CANYON CAFE RECIPE:
Tomato Sandwich
This seasonal sandwich has become an early favorite at our newly-opened Echo Park Cafe. Developed by friend and chef James Wayman — featuring fresh focaccia, local tomatoes, and herby mayo.
Try it made to order at the shop or make it at home for a perfect lunch.
This sandwich is a celebration of peak tomato season. Heirloom tomatoes in Southern California are better than maybe anywhere else in the world, especially in late July through early September. We use assorted Tutti-Frutti heirloom varietals but any firm sweet naturally grown tomato will do.
- Large slice of Focaccia
- Herb mayonaise (recipe below)
- Yellow miso paste
- Large heirloom tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Spicy arugula
- Maldon Salt
- Lemon
Slice your focaccia horizontally. Toast until lightly Crisp. Dress a handful of arugula and torn basil with a squeeze of lemon and set aside.
While focaccia is toasting, slice an heirloom tomato at roughly a 1/2 inch thick. Dress liberally with Maldon salt.
Remove bread from toaster and spread a dab of yellow miso paste on the bottom half. Then slather each side judiciously with herb mayo (recipe below). Shingle the tomato slices down the length of the sandwich. Top with arugula and basil salad.
Slice on the diagonal and enjoy!
Our herbed mayo is essentially an aioli without garlic. No contrived sauces here; nothing to distract from the perfect simplicity.
Crack one egg into a tall narrow container, something just wide enough to fit the head of an immersion blender. Add 1 cup of lemon juice and the soy sauce. Start blending on high speed.
Very slowly drizzle in the oil. The mixture will slowly begin the thicken. Maintain a slow but steady stream as the mayonnaise begins to tighten. When the vortex ceases to spin, your sauce should be sufficiently thick. Using a silicon spatially, transfer mayonnaise into a mix bowl. Add in mixed herbs. We always use chives and parsley; we also love to throw in whatever is fresh and growing at the moment. Fennel, sorrel, and dill are favorites. Whatever you can find that is bright and in season! Stir until herbs are well incorporated.
Discover our full toast & sandwich menu at Canyon Echo Park
Now open daily from 7am-4pm at 1559 Echo Park Ave in LA's Echo Park neighborhood. Join us for coffee, toast and orange juice, with the warm sound of vinyl records filling the space.
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