Heirloom Tomato Sandwich
1 Serving

Heirloom Tomato

There is everyday magic in a summer garden. Walk outside, pick a cherry tomato off the vine, pop it in your mouth and bite down gently. No better candy in the world.

That sweet magic can appear again in the simplest of summer sandwiches. All it takes is good fresh bread, homemade mayonnaise and a sliced heirloom tomato.

Hint

1. Heirloom tomatoes soften (over ripen) quickly so don’t let them sit around. If you are fortunate enough to have them in your own garden, pick one at 11:30 for a noon sandwich. If they come from a market, try to eat them within two days.
2. Refrigerating tomatoes slows or stops the sugar development and toughens the skin. Treat heirloom and other tomatoes like the delicacies that they are.
3. To avoid wet sandwiches, let tomato slices drain on paper towel before putting them on bread.
4. This simple sandwich is all about the tomato. It needs good, fresh bread, preferably one that does not have too strong a crust.

Ingredients

2 or 3 slices heirloom tomato, drained
2 slices fresh artisan bread
Homemade mayonnaise
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Procedure

1. Spread mayonnaise sparingly on each slice of bread. Place drained tomato slices on one slice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. For maximum tomato flavor I make two layers of tomato. Top tomatoes with the other piece of bread and, slice the sandwich delicately to avoid smashing the tomato.
2. Eat slowly and relish every succulent bite.
   

   Heirloom Tomato Sandwich