Mini Tomato and Havarti Sandwiches with Balsamic Glaze

 Little grilled sandwiches with blistered grape tomatoes, creamy Havarti cheese, and a sweet balsamic glaze. Finished with a dash of fresh basil, these Mini Tomato and Havarti Sandwiches taste JUST LIKE summer and make a great appetizer or lunch.

Such a long name.

Such a small and simple sandwich.

My Roma tomatoes are ready to rock in my little back garden. Last year I found lots of fun things to do with them-- there was Tomato Bruschetta, Roasted Tomato Sauce, Roasted Tomato Basil Soup (my personal favorite), and no shortage of fresh tomatoes in salsa and on pizza. So when I picked my first handful of fresh garden tomatoes, I knew whatever I shared would have to be simple and special-- so the tomatoes could shine. This is that.

Speaking of things that shine--

I have an important (and secret) question. Which probably seems sort of dumb since this blog gets published on the very public internet but... well let me just put it out there and then I will explain.

What do you guys know about cookies? Not COOKIES, but cookies- like in your browser? The little things that tell the world what kinds of ads to throw in your face that your computer(s) remember based on what else you look at. Like when you save something on Zappos to favorites and then there it is on every page reminding you that you REALLY wanna buy those cute wedge sandals even if you never get dressed up enough to need them.

This is the important question (and I'm talking to you technically savvy people out there): Are cookies based on your computer OR are they based on your IP address? This is serious business.

I need to know.

And I'll tell you why.

But first look at more sandwich.

The reason I need to know is because for like 2 weeks ads for big blingin' engagement rings have been ALL UP IN my face.

And obviously I do not shop for diamond rings. Nor have I accidentally clicked on any ads for diamond rings, or any other kind of jewelry for that matter. But there they are. Every day. Taking up the big ad space near the bottom right of this page. Flashing at me when I check my email. Floating in my peripheral vision on Facebook.

I figure this means one of two things. Either the advertising agencies of the world have my number, know that I just turned 33, and think I need to hurry up and get with the program and stop being such a single(ish... only for tax purposes) slow poke OR... someone in this house has been looking at rings. You see? IMPORTANT {secret} question.

So the reason I'm not super worried about publishing this on the internet is because 1) I don't know who to ask internet questions besides my awesome invisible internet friends and 2) Chad never reads my blog. He eats all the food and reads stuff if I shove my laptop in his face. He will help me edit photos when I ask for an opinion and tell me what he might like better with what I cook. But Chad reads purely for information. Not for entertainment. Also chances are that whatever I write here he has already heard 38 times because I talk. A lot.

So tell me please: the cookies. Are they just based on the fact that marketers think I'm a sad situation? Or is someone at this IP address poking around in the shiny things department? Help. I have sandwiches.

5.0 from 1 reviews

Mini Tomato and Havarti Sandwiches with Balsamic Glaze

 

Print

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

25 mins

 

Little bitty grilled sandwiches full of Havarti cheese, fresh garden tomatoes, fresh basil, and then drizzled with a sweet balsamic glaze

Author: Heather Tullos

Serves: 6 - 8 mini sandwiches

Ingredients

• 1 cup grape tomatoes
• olive oil
• kosher salt to taste
• butter (for grilling
• 1 loaf crusty French baguette, in about ¾" thick slices
• 4 ounces Havarti cheese, sliced
• ½ cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar (optional: see note)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. Rub the tomatoes with olive oil and scatter them across the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle them with the kosher salt and then let them roast in the oven for about 15 minutes. The skins will explode and blister while they roast.
2. Heat a skillet to about medium. Add a little butter and put down a few slices of bread. Add cheese, 2-3 tomatoes per sandwich, more cheese, and then the top slice of bread. Turn to grill the second side.
3. While the sandwiches brown, pour the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan and cook it over medium high heat until it simmers. Reduce the heat just slightly and stir occasionally. The balsamic glaze is ready when it has reduced by half. It will thicken upon standing, but will still be sweet and delicious right away. Drizzle the glaze over the sandwiches and serve.

Notes

Cheaper balsamic vinegar is not as sweet when you cook it down and can sometimes be a little bitter. I still like it, BUT if you prefer a sweeter balsamic glaze, add the teaspoon of sugar when you are bringing the balsamic vinegar to a simmer. This will give you that sweetness in the glaze

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