably amber maple syrup for its rich taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the maple butter

• 2tbsp unsalted butter
• 1tbsp pure maple syrup (preferably amber maple syrup for its rich taste)
• 2 pinches chilli flakes

For the toastie

• 8 slices of good quality sliced bread
• 4 slices of ham
• 4 slices of your favourite cheddar

To make the maple hot sauce

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over a medium heat. Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon to form a roux, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes or until mixture bubbles.
2. Gradually whisk in the milk, a little at a time.
3. Add chilli flakes and maple syrup.
4. Keep stirring and cook for 5 minutes or until mixture thickens.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Keep aside.

For the maple butter mix

1. Melt butter, maple syrup and chilli flakes in a pan then keep aside.

Assembly

1. Preheat oven to 200°c.
2. With a pastry brush, spread butter mix onto 8 bread slices.
3. Fill 4 bread slices with maple hot sauce, ham, and cheese slices.
4. Cover sandwiches with the remaining bread slices.
5. Put the toasties between two flat baking trays and cook for 8 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, in the oven.