Is it just me or are tomatoes just everywhere. I am finding little mom and pop stands on every street corner selling them, they have graced the cover of every magazine I pass by and more importantly I have a pleather full of them in my backyard. My tomato plant just keeps going and going like the energizer bunny! I have used my tomatoes in endlessly in a variety of dishes (that I have yet to share because I have been lazy) but I think one of the best ways I used my lovely tomato friend is with my Caprese Open Faced Sandwich. I think the reason I love it so much is because it is EASY, it is SIMPLE, it requires a very small amount of heating time and it brings out the best flavor in each of the components. With a handful of ingredients it is by far one of the best ways to enjoy this delicious summer fruit (or might I say veggie- I know this subject can be controversial with some:)) LOL!
Back to the sandwich. It is a masterpiece of fresh flavors and the perfect way to welcome the summer. This sandwich has juicy fresh tomatoes with basil pesto, fresh basil leaves and fresh mozzarella cheese all nicely stacked on a load of toasted bread and broiled. A sprinkling of sea salt (none other will do) and cracked black pepper (again none other will do) is a MUST as it helps brings out the slight charness (yes I am aware that is not a real word!) and flavor of the basil and tomatoes. The KEY here is the roasted garlic cloves. No one wants a big bite of chopped garlic in their mouth and I only use garlic powder when it is a must in a recipe so I thought to myself how do I get that garlic flavor in this sandwich? Then it hit me. I will roast the garlic cloves in the oven then take the cloves and rub the bread down with the them so with each bite you get that roasted garlic flavor. There is really no other way to do this sandwich- it is the secret ingredient- that is if you are going the caprese route. Another great thing about this sandwich is it lends itself to so many different types of ingredients you can’t go wrong. Need meat? Then go ahead and add in a layer of prosciutto or chopped grilled chicken. Don’t like basil- substitute it with chopped thyme or rosemary or parsley. Not into mozzarella- live dangerously and use pepper jack slices or a wonderful variety of Mexican cheese. Regardless what your “preferences” are make sure to indulge in the beauty of tomatoes before it’s too late!
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 5-6 fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup pesto
- 2 or 3 ripe roma or beefsteak tomatoes
- 5-6 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp each of sea salt and cracked black pepper
- 1 loaf of a hearty crusty baguette or French bread
- Roast the garlic cloves in the oven at 375 for 10-12 minutes. Remove and allow to cool. Slice the bread in half and rub both halves down with the roasted garlic. Drizzle with a touch of evvo and broil until slightly golden brown but not too much because you are going to put everything back into the oven soon to melt the cheese.
- Brush the bread with the pesto then add a layer of the basil leaves. Next add on the slices of cheese and finally top with the slices of tomatoes. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper and place back in the oven for another 5-6 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Hey girl! I love open faced tomato sandwiches as well and this one looks amazing with all of that melty cheese, pesto and those vibrant red tomatoes. My favorite open face sandwich is my grilled heirloom tomato bruschetta. I make it all the time for lunch and serve it up with a kale salad or my fave heirloom tomato soup. It’s just so easy to make and is a great way to make use of all of those summer tomatoes.
I’m right there with you on categorizing a tomato in the veggie family. I’m sorry but tomatoes don’t taste like fruit to me and when I’m downing a bowl of heirloom tomato soup, I would like to think that I’m getting in some veggies rather than downing a bowl of fruit. There are so many health benefits to tomatoes, so lets just pretend that they are in the veggie family.
I love all of your smiley faces because it just shows who you are and how excited you get! I would put more in my posts, but when I do they make my font all weird so I just use tons of exclamation points instead 🙂 Have blissful week girl and enjoy those soccer games 🙂 xoxo, Jackie
Jackie I have seen your heirloom tomato soup and each time I say I must make it! It looks delicious and the perfect compliment tons nice big grilled cheese:)
Beautiful, simple, and delicious! All my favorite things 🙂
Our tomatoes are just about gone, but the basil is the energizer bunny in our garden. Fabulous sandwich. I could eat this morning, noon and night.
Sam
Oh, you can never go wrong with caprese ingredients! Great idea!
