This high-protein tomato sandwich is the meal you’ll look forward to at lunchtime.
Key Points
- Discover a high-protein tomato sandwich that’s flavorful and ready in just 20 minutes.
- A creamy cottage cheese spread makes this sandwich a nutritious and delicious choice.
- Perfectly ripe heirloom tomatoes shine in this simple, summery recipe that’s ideal for any meal plan.
If there’s one food I steered clear of throughout my life, it was definitely tomatoes. Their slight sweetness and pulpy texture was something I just couldn’t get behind, no matter how much my friends or family tried to sell them to me.
I had resigned myself to a life of being a hater—until I tasted a perfectly in-season heirloom tomato. I was 19, out to lunch with my parents and listening to them rave about the BLT they both ordered. They were trying to convince me to at least try it, and finally, I conceded. The tomato was thinly sliced, nestled perfectly between its partners in crime, bacon and lettuce. I realized I had done myself a great disservice by pulling out every tomato that had ever graced my sandwich.
Ever since, I have been on a mission to make up for lost time. Sandwiches are my favorite way to eat the fruit (yes, fruit!), and despite a trusty BLT being the gateway, our High-Protein Tomato Sandwich has completely stolen my heart.
Not only does it perfectly highlight a perfectly ripe tomato, it’s also satisfying enough to power me through the afternoon.
This recipe immediately found a permanent home in my MyRecipes account, where I can save it and come back to it whenever I need it. Sounds good? Make sure to tap the heart on the recipe to save it to your own account.
How to Make It
What makes this sandwich stand out from the typical tomato sandwich with mayo is the delicious cottage cheese spread, a creamy addition that enhances every bite. To make the mixture, just combine the cottage cheese, herbs, grated garlic and lemon zest in a mini food processor and blend until smooth, making sure to scrape down the sides as you go.
Move over to your cutting board and cut your heirloom tomato into ½-inch-thick slices and place them on a paper towel–lined plate. Season with salt and pepper and let the slices rest, about 5 minutes, until the moisture is drawn to the surface.
Now we’re ready for assembly. Grab two slices of whole-wheat bread and divide your cottage cheese mixture evenly between both slices. Pop your tomatoes on, and voilà! You have a delicious sandwich that screams summertime.
Why I Love It
Not only is this sandwich bursting with the tangy, slightly acidic flavor that made me fall in love with perfectly ripe tomatoes, it’s also packed with 17 grams of protein. Plus, it’s ready in just 20 minutes, and you can even make a larger batch of the cottage cheese mixture ahead of time so you can enjoy this recipe all week long. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy a perfectly ripe tomato this season.
The Bottom Line
Whether you’re a tomato lover or a lifelong hater, I’m confident that this sandwich is for everyone. Simple but flavorful, light but high in protein, this handheld is summertime in a sandwich. Whether you pack it up for work or put it together on a lazy Sunday afternoon, this recipe makes the perfect accomplice to all of your plans this season.