Introducing the summer darling of the American South: the tomato sandwich. A prime example that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, this sandwich truly is meant to be composed of white sandwich bread, mayonnaise, and the juiciest heirloom tomatoes available. As an incredibly simple lunch, this sandwich can stand alone, but it would also be delightful served with pasta salad, a cup of soup, or some spiced-up potato chips.
What goes into a tomato sandwich?
This recipe, at its core, has three ingredients. Simple white sandwich bread forms the base. Pick out sturdy country white bread that won’t fall apart. Or, toast the bread for an even more textured sandwich. Thick-sliced heirloom tomatoes make up the bulk of this sandwich. Have fun with the tomato colors! Choose tomatoes with a sweet, earthy scent that give a little bit when squeezed, like a just under-ripe peach. To put this sandwich over the top, incredibly flavorful garlic aioli replaces the usual mayonnaise.
Do you have to make your own mayonnaise or garlic aioli for a tomato sandwich?
While making mayonnaise at home is fun and endlessly customizable, sometimes hunger strikes too soon to go through the process. Doctor up a cup of store-bought mayonnaise by whisking in 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice (or any vinegar), 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper. After folding in the chopped basil, this mayonnaise will taste like it’s homemade!
Can you make a tomato sandwich ahead of time?
While the garlic aioli can be made up to 4 days in advance, this sandwich should be eaten immediately after assembly. Because of the juiciness of fresh tomatoes, assembling the sandwiches ahead of time and packing them in a lunch box or a picnic basket might result in soggy sandwiches. However, packing everything up separately and assembling them on-site leaves room for each sandwich maker to customize their own! Some might go for a simple sprinkling of salt and pepper while others might opt for a slice of cheese, bacon, or a sliced hard-boiled egg. Have some chips or snack mix handy for a nice crunchy accompaniment, but don’t forget: the tomato is the star of the show!
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- Yields:
- 6 serving(s)
- Prep Time:
- 5 mins
- Total Time:
- 5 mins
Ingredients
- 1 c.
- 2 tbsp.
chopped fresh basil leaves
- 12
slices white sandwich bread
- 2 lb.
heirloom tomatoes
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Nutrition Information
- Per Serving (Serves 6)
- Calories455 Fat33 gSaturated fat5 gTrans fat0 gCholesterol15 mgSodium580 mgCarbohydrates30 gFiber4 gSugar7 gProtein8 gVitamin D0 mcgCalcium93 mgIron3 mgPotassium453 mg
- Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.Powered by
Directions
- Step 1In a medium bowl, combine the garlic aioli with the basil. Spread the mixture on one side of all the bread slices (there may be some leftover spread).
- Step 2Slice the tomatoes into 1/4-inch slices. Place the slices on the aioli side of 6 slices of bread, overlapping as necessary. Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper. Place the other 6 slices of bread, aioli side down, on the tomatoes.
- Step 3Serve immediately.
Tip: Switch up your herbs with parsley or dill!
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