TOMATO CROQUE-MONSIEUR

Tomato Croque-Monsieur image

Provided by Florence Fabricant

Time 30m

Yield 2 dozen canapés

Number Of Ingredients 9

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic
2 pounds meaty, ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, juiced and coarsely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
2 tablespoons minced basil leaves
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
Freshly ground black pepper
12 slices firm white sandwich bread, crusts trimmed
4 ounces Gruyère cheese, in thin slices
Olive oil for frying

Steps:

With a food processor running, drop in garlic until minced. Turn off machine, add tomatoes to processor and pulse until finely chopped.
Place mixture in a fine sieve over a bowl, stir in salt and allow to drain 30 minutes, pressing down on tomatoes from time to time.
Transfer tomatoes to a bowl, stir in basil and breadcrumbs and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Arrange half the bread slices on a work surface and spread with tomato mixture. Cover with a thin layer of cheese slices and top with remaining bread.
Film a large skillet with oil. Place as many sandwiches as will fit comfortably in skillet and fry over medium heat, turning to fry both sides and pressing down lightly with a spatula, until golden on both sides. Remove sandwiches to paper towel to drain.
Quarter sandwiches on the diagonal and serve, or place in a 200-degree oven to keep warm until ready to serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 148, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 10 grams, Fat 11 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 157 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams