Thursday, July 11, 2013

Building the Classic Tomato Sandwich


I'm sure that all of you have noticed that we have been blessed with rain for the past two and a half weeks.  At first we were all afraid to utter the dire "rain rain go away" for fear that it would, and not come back all summer.  Now as I get up each morning to check for gills and webbed toes, even this morning I found myself casting an incautious accusing eye to the sky as the clouds built up to an explosive burst of rain. I figured shaking my fist at the sky would be going to far, so kept my arm by my side. And why does all this rain bother me so much?  It is because of what some may call the lowly sandwich, but what is actually the King of the Summer, the Tomato Sandwish...yes, I said SANDWISH!
As soon as the first warm day of March hits, I start dreaming about that first tomato sandwich of summer.  Mac has already planted the seeds of my dreams in small pots in a little greenhouse we call  "heaven" since that is from where all good things come.  We Southerners dream of that tomato sandwich made with that tomato that comes from our own or a relatives garden.  The bright red skin, the glistening of the juices, the sparkle of salt and the haze of pepper as it rests on a Duke's Mayonnaise slathered slice of bread and a similar slice lying along side, the mayo thick and tempting.  I know, that is the queen of the run on sentence, but how can you not run on about the Tomato Sandwich?
            
So we have been watching the tomato plants for weeks now and the rain keeps falling.  I hate the thought of rain damaged fruits out there but finally spied the first wonderful tomato just before the 4th of July.  I carried it in reverently, gently eased it into a pot of boiling water, removing it quickly.  I slipped the skin off and stood looking at the awesomeness.  My eyes teared up.  Then I quickly shook off that "in the presence of greatness" moment and got out the bread, the mayo and the salt and pepper. I cut one thick slice then stood back and admired my handiwork.  Thinking what a great photo op this was, I grabbed my camera and took the shot.  Then I devoured that little gift from heaven in thirty seconds.
That photo was so beautiful that I posted it on Face book with the caption Gone In Thirty Seconds.  The remarks were so blatantly envious I had to laugh.  That was one big tomato slice after all, and this was one glorious Sink Sandwich...you know, so juicy and messy you have to stand over the sink to eat it.  One remark puzzled me greatly.  My pal Lee asked this question, "is there wine vinegar in there?"  In caps I answered her: NO THERE IS DUKES MAYO BUNNY BREAD SALT AND PEPPER AND NOTHING ELSE CAUSE ITS A TOMATO SANDWICH NOT A DANGED SALAD!  She later asked me if I could rethink the caps, because it sounded like I was shouting at her.  Forgive her, she's a Texan.  She should absolutely KNOW I WAS shouting at her.  I would fight for my tomato sandwich...wouldn't you?

13 comments:

Vee said...

Vinegar? Please don't yell at me, but why the plunge into boiling water? No. No. That's not the real question. Why the need to remove the skin? I am pea green with envy. I have a few tomatoes in my wee garden and they are also wee and may actually resemble a pea. So it will be awhile.

Ahhh...you're in the soup, too. Sigh.

RachelD said...

I've been dropping in via Beach Kat lately, and today---well, today, I am AT HOME. (no raised voice, just emphasis of the nicest kind).

Our cool Spring and bit of Summer have held the local crop a bit behind, I think, but we've been finding some bread-sized beauties in various little outdoor markets. And the Duke's---I'll have to look where you are, for it's a staple in our Indiana pantry (a couple of cases picked up on every trip South, and it's figured prominently on Lawn Tea over the years).

I've heard that it's not quite the done thing to offer your own URL when first commenting on another's blog, but this just feels like stepping to your door and proffering an old family portrait as credentials:

http://lawntea.blogspot.com/2011/07/well-at-last.html

Looking forward to returning to delve into your charming archives,

rachel

Justabeachkat said...

You've got my mouth watering! There is absolutely NOTHING like a stand over the sink tomato sandwich.

BTW - It's raining here...again...today :-(

Big hugs,
Kat

Terri Steffes said...

Dang. I cannot wait for my one tomato to be ready. I am not going to share it with Bob, even.

Sally said...

Love tomato sandwiches; nothing better unless bacon and lettuce.

Sandi, please don't hate me, but we were brought up on Hellman's! And, I was so glad when they came out with Hellman's made with olive oil. I know I'm a quirk but I'm sure there are other things we can agree on. :)

xoxo

Penny Carlson said...

MY mouth is watering. Our tomatoes are still green and I am hoping that all this rain does not cause rot. Some of my leaves turned yellow and died, but I still have tons of tomatoes...

Anonymous said...

Duke's.....yeah! No tomatoes for us yet....just lots of blooms and lots of rain just like you. I was down and over your way the last couple of days. :)

ancient one said...

I think we had our first tomato last week and have been eating them regularly now and have shared some.. I like Miracle Whip on mine.. but my cousin likes Duke..

SandyCarlson said...

That sounds good, even if I don't know anything about that kind of mayo!
I love cheese and tomato sandwiches, but I am going to try this one.

www.retiredandcrazy.com said...

Pass me some kitchen roll Sandy, I'm dribbling!

Donna said...

I can't think of Anything better (well, maybe fried chicken...Hahaaaa)!
We leave the skin on here in Texas!Hahaaa
hughugs

Brian Miller said...

oh goodness...you are speaking my language now...tomato sandwiches are one of the best things about summer....my great uncle taught me to love them...we used to pick them off the vine and he would have me make them for him....a little salt n pepper...mmmm num num....

Carver said...

There's nothing like a tomato sandwich fresh from the garden.