Friday, August 10, 2012

Are tomatoes fattening?

That question was asked on Facebook the other day and after much consideration I'm thinking it's probably true. I've noticed that my clothes definitely fit a little tighter after I eat this...

I should have some control, but ever since I found out on Pinterest that I can cook the WHOLE package of bacon on a cookie sheet in the oven, I have this endless supply of crispy bacon waiting on a sandwich! Why does bacon smell so good cooking? Is that a Divine Plan? Why would God give us something so delicious if it is bad for us? All these questions swirl around in my head and it's all I can do to choke down this double layer, tomato heaven, crispy lettuce, creamy mayo lunchtime treat!

Another favorite, I call it the "diet version," is simple. It's bread, mayo and tomato. A whole big tomato... the ones that fill up your palm, hefty to the hand, are required for this sandwich. In Arkansas they can be a Bradley,  a tomato that grows down south around Warren is a good choice. It's a dark pink, prized for it's big old fashioned acidic flavor... you know you've had a tomato when you eat this. No namby-pamby store tomato taste here! 

It's really not the size of the tomato that matters, homegrown is what counts. The hard work and love that a gardener puts into a summertime of caring for them is what really makes them taste so good. My Dad loved his garden and he especially loved the "Arkansas Travelers" that he would plant every year. He'd set up cold frames so that he could start them early. In the cold months of February and March he’d go outside no matter the weather to check on the progress of the 200+ tomato seedlings. All summer long he’d weed, water and tend that garden so that the bounty could be put away for their winter use. But the abundance was the real joy of that garden, he loved to share with neighbors! 

If you've not had a tomato sandwich this summer, plan one ASAP. To learn how to make a proper Tomato Sandwich, it will help you to visit Tomato Sandwich Spirituality... and don't worry about the calories!

20 comments:

  1. I simply adore this post! A good BLT is the ultimate sandwich don't you think? Especially in the south! It's just a little bit of heaven and you made it sound delightful!!

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    1. Oh yes, bacon is good! The tomato... a very close second!

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  2. Uhhhh. I think it is not the tomato! Lol. BLT is our favorite sandwich here. And I love me some good tomatoes.

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    1. There's even a song written about it... “Homegrown tomatoes, homegrown tomatoes. What’d life be without homegrown tomatoes? One two things that money can’t buy – that’s true love and homegrown tomatoes!”

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  3. oooh, that BLT looks divine! My favorite Tomato sandwich goes like this... some really good Italian bread - homegrown tomatoes sliced thin, fresh Mozzerella, good quality olive oil drizzled on the bread over the tomato and mozzerella, oregano salt and pepper. YUM!

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    1. Ohhhh, that sounds delicious! New Favorite!!!

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  4. I've been savoring BLTs and or tomato sandwiches for a while now! Aren't they the best...with that mayo dripping off onto your hand along with the tomato juice? AWESOME!!!!...:)JP

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    1. After writing this, I had to have tomato sandwich for lunch yesterday! The power of print!

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  5. Love me some BLT's, heavy on the bt...and just go ahead and skip the l. :)

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  6. Oh how I wish tomato season was longer. Yum! Yum!

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    1. With a little luck, the few tomato plants I have left from this hot summer will begin to do a little fall flowering... I have my fingers crossed!

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  7. I think I would be happy to eat that sandwich for my last meal.

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    1. That's a thought and probably a really good blog... what would we pick if it were our last meal??? Hmmm, chocolate something!

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  8. I need to look for that oven thing! I hate the grease popping of frying the bacon. I made the mozzarella sandwich back when I was milking Willow and made my own mozzarella. It was delicious too.

    BLT's top the list of good sandwiches. DH would say hamburgers with cheese and bacon and tomato.

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    1. Glenda, it's 375 for about 15-20 minutes... until it's crispy enough to suit your taste. I like underdone slightly so that when I pan fry for breakfast (or a quick microwave) the slices are just perfect. I spray the cookie sheet first lightly or you can line them with foil for easy cleanup. I cook the whole pound and freeze too, that way we can use a couple slices here and there. Always good for topping a casserole. Can you tell we are meat lovers???!

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  9. Nahhhh - tomatoes are fattning!!! It's alllll that other wonderful food that you have in between those two pieces of bread!! My most favorite sandwich is a large slice of videlia onion, dill pickle and huge slice of tomatoe!! Ohhhh gooodness! Having a difficult time finding the videlias already!

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    1. Truth! Could be that slather of mayo guilty too! This weekend I made old fashioned fried pies, haven't made those is such a long time and they were so good. Can't imagine how many calories in a Chocolate Fried Pie...

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  10. OH my!!! that sandwich is so scrumptious looking!!!!! the table of 'maters makes me tired to look at it though.LOL. just thinking of the chores that must have involved. ;)

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    1. My Mom was the canner in the family, from early summer on she stood in the kitchen putting up tomatoes, beans, peppers, pickles, chow chow.. whatever the garden had ready she put away for winter. Then they would share with us, "Take this home" she'd say : )

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