A New Favourite!

During a recent trip to Sicily, I found myself mesmerized by the island’s vibrant markets, filled with sun-ripened tomatoes, fragrant herbs, and the finest olive oils. Sicily’s culinary tradition, deeply rooted in simplicity and freshness, left a lasting impression on me. The emphasis on letting quality ingredients shine through is something that resonated with my approach to sandwich-making. This Heirloom Tomato and Straciatella Cheese Sandwich is a direct result of that inspiration—a celebration of the best of Italian produce and the uncomplicated, yet incredibly flavorful, style of cooking that I experienced in Sicily.

The tomatoes in this sandwich take center stage, just as they did in the markets of Palermo and Catania. I’ve chosen a variety of heirloom tomatoes for their rich colours, unique shapes, and most importantly, their flavour. In Sicily, tomatoes aren’t just an ingredient; they’re the heart of the dish. They’re sun-soaked, sweet, and bursting with flavour, needing only a drizzle of high-quality olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt to become something extraordinary. This simple treatment allows the natural sweetness and acidity of the tomatoes to shine, embodying the Sicilian philosophy of cooking: respect the ingredients and let them speak for themselves.

Straciatella Cheese

Straciatella cheese, with its creamy, luxurious texture, adds a beautiful contrast to the juicy tomatoes. It’s a cheese that I saw in a market in a small trattoria in Taormina, where it was served with local bread and olive oil. I was struck by its freshness and how it perfectly complemented the bold flavours around it. In this sandwich, it serves as the ideal base, spreading across the grilled bread like a canvas, ready to enhance the fresh, tangy tomatoes.

The rocket and black olive salad included in the sandwich is a nod to the island’s love for bitter greens and briny olives. The combination of peppery rocket, salty olives, and the brightness of lemon juice is inspired by the salads I enjoyed in Sicilian homes and restaurants, where meals are often light, vibrant, and packed with flavour. This salad adds an essential layer of texture and complexity to the sandwich, while still adhering to the simplicity that defines Italian cuisine.

Grilled sourdough bread provides the perfect vessel for these ingredients, adding a smoky, crispy element that contrasts beautifully with the soft cheese and juicy tomatoes. In Sicily, bread is treated with great respect, often baked fresh daily and used to complement every meal. Grilling the bread not only adds flavour but also gives the sandwich a satisfying crunch, making every bite a delightful experience.

A Truly Sensational Sandwich?

This sandwich is super simple but is a true reflection of my time in Sicily. It’s a dish that honours the island’s incredible produce and the Italian approach to cooking—one that values freshness, quality, and the belief that the best food doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s a sandwich that I hope brings a bit of Sicily to your table, wherever you are.

Why You’ll Love This Sandwich

1. Burst of Freshness: The variety of heirloom tomatoes adds a burst of juicy, sweet, and tangy flavours that complement the creamy Straciatella cheese perfectly.
2. Creamy and Rich Texture: The Straciatella cheese spreads smoothly across the grilled bread, adding a luxurious, creamy texture that pairs beautifully with the fresh tomatoes and crisp salad.
3. Perfect Balance of Flavours: The rocket and black olive salad, dressed with olive oil and lemon, adds a peppery and slightly briny note, balancing the richness of the cheese and the sweetness of the tomatoes for a perfectly harmonious bite.