Tomato toast barely qualifies as a recipe, but it has been part of our late-summer kitchen for decades and deserves a place here for that reason alone. In fact, my first introduction to it was at ten years old, at a friend’s house. This was how her family made the most of tomato season, and it immediately became part of the season for me, too. And here we are, more than forty years later, and I can tell you that August and September just would not be the same without it.
Since entering my home, tomato toast has gotten an upgrade with homemade bread, mayonnaise made with our own eggs, and tomatoes grown here at home. In life, some things change and some things remain the same.
When the garden tomatoes are coming in faster than we can eat them, this is breakfast, lunch, or the thing I make standing at the counter when I realize I haven’t eaten yet and need a quick bite.
The very best version starts with a thick slice of homemade bread, toasted until crisp at the edges but still chewy inside. Let it cool slightly, then add a generous swipe of homemade mayonnaise, a thick slice of garden tomato, Italian seasoning or oregano, and plenty of salt and pepper. That’s it. There are foods that don’t need improving.
A Few Tomato Toast Tips
- Tomatoes should be room temperature for best flavor
- Good quality salt, always
- Don’t slice the tomato too thin; you need something to sink your teeth into
- Toast should be sturdy enough to withstand tomato juice
- Let toast cool just a bit, so mayonnaise does not melt
- I use Italian seasoning, but oregano is a great option, too
- Here is my favorite tomato knife, if you’re in need
I spent decades thinking tomato toast was a clever combination my friend’s family concocted, but in recent years, with the advent of social media, I’ve learned that tomato toast is not only common, how it should be made is downright territorial! Haha. There are strong opinions about what the best version is! I do not claim this to be the best, but it is the way I’ve always made it, and August just would not be the same without it.
Easy Tomato Toast with Fresh Garden Tomatoes
Ingredients
Method
- Toast the bread until golden and crisp, especially around the edges. Cool slightly.
- Spread each slice generously with mayonnaise.
- Top with thick slices of ripe tomato, using enough to cover the toast.
- Season generously with salt, freshly ground black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Serve immediately while the toast is still crisp.