UK's 'cheapest meal' is toast sandwich, say scientists

Scientists have named the toast sandwich as the UK's cheapest meal.

Costing 7.5 pence, The Royal Society of Chemistry is offering £200 to anybody who can prove there is a more cost-effective alternative.

Describing the recipe, Dr John Emsley is quoted by BBC News as saying: "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 (330) as well as money, provided you only have one toast sandwich for lunch and nothing else."

The simple recipe, first promoted by Victorian food writer Mrs Beeton, turns 150 years old next month.

Emsley added: "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."