We are in the heart of tomato season. The end of summer is usually filled with baskets of fresh garden tomatoes, and with the heat we’ve had this year, this season is no different. No matter what type of tomatoes you grow or find at a local farmer’s market, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy them. However, one of my favorite ways is simply sliced, over good grilled bread. Some people use a base of mayo, some butter, and others still nothing but bread, tomatoes, and salt. I say all are good! But one of the most delicious ways to enjoy those juicy summer tomatoes is these Brown Butter Tomato Toasts. Warm, caramelized, toasted butter is drizzled over freshly sliced summer tomatoes. This adds a layer of richness and dimension to the toast that can’t be matched, plus it can be made in just minutes. Laid atop grilled bread and finished with coarse sea salt and pepper – those baskets of tomatoes will be gone before you know it.
When this time of the year rolls around, we eat tomatoes daily. They are so ripe, juicy, and sweet – and this is the only time of the year they taste like this. Year-round produce is getting pretty impressive, but no tomatoes can rival August tomatoes. This means that we find a way to work them into almost every meal.
Sometimes we have them as part of a Caprese salad, on a sandwich, or even blended into salsa. But tomatoes on toast is one of the purest, most simple ways to enjoy all that this season has to offer. And the brown butter is so easy to make, yet adds SO much flavor. Lately, I have eaten this simple dish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And I will continue until the last tomato of the season is gone!
This simple recipe is also highly customizable. Do you have ciabatta bread on hand? Wheat, white, or sourdough bread? Try it all. Do you grow heirloom tomatoes? Did you find meaty oxhearts at the market or golden yellow ones at the store? They all taste fantastic. At this time of year, you cannot go wrong with this. Serve this as an appetizer before some Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, Paneer Picatta with Tagliatelle, or as a main course!
These toasts would also taste great bulked up a bit with some cheese, garlic, or basil, but I find that simple is best to really appreciate the tomato’s garden-fresh flavor. Make more toasts than you think you want, because these are addicting. And after all – tomato season only comes once a year.
I hope you love these Brown Butter Tomato Toasts as much as I do! If you make this recipe, leave a comment and let me know what you thought or feel free to ask a question! I’d also love to see what you made! Tag me in your food pics @fortheperfectbite or use #fortheperfectbite on Instagram
Brown Butter Tomato Toasts
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp salted butter
- 4 slices hearty bread
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 large tomatoes preferably heirloom
- coarse sea salt
- freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Brown the butter: In a small saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Continue stirring and cooking the butter after it has fully melted; it should start to bubble.As the butter cooks, the color will slowly change to a golden brown and it will smell nutty and caramelized. Pull the butter off the heat once a light brown color has been reached, about 3-4 minutes total.
- Brush both sides of each piece of bread with a little olive oil. Grill over high heat until toasted, 1-2 minutes per side.
- Thickly slice the tomatoes. Layer tomato slices over the grilled bread.
- Drizzle the browned butter over the tomatoes, then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately.
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