Thread: Toast sandwich is UK's 'cheapest meal'

16 November 2011 Last updated at 12:25 ET

Toast sandwich is UK's 'cheapest meal'

The meal was recreated by a chef at the RSC on Wednesday. Continue

Britain's 'cheapest' lunchtime meal was unveiled by scientists on Wednesday - the toast sandwich.

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is reviving the mid-Victorian dish, which, unsurprisingly, consists of two slices of bread around a slice of toast.

The society is so confident in the repast, it will offer £200 to anyone who can create a cheaper alternative.

The meal, costing 7.5 pence, was first promoted by Victorian food writer Mrs Beeton.

It is taken from Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management which became a best-seller after its appearance 150 years ago next month.

To celebrate that anniversary, the RSC decided to focus on meals that reflected "stern days" to come in Britain, rather than one of the book's many "table-groaning creations".

The meal was recreated by a chef at the RSC on Wednesday and offered to people outside their London offices.

The RSC's Dr John Emsley said: "You simply put a piece of dry toast between two slices of bread and butter, with salt and pepper to taste. I've tried it and it's surprisingly nice to eat and quite filling.

"I would emphasise that toast sandwiches are also good at saving you calories as well as money, provided you only have one toast sandwich for lunch and nothing else."

The toast sandwich provides about 330 calories, and consumers could opt for the healthier alternative of margarine instead of butter - an ingredient not available to Mrs Beeton because she was writing her book before it was invented.

"Of course, when we finally emerge from these dark days we will seek something more celebratory from Mrs Beeton's pantheon of rich recipes to welcome back the good times," Dr Emsley added.

RSC employee Jon Edwards said: "In my student days I thought a meal of '9p noodles' from Tesco was the epitome of thrift - but a toast sandwich is tastier, quicker, has more calories and comes in at just 7.5p."

Mr Edwards added that the 21st Century version of the toast sandwich is healthier than the one from Mrs Beeton's era because of the vitamins and minerals - such as calcium - that are added to bread today.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15752918

The society is so confident in the repast, it will offer £200 to anyone who can create a cheaper alternative.

I've got one. It is called the Air and Toastess Sandwich. You take two slices of bread and surround an air pocket with it, and then consume. It is cheaper because you eliminate the slice of toast. It also has 1/3 less calories. So, when do I get my 200 British Pounds?

Originally Posted by 4thHorseman

The society is so confident in the repast, it will offer £200 to anyone who can create a cheaper alternative.

I've got one. It is called the Air and Toastess Sandwich. You take two slices of bread and surround an air pocket with it, and then consume. It is cheaper because you eliminate the slice of toast. It also has 1/3 less calories. So, when do I get my 200 British Pounds?

I've got you beat.
Mine has 1/2 as many calories as the original, and cost less.
It's called the Half Toast Sandwich.
One slice of bread around 1/2 slice of toast.

OK. I give up unless you will accept the high fiber, low carbohydrate Paper Toast sandwich. Two pieces of paper cut and colored to look like toast (sort of like margarine and butter, cream and coffeemate etc.)

Originally Posted by 4thHorseman

OK. I give up unless you will accept the high fiber, low carbohydrate Paper Toast sandwich. Two pieces of paper cut and colored to look like toast (sort of like margarine and butter, cream and coffeemate etc.)

The judges have disqualified this entry.
It must be real food.