Refreshing Open Sandwich

A deliciously quick and easy lunch

It's funny to think that when considering what to enjoy for lunch that my mind wondered onto the tomato. Indeed, the idea of delving into a delicious yet simple open tomato sandwich had been on my mind since approximately 10.30 this morning, and when 12.30 finally came around, I believed I'd held off the craving for long enough and it was now time to enjoy my meal.

Heading upstairs to my little kitchen I began my preparations with love and attention:

2 slices of fresh sourdough bread

1 small banana shallot finely diced

1 small clove of garlic finely diced

4 spicy olives

2 beautiful, shiny tomatoes

A spoonful of homemade pesto

Olive oil
Salt & Pepper



I chose not to toast or grill my sourdough, as I wanted the pesto and tomato juices to seep into the bread. The characteristic holes in the sourdough structure give the perfect base on which to smear pesto, so that throughout the sandwich you get bursts of basil flavour. Layer up the rest of the ingredients as you wish, topping it all off with a drizzle of pesto, a swirl of olive oil and generous amounts of salt and pepper.

Although the initial purpose of this post was to satisfy my tomato urges, it has coincided with another tomato incident, and thus turned into an ode for my own little tomato plant.  It began its life as a tiny 10cm cutting from the Grainger Market, and with constant encouragement and support, it had grown to a gigantic 4ft - with lush greenery, promising buds and pretty yellow flowers. Whilst preparing my lunch, Mr Tomato was pushed to his death from our little 3rd floor window sill by a very large and careless pigeon. His long and elegant stem had been snapped clean in two, and, in my completely predictable, emotional way, a little tear came into my eye.


In an attempt to salvage even a memory from this beautiful plant I have taken small cuttings and replanted them, as well as placed a couple in water in order to develop roots.  It's a long shot, but it's worth a go, especially for a plant that gave so much joy.