Tomato Twiddle

In case you were wondering, no, tomato twiddle isn’t the name of a robust crimson cartoon character. It’s a wonderfully delightful tea sandwich. 

This cleverly named sandwich features perfectly ripe garden tomatoes and the sharpest cheddar you can find. A hint of onion takes the flavor over the top.

These charming, bite-sized British sandwiches will quickly become your new favorite.

If you want to elevate your sandwich game, this recipe is how you do it. 

Why You’ll Love This Tomato Twiddle

Simple Prep: With only 4 ingredients and 5 recipe steps, making this sandwich is a breeze. Anyone, no matter their skill in the kitchen, can prepare it with ease. 

Party Perfection: While you can enjoy these anytime, they’re perfect for more elegant occasions. Serve them at your next tea time, garden party, or special event. They’ll add a touch of sophistication to your table. 

Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare the spread for this sandwich a day or so in advance. Simply refrigerate it and pull it out when you’re ready to assemble the sandwiches.

Classic Combo: Sharp cheddar and tomatoes always go well together. They create a familiar, comforting taste that everyone loves. 

Ingredients

• Tomatoes: Juicy red tomatoes are the star of this spread. For the best taste, select ripe, garden-fresh tomatoes. Then, peel and deseed them before making the spread.

• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Its bold, tangy flavor will balance the tomatoes’ sweetness. Shred it freshly from a block. 

• White Onion: Crisp, sharp onions add a subtle kick without overpowering the other flavors. Chop them finely for even distribution.

• Sturdy White Bread: Select bread that’s hearty enough to hold up under the moist spread. Remove the crusts for a pretty presentation. 

How to Make a Tomato Twiddle

There are really only 4 steps to this recipe: 

1. Prepare the tomatoes. Use a knife to score a shallow “X” on the bottom of each tomato. Then, place them in boiling water for 2 to 3 minutes. Once the cut skin starts to lift, remove them from the water and let them cool for a minute before peeling. Cut into quarters and deseed. 

2. Make the spread. Combine the quartered tomatoes, cheese, and onion in a food processor. Pulse until the sandwich spread is smooth and spreadable. Adjust as needed for consistency and taste. 

3. Assemble and cut. Spread a thick layer of the tomato mixture onto 4 bread slices. Top with the remaining bread slices to make sandwiches. Carefully remove the sandwich crusts. Then, slice the sandwiches into 4 triangles or 3 rectangles. 

4. Serve. Arrange the sandwiches in a single layer on a platter. Serve and enjoy! 

Tips for the Best Tomato Twiddle

Such a simple sandwich recipe hardly needs tips, so I only have a few: 

• Freeze & butter the bread. Some people don’t like to do this because they say it changes the bread’s texture. If you don’t mind that, freezing the bread makes it much easier to remove the crusts. Adding a thin spread of butter before the spread also makes the taste richer. 

• The riper, the better. Though you could make this year-round, it’s best in the summer. Store-bought tomatoes just won’t provide the same oomph as fresh ones. Also, avoid hard, underripe tomatoes or tomatoes with too many blemishes.

• Keep things in order. Don’t add the tomatoes to the water and let it come to a boil. Instead, ensure the water is at a full roiling boil, THEN add them. This method helps the skin loosen within 2 to 3 minutes. 

• Ditch the excess liquid. After removing the tomatoes’ seeds, drain off any excess liquid. You don’t want your spread to be too runny.

• Choose your consistency. If the spread is too thin or runny, add more cheese. If it’s too thick, add a splash of cream or milk. Additionally, don’t be afraid to taste the spread. If needed, add more onions, as well.

• Be sharp. Use the sharpest cheddar you can find. Mild cheddar won’t do the trick in this recipe. 

• Add some flavor. Fresh basil and chives taste great in tomato twiddle. For a spicy kick, try adding red pepper flakes or cayenne. 

How to Store

Like many summer sandwiches, these taste best when fresh. Storing them will make them soggy, and freezing them is never a good idea. 

To Make Ahead: Prepare the tomato twiddle spread according to the recipe instructions. Then, store it in an air-tight container and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. 

To Store: Again, I advise against storing prepared sandwiches. If you must, though, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate them for no more than 4 hours.