Monday, July 16, 2012

Tomato Sliders

If there is anything better this side of heaven, I don't know about it. I'm talking about a thick slice of a ripe, red summer tomato on crusty bread with smear of good mayonnaise and plenty of salt and pepper. It's so simple, but it just couldn't be any better. It's simplicity is its perfection.

In our family, we love tomato sandwiches so much that we typically have a party once a year to celebrate the abundance of juicy tomatoes. You don't need much more than bread, tomatoes, and a few cold drinks. Set a tray of these out at your next summertime get-together and watch your guests swoon.

1 whole wheat baguette (about 24 inches)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
8 medium tomatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil mayonnaise (like Spectrum)
Maldon sea salt flakes
cracked black pepper

Turn the broiler on high. Slice the baguette into 32 little rounds. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Melt the butter in the microwave for 30 seconds, and then brush the tops of the baguette slices with the melted butter. Toast the buttered side of the baguette slices for only 10-30 seconds or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and set aside.

Slice the tomatoes into 1/4-inch slices reserving the tops and bottoms for another use. (We used them in this.) Slather half of the baguette slices with olive oil mayonnaise. Be generous -- this is no time for calorie counting! Top each one of those slices with a thick tomato slice. Add salt and pepper to each slice of tomato according to your own taste. Top your sandwiches with the remaining baguette slices, secure with a toothpick, and serve. (Makes 16 sliders.)

7 comments:

Eileen said...

This is the perfect simple sandwich for summer--and one of the best ways ever to eat real in-season tomatoes. :) LOVE.

Avery said...

I've been browsing your blog all day and i love the recipes and can't wait to try them. The problem is my parents aren't really supportive of me being a vegetarian. Sometimes at dinner they make me eat meat which makes me sick to my stomach. Any ideas to get them on board with the idea?

The Chubby Vegetarian said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Chubby Vegetarian said...

We will be serving these as one of our passed apps at our TCV dinner at Napa Café, Saturday, July 21! Call 901.683.0441 to make your res.

($65 + tax and gratuity / 6 courses with wine pairings from Frederick Wildman)

The Chubby Vegetarian said...

Avery,

I had the same problem with my parents. Luckily, I had backup. My two brothers and I all went veg at the same time. There were a few meals in which we were forced to eat meat, but my resolve won out in the end. Explain to them that you are eating a vegetarian diet for health reason and the environment. What could be so wrong with that? Tell them you love them and want them to eat their veg too.

tender b. said...

That's rough Avery. Hope you can convince them. Love how easy these appetizers seem to be.

Anonymous said...

Avery, I feel so bad that your parents are not being supportive. How old are you and what are their reasons for thinking you need to eat meat? I am now 30 and have been vegetarian since I was 13. I guess I was very lucky that my parents were very understanding and supportive when I made the decision. I think it also helped that my dad is a pediatrician, so he always made sure I continued to eat a nutritionally balanced diet. Have you ever tried sitting down with your parents and having a mature discussion about it? It's possible that they might just think it's only a phase for you and you'll grow out of it in a few months. If you really just don't like meat and feel like it might be a permanent change for you, then try to explain that to them.

Try to do some research about nutrients that are commonly received through meat and find out what replacement foods you would be able to eat to receive the same nutrients.

Also, maybe they don't feel like they should have to make a separate meal for you and that you should just eat whatever the rest of the family is eating. If this is the case, then maybe you can be more of a part in the food shopping (including helping pay for some vegetarian options, like tofu or veggie burgers) and food preparations.

I hope that I might have been helpful.

Melanie