Even with only three ingredients, a sandwich can go in an impressive number of directions. You could lean sweet and make the British classic sugar, butty, which Paul McCartney has a soft spot for. You could recreate the favorite of acting duo Martin Short and Steve Martin: a tuna sandwich with Dijon mustard. Or you could really go rogue and try the peculiar pineapple-and-mayo combo loved by country star Alan Jackson.
But for us? We like to keep things simple. Our perfect sandwich is nothing too fussy, chef-y, or over-the-top, but something that always delivers a hefty dose of comfort. And apparently, Nicole Kidman agrees.
Nicole Kidman’s Favorite Sandwich
When Kidman stopped by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, she was asked during the Colbert “Questionert” what the best sandwich is. Her first response was the kind of thing you might expect from the Australian actress: a “salad sandwich,” packed with beetroot, tomato, lettuce, and onion.
But her second (and final) answer told us more about her comfort food side. As it turns out, her favorite sandwich is the cheesy staple beloved across Australia: a cheese-and-tomato toastie.
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For the uninitiated, a toastie is just the British (and Aussie) way of saying a toasted sandwich. In Australia, you’ll also hear them called jaffles. Basically, it’s what Americans know as a grilled cheese—only with tomato slices tucked inside.
The cheese-and-tomato toastie is such a staple Down Under, you’ll even find it on the McDonald’s menu. The Cheese & Tomato Toastie you’ll find at the drive-thru comes buttered, pressed, and golden brown, with gooey cheese and warm tomato slices. Plenty of Aussie dishes haven’t quite crossed over to the American palate (looking at you, Vegemite), but this one absolutely does.
Now, we certainly know our way around a grilled cheese—from choosing the right bread to experimenting with the best one-ingredient flavor hacks—and we have to say, slipping in a few slices of ripe tomato might just be the simplest way to level up the whole experience, especially when tomatoes are in season.
As for the cheese, Kidman didn’t reveal which variety she prefers, but Cheddar is the traditional choice for a toastie. Its sharp, tangy flavor balances perfectly with sweet, juicy tomato. Of course, if you wanted to take it up a notch, you could easily make a case for Gouda or Havarti.
So, the next time you’re craving a quick, three-ingredient comfort meal, know you’re in excellent company. Better yet, if you want to bump it up to four ingredients and splash in a little Worcestershire sauce, you’ll have yourself the Harrison Ford special.
