A Little Summer TLC

By definition, this is not a restaurant review. However, considering that this is something I've been eating all weekend (and for weeks on end in past summers), I think it's worth mentioning. For me, summer is incomplete with fresh caprese salad on focaccia.

It's fresh tomato season, and this is one of my favorite ways to take advantage of the red, juicy babies. If you're a gardener with your own ripe tomatoes, I recommend waiting until the very last minute to pick them for this dish...because slightly sun warmed tomatoes are on par good sex and amazing wine. Instead, amass your other ingredients first, and then save the tomatoes for the very end. If you aren't a gardener- no worries- the grower's markets are rife with ruby treasures. I only ask that you not buy the tasteless monstrosities from the grocery story- that totally defeats the purpose.

Focaccia is much easier to find these days, though if you want a mini culinary adventure, head over to TLC Bakery on Osuna west of Jefferson. Their focaccia is topped with fresh herbs and olive oil, and is delicious. Plus, you can pick up bread for the next month and freeze it. While it's not a fancy bakery, the goods are fresh and tasty. You can also round out your trip with a visit to Whiting Tea and Coffee two stores down.

Aside from really ripe tomatoes and focaccia, you'll need fresh basil (please don't try to substitute the dried stuff...that's totally worthless), fresh mozzarella (the kind packed in water that looks almost like a lump of white dough), olive oil, and a bit of salt and pepper. Then you're set to assemble summer in a sandwich. Slice tomatoes and mozzarella, drizzle with olive oil, and salt and pepper them, slice some focaccia, and create a sandwich of the cheese and tomato, with a layer of basil. If you need a little more moisture in the sandwich, use more olive oil.

Now, pour a glass of your favorite vino and indulge in one of my summer treats.