Grilled tomato sandwiches serve as a straightforward yet delicious lunch or light dinner selection, particularly when accompanied by a robust bowl of soup. Despite their ease of preparation, there exists a significant error that shadows the making of this dish — a blunder that can diminish the rich taste of the components. To guarantee your forthcoming tomato sandwich resonates with perfection, Mashed contacted Michelle Wallace, proprietor and founder of B’tween Sandwich Co., for some exclusive professional insights.
“I believe one of the most significant errors is excessively toasting your bread,” Wallace points out. When toasting, striving for a crispy yet flexible texture is generally the ideal approach. However, you should avoid making the bread too tender, as it may fail under the weight of the juicy tomatoes.
In this scenario, Wallace suggests “gently toasting the bread in a sauté pan instead of a toaster or toaster oven.” This technique grants you greater control over the degree of toasting, which can assist you in evading both under- and over-toasting while crafting a tomato sandwich.
Ideal toast for tomato sandwiches
Michelle Wallace emphasizes why excessive toasting of bread can lead to catastrophe in the realm of homemade tomato sandwiches. She notes that overly toasted bread can be “harsh to the roof of the mouth,” a sensation that is widely disliked. We also contend that you’ve likely been toasting incorrectly your entire life by opting for a toaster instead of a skillet, but utilizing the correct method is essential.
Start by generously spreading ample amounts of salted butter across the bread slices. Ensure every inch is covered from edge to edge. Following that, position your skillet over medium-low heat and add the bread slices. Make sure the buttered side comes into contact with the heated surface. Typically, it only requires a few minutes for the bread to become properly toasted, so remain attentive.
There are numerous delightful methods to elevate a tomato sandwich, such as incorporating an unexpected ingredient like cottage cheese or soaking the tomatoes in vinegar and spices. Nonetheless, achieving the right bread texture ensures that your sandwich possesses a sturdy foundation.
