Give Tomato Sandwiches A Mediterranean Flavor Boost With One Jarred Addition

There isn't a sandwich simple yet more delicious than a classic tomato sandwich. Typically, it only requires ripe tomatoes, some good quality bread, mayo, and a little seasoning. From there, it can be upgraded with a smear of butter, a slice of cheese, or even cream cheese. However, there's another, bolder option to consider: olive tapenade. 

For the unfamiliar, this chunky and savory French spread is made from olives, garlic, capers, olive oil, and sometimes sun-dried tomatoes or anchovies. It's the salty condiment that even Martha Stewart swears by for a picnic-worthy sandwich. Tomato sandwiches are no exception here. It's all about the contrast: those sweet-tart juicy tomatoes pair very well with all the deep, salty, umami, and concentrated flavors of olive tapenade. Plus, the olive oil in the tapenade will make the sandwich taste richer while the olives themselves bring some brininess and much needed texture to work against the soft tomato flesh. The only thing to keep in mind is that olive tapenade is like a seasoning paste, so a little goes a long way — spread just a thin layer over one or both slices of bread before adding your tomatoes.

This is certainly a more out-of-the-box way to use olive tapenade than simply spreading it on crostini, but there are ways to take its pairing with tomato sandwich even further. Olive tapenade is often served as part of a cheeseboard or antipasto platter where fresh tomatoes also feature alongside crusty bread, cheese, and marinated vegetables. So to build your sandwich further, try adding in other similar ingredients.

A creamy cheese like mozzarella is a good addition because it brings a mild and milky contrast to the olive tapenade, whereas something stronger like crumbled feta would ramp up the saltiness. There's also soft goat cheese if you want your sandwich to have a little more creaminess. To bring some freshness into the mix, fresh herbs like torn basil leaves, dill, or oregano go a long way. If you need more punch, a few pickled red onions for acidity or a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat can go a long way.

The bread can also benefit from some consideration. There needs to be a sturdy base, one that can stand up to the tomato juices and tapenade's moisture, so either toast soft bread or reach for something crusty and firm like sourdough or baguette. Finally, know that while salting your tomatoes is an important step in a tomato sandwich for better flavor and texture, tapenade is quite salty so taste everything together before reaching for the shaker. Get these steps right and you could be looking at the best tomato sandwich of your life.