My husband keeps talking about us only having four more weeks of summer. He's said it at least three times in as many days. It's driving me crazy, actually.
I stomp my foot at him in protest (he loves when I do that) and tell him to stop being such an alarmist.
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Summer's Favorite Sandwich, Photo: NK  |
Come on now, people - summer doesn't actually end on Labor Day!
It's quite a rare occurrence that my other half takes the glass half empty role. I'm usually the one with the pessimistic outlook (or as I like to call it, "being a realist"), but when it comes to summer, my favorite season of them all, I am in full-on denial. Loath to admit it though I may be, I will grant him that summer is going way too fast. So until all that glorious sun yields to the chill of Autumn, I'll be doing all I can to live in moment. That's right, I will relish the feeling of my toes wiggling freely in all their flip-flopped glory as I head out into the balmy air in full frolic mode every chance I get. Clearly, I also will be eating every fresh Tomato and ear of Corn I can get my hands on.
For me, there is truly only one sandwich that embodies the essence of summer and everything simple and wonderful about the season -- the much talked about, much loved Tomato and Mayonnaise Sandwich. (Check out a few of my favorite meditations on the subject HERE, HERE and HERE).
Today, we'll be paying homage to this seasonal icon with our own take on the classic. We add a semi-controversial lettuce leaf for texture, and, though regular Mayo works really well (Hellman's full-fat, please!), we take ours up a notch with lots of finely minced Parsley and a touch of Oregano from my garden and, here's the topper - a game-changing sprinkle of Lemon Zest. Make this satisfying sandwich and extend your summer that much longer.
The Must Haves:
Super Ripe Beefsteak Tomatoes - luckily, they're at peak season and everywhere
Good Quality Mayo
Good Quality Mayo
A Hint of Salt (we prefer Kosher Salt or Sea Salt)
Black Pepper - lots
and finally
and finally
Good Quality Toasted White Bread - I know, I know, but if ever you should return to White Bread, it's here.
Here we go -
Tomato and Herbed Mayo Sandwich
Makes 2 Sandwiches
Ingredients:
4 Slices of Toasted White Bread
1 Beefsteak Tomato sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds
2-4 Leaves of Oak Leaf Lettuce
Kosher Salt or Sea Salt
Lots of Black Pepper
Lots of Black Pepper
Herb Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Italian Parsley, very finely minced
1 Tablespoon Oregano, very finely minced
Zest of 1 Lemon
1/4 Cup Mayonnaise
Method:
Mix the Herb Mayonnaise ingredients together in a small bowl.
Spread one side of the bread with a generous amount of Herb Mayonnaise. On the other piece of Bread, lay down a Lettuce Leaf and two or more slices of Tomato. Sprinkle Tomato with a good dose of Salt and lots of Black Pepper. Place the Mayonnaise half on top and close up the sandwich. Enjoy!
