Tomato Cheddar Toasts

By Ali Slagle

Updated October 10, 2023

  • Nico Schinco for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Barrett Washburne.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
10 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Rating
5(4,665)
Comments
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Tomato and Cheddar toasts don’t need fussing — just crusty bread, swoops of mayonnaise, perfect summer tomatoes and the sharpest Cheddar you can find. It’s in the construction where things can go from good to great. Instead of cheese that’s sliced (which can be stiff and unrelenting) or broiled (and coagulated), take a cue from Chris Kronner’s burger wisdom in “A Burger to Believe In” (Ten Speed Press, 2018) and stir finely grated Cheddar into the mayonnaise. When slathered on hot, toasted bread, the cheese will melt into a creamy base somewhere between a queso and pepper-free pimento cheese. It has the pluck of sharp Cheddar, albeit in a plush and delightful form.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 toasts

  • 2 ripe medium tomatoes, thinly sliced

  • Salt

  • ½ cup mayonnaise

  • ½ packed cup/2 ounces finely grated extra-sharp Cheddar

  • 4 slices crusty bread

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

17 grams carbs; 25 milligrams cholesterol; 347 calories; 7 grams monosaturated fat; 14 grams polyunsaturated fat; 6 grams saturated fat; 28 grams fat; 2 grams fiber; 399 milligrams sodium; 7 grams protein; 3 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Arrange the tomatoes on a plate and sprinkle with salt. Stir together the mayonnaise, Cheddar and a pinch of salt.

  2. Step 2

    Toast the bread however you like. Right when the bread’s hot and ready, slather with the Cheddar mayonnaise. (Extra mayo will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.) Top with the tomatoes and devour.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
4,665 user ratings
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Comments

Gil

My French mom, who was a wonderful cook, made a version of this that was delicious. Spread mayonnaise on the bread, add a layer of tomatoes, sprinkle with garlic powder, top with a slice of cheddar, and then broil until the cheese is melted.

meg

This is less of a recipe and more of a great reminder to ravenously enjoy summer tomatoes, and for that, I’m so glad. Delicious!

Deb Martin

I grated the cheese half very fine and half in larger shreds to add a bit of texture. I’ve been making grilled cheese sandwiches this way for years. The cheese spread is also super great spread on cocktail rye or pumpernickel and broiled. You can then add whatever you want to the top, spicy pickles, fresh veg, tomatoes, pea shoots etc and they make wonderful party bites or as a side for soup or salad. I always add Tabasco. It keeps for awhile so make a double batch and get creative!

Julie

My second positive comment about this wonderful concoction: I was making a BLT on toast today but didn't have quite enough bacon on hand, so I used this spread instead of mayo. It added protein and extra deliciousness.

Maggie Brown

My mom added a slice of Vidalia onion to the tomato and mayo for the perfect summer sandwich. She made them daily during peak tomato season in the South.

Halina

I did this grilling When Pigs Fly sourdough bread using Dukes mayo in lieu of butter, spread the cheesy mayo layer when I flipped the bread to melt cheese. I just wanted to taste tomato so didn’t add spices, just flake salt at the beginning per recipe.

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