Fancy Tomato Sandwiches

Name: Fancy Tomato Sandwiches
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: .75 cup (1½ sticks) salted butter, softened, at room temperature; .25 cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives; 2 long baguettes (about 12 ounces each); 8 ounces Gruyère, Comté, or sharp Cheddar cheese, sliced ¼ inch thick; 8 small-to-medium firm-ripe heirloom tomatoes (3 pounds total), cored and sliced ¼ inch thick; .75 teaspoon kosher salt; freshly ground black pepper; 3 cups baby arugula; 2 cups crispy fried onions, such as French's

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A BLT's got nothing on this perfectly layered baguette sandwich.

By

Ananda Eidelstein

Updated on September 3, 2022

Fancy tomato sandwiches on a wooden board displayed on a table with fruit juice and sunglasses. — Photo: Greg DuPree

Hands On Time:

15 mins

Total Time:

15 mins

Servings:

8

There's an art to building the best sandwich, and this recipe is the pièce de resistance. Spreading the salted chive butter on both sides of the freshly cut baguette is about more than just gilding the lily—it protects the bread from getting soggy when layered with the tomatoes. A nutty alpine cheese like Gruyère or Comté balances the acidic tomatoes, while a tangle of baby arugula offers peppery bite. But the most exciting addition to this layered masterpiece might be the fried onions, which add texture, richness, and umami to each bite.

Ingredients

¾ cup (1½ sticks) salted butter, softened, at room temperature
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
2 long baguettes (about 12 ounces each)
8 ounces Gruyère, Comté, or sharp Cheddar cheese, sliced ¼ inch thick
8 small-to-medium firm-ripe heirloom tomatoes (3 pounds total), cored and sliced ¼ inch thick
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
3 cups baby arugula
2 cups crispy fried onions, such as French's

Directions

Stir butter and chives in a medium bowl until smooth and well combined.
Split baguettes horizontally. Spread chive butter on cut sides of baguettes (about 3 tablespoons per side). Arrange cheese on bottom baguette halves. Layer sliced tomatoes on top of cheese, seasoning tomatoes with salt and several grinds of pepper as you go. Top with arugula and onions. Replace top baguette halves. Slice each sandwich crosswise into 8 pieces for an appetizer or 4 pieces for a main.

Make Ahead

Refrigerate chive butter in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Let come to room temperature before using.