Egg Battered Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwich

It's finally tomato season and I have a nice bowl full of them on my counter.  These are fresh local grown tomatoes, nothing like what they sell in the grocery store. I used to grow my own, but I hate the heat and the bugs and it seems like each year right when the harvest comes in, I am away on vacation.  So this year I decided to plant herbs and rely on my CSA and local farmers market for this summer time delicacy.

When it comes to good fresh tomatoes, the key is to play up the fresh flavor. Certainly, just sliced with a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper is great.  Add some fresh mozzarella and basil and that's even better. I also like to chop a few and toss them in with some pasta; you can add butter or olive oil, salt and pepper and grated parmesan and there's your meal. But one of my favorites is a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich.

This isn't just any old grilled cheese sandwich, this sandie is dipped in egg and grilled in a bit of olive oil flavored with garlic. Yum.

Egg Battered Grilled Cheese and Tomato Sandwich

olive oil
1 clove garlic, sliced in half
2 slices bread
mayo
hoagie pepper spread
3 slices Havarti or other favorite cheese
1 nice sized tomato, thinly sliced
2-3 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1 egg, beaten with a splash of milk

Drizzle a small amount of olive oil in a non-stick pan over med-low heat.  At the garlic, sliced sides down.

Meanwhile put together the sandwich. Spread one slice of bread with the may and hot peppers.  Lay down one slice of cheese then half of the tomato slices, sprinkle with half the basil.  Cover with another slice of cheese and repeat the process, ending with the third slice of cheese.  Remove the garlic slices and rub the outside of the bread with the cooked side of the garlic.

Turn the heat up to medium high. Dip the sandwich into the beaten egg and then brown on each side until cheese is melted and the outside is golden. Enjoy. Then make another one.