We love these sandwiches, simple and delicious without a lot of fuss, especially when we are too tired to make a big meal. These sandwiches are our go-to for a quick and easy meal. Love it! It reminds us of summer all over again, even though its quickly ending.
Have a great week! xxoo Anna and Liz
Perfection! Popping them in the oven to lightly roast the tomatoes while the mozzarella melts really puts this sandwich over-the-top. I need to get me some mozzarella. Thanks!
I am kinda crazy when it comes to tomatoes and cheese. I can’t eat tomatoes along with cheese unless the cheese is melted:) lol!! Weird huh?
This sandwich looks great! We are big on soups and sandwiches at my place and can imagine how everyone will relish this one. Going to give it a try. It’s beautiful!
Dreamy sandwich!!!
Well Jessica, you can’t just make a sandwich like this and not invent some type of way we could all eat it through the PC screen LOL. I love this.
Well now wouldn’t that be the coolest thing ever! I swear one day our kids will be able to do just that. Technology keeps changing so much!
I have been dreaming of baking something like this using baby mozzarella, love the combination of homemade pesto and tomatoes. So simple but tasty!
I am drooling over your sandwich. love the combo cheese, tomatoes and pesto.
The sandwiches look great…very fresh, seasonal and delicious!
Tomatoes, pesto and cheese are a match made in heaven!
I love open faced sandwiches! And this is such a fun way to eat a caprese…all that melty cheese….mmm.
I love tomatoes, especially cherry tomatoes! The sandwich looks delicious! And with pesto, delish!
Definitely a masterpiece! I had our first ripe (cherry) tomato today so fingers crossed that it’s a good summer for us.
Oh I keep forgetting its not summer there yet! Crossing my fingers you have a beautiful season
all the above ideas sounds great, just reaidng it makes me hungry! i dont know how you did the smiley face here in your posts, anyway when i see that emoticon, it makes me smile too ..okay, here’s one :)))))
Another winner in my books Jessica and simply gorgeous too. I adore roasted tomatoes with pesto and fresh mozzarella cheese. Looks like a perfect lunch any way you look at it.
Yum I love it and Im not even a tomato person so I would do no tomatoes an I know it will still be great. I added your recipes again to my kids school cookbook and gave you credit and also added your website.
Im looking for new camera lens are you using a 50mm?
Oh thanks so much Kelly! I can always count on you can’t I? Your like my cheerleader and I sooo appreciate it!
This sounds amazing.
Caprese on an open face sandwich looks so so tempting! Boy, I’m gonna miss summer so much 😀
To me, the cheese and tomato with pesto is the perfect match! Something about an open sandwich that makes it so appealing- quick and easy meal.
spectacular photographs of the caprese open-face! I could just reach into the screen and grab that sandwich.
tomatoes still abound in our southerly neighborhood, too…you gotta enjoy them in these last weeks of summer—transitioning into fall.
Thanks nancy! I’m sad to see summer go but so looking forward to the fall! Can we say pumpkin:) lol
D I V I N E!
Oh you’ve taken my favorite salad and kicked it up a notch! That looks like heaven on a plate to me. I would eat that every night if I could. I’ll be making this one ASAP!!!
We looove pesto yet haven’t tried using it for open face sandwich like this. Totally delicious pictures. I have to pin this and remember to make it!
This looks just incredible. I can’t get enough tomatoes…I never want summer to end!
—-Yes, tomatoes are everywhere….& you just made a masterpiece!
Fabuuuuuuuuuulous! Xx
This is easily my favorite summer sandwich! Love that you roasted garlic for it. Great idea!
This caprese has my name all over it.
Lovely sandwich – and I could eat that everyday. Can’t wait for our garden tomatoes!
I love everything caprese. This sandwich looks just amazing!
Love simple food that tastes amazing! One hour to the lunch time…and this looks fantastic right now!! Roasted garlic makes it extra flavorful for sure. I got to make this soon… your delicious photos will be stuck in my head. Really looking yummy!
Tomatoes are just now starting to taste like tomatoes so this post comes right at the perfect time. I love a caprese salad so I’m sure I would love this simple sandwich. Nicely done.
Here in New England, we have to wait until late July or August before we get beautiful vine ripe tomatoes. Your caprese sandwich has me looking forward to summer. 🙂