Tomato, Tomahto... either way, they're nutritious and delicious

Tomatoes are arguably one of the healthiest foods on earth. They are chock full of vitamins C, K and A, as well as potassium. They are also a great source of lycopene, a carotenoid with many documented health benefits. Even better, they taste amazing. Especially heirloom tomatoes, so named because they are grown from seeds that are at least 50 years old and are passed down through generations like an heirloom.

Heirlooms can be huge, bumpy, gnarly; they may be green, striped, yellow, or even orange. They don't look like the genetically modified tomatoes you'll find in most supermarkets: perfectly round and red and, often, pretty bland.

I recently saw Bobby Flay make a lovely sandwich featuring heirloom tomatoes. I had to make it - or my version of it - immediately. We swapped the poached eggs from the original recipe for fried eggs because they're more foolproof. My take on the sandwich also left out Bobby's chervil, arugula, and vinaigrette; i used chives because, well, everything is better with chives.


I got a nice organic French baguette, split it horizontally and toasted it. I spread the goat cheese liberally on the toasted bread, then topped it with chopped chives and alternating-colored slices of those delish heirloom tomatoes, plus a sprinkle of salt. Then we placed the fried eggs atop the sandwich, with more chives, salt and freshly-ground pepper.

Break the yolk and nomnomnom. So good. A lovely, delicious, healthful meal. It was certainly elegant enough to serve at a fancy brunch but be forewarned: it is gooey and messy and probably best enjoyed with good friends and family.


Note: It is recommended that only fully-cooked eggs be consumed during pregnancy. If you're already at the breastfeeding stage, enjoy these runny eggs!

Comments

  1. My 95 year old grandmother loves tomatoes and always had at least one a day just because she liked them. Who knew that was what we owe her longevity to! Because it certainly wasn't the copious wine or cigarettes!

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  2. Lycopene vs. cigarettes and the lycopene won!

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  3. tomatoes and a runny egg are possibly the best combination ever. yum.

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  4. only thing better? tomatoes and a runny egg and goat cheese!

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  5. Boy would I love to find an heirloom tomato in January!!!! The heat of last summer really had an impact on the tomatoes that I saw in the fall, especially the ones I grew. But when I do find a good one I will be making this!!! Eggs...goat cheese...tomato! Sign me up!

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  6. Also shared at Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen: http://bobbiskozykitchen.blogspot.com/2012/07/manic-monday-party-6.html

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  7. Bobbi Renee Hass-BurlesonJuly 18, 2012 at 6:15 PM

    Thanks so much for sharing this on Manic Monday. If you have seen the cover photo on my Facebook page you know sunny side up eggs are total food porn for me LOL

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  8. We have that in common! The pic from this recipe is my cover photo ;-)

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  9. I can't wait to make this!!!!!!  

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  10. Fantastic, I hope you like it!

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  11. Yummy! Any suggestions for baguette-type bread that isn't made with white flour? Would love to find the crisp chewy softness of a baguette that doesnt slow me down.

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