- Sigourney Weaver’s favorite snack is a Cheddar cheese and tomato sandwich on toast.
- She ate the simple sandwich after a stressful screen test before landing her Alien role.
- Make your own Cheddar-tomato toastie with our favorite recipe for Cheese Dreams.
The now-iconic Colbert Questionert recently question(erted) an icon: the incomparable Sigourney Weaver, who you might know from the Alien and Avatar franchises, among others. Promoting her latest performance in Avatar: Fire and Ash, Weaver appeared with Stephen Colbert on his late night show and was tested by the comedian on all kinds of deep and soulful questions, such as: What is the best sandwich?
“My favorite is a Cheddar cheese and tomato on white toast,” Weaver shared. (We’re right there with her—one of our favorite snacks is a classic Cheese Dream on whole-wheat bread.)
Now, that might sound like a delightful and comforting answer all on its own, but Weaver’s reason for the positive association with the sandwich dates back to her time auditioning for Alien, which would eventually cement her as a huge movie star.
“I had just finished doing a long day of scenes from Alien in my screen test,” Weaver shared. While she’d done a run-through of the scenes and was the only one in the running, Weaver didn’t yet know if she’d booked the part of Ripley, the hero of the movie.
“I got back to my hotel room,” she said, “and I was so starving, and that’s the sandwich I ordered and it was the most delicious food I’ve ever had in my life.”
So, while the love of the sandwich is tied to an intense memory, Weaver still loves a good Cheddar-tomato sandwich. She didn’t specify if it was a grilled Cheddar sandwich or just served on warm toast, but the simple meal can be enjoyed either way. For a grilled tomato sandwich, follow our guide for Grilled Cheese with Spinach & Tomato and forgo the spinach if you like, though we love getting in our leafy greens. We also love opting for whole-grain bread and a highly flavorful cheese. Grill using butter, mayo or Tillamook’s Butternaise, if you’re a grilled cheese pro.
There are many types of Cheddar, but the easiest choice for a quick snack would be to get pre-cut slices. Choose mild to sharp according to your preference, or mix and match for more nuance. Unexpected Cheddar from Trader Joe’s is a bit stronger than most pre-sliced cheese and would be delicious with ripe tomatoes. You can also choose a cheddar with herbs or other flavorings, such as a Cotswold cheese.
For tomatoes, choosing the best one for your sandwich comes down to personal preference. Several types of heirloom tomatoes offer rich, complex flavor. Beefsteak tomatoes would add some heft to the sandwich. Roma, which are on the smaller side, would also be great, especially if you’re just making one serving.
Weaver didn’t find out she’d booked the role while eating the sandwich, unfortunately, but she did, of course, go on to play Ripley in several Alien movies. The nostalgic sandwich continues to be her favorite to this day—and it might just become one of your favorites, too.
