Blistered Cherry Tomato & Garlic Sandwich Spread

Blistered Cherry Tomato & Garlic Sandwich Spread

Vegan • Vegetarian • Dairy-Free • Gluten-FreeUnder 15 MinsStovetopLunchItalian
Easy
15min
75kcal
4people

MACROS

per serving
gProtein
gFat
gCarbs
gSugar
gFiber
Get Kitchen Buddy Free

Want to see the exact Macros for this meal? Download the Kitchen Buddy app and unlock full nutritional insights!

A quick, jammy, and savory blistered cherry tomato spread with garlic and balsamic. The perfect sweet and tangy sauce to balance fresh mozzarella and pesto on an Italian sandwich.

Are you looking for the ultimate Italian sandwich sauce to take your lunch game to the next level? When you are working with rich, creamy fresh mozzarella and deeply herbaceous basil pesto, you need an element of bright acidity and sweetness to balance the bite. That is exactly where this Blistered Cherry Tomato & Garlic Sandwich Spread comes in! Instead of using raw tomatoes which can make your sandwich watery, cooking them down in a skillet transforms them. The cherry tomatoes blister and burst, releasing their natural sugars which caramelize alongside the aromatic garlic. By adding a splash of balsamic vinegar, you create a thick, jammy, umami-packed sauce that holds onto the bread without making it soggy. This incredible Italian sandwich sauce requires just a few pantry staples and takes less than 15 minutes on the stovetop. It is naturally sweet, savory, and incredibly vibrant. You can spread it on toasted ciabatta, focaccia, or whole wheat bread before layering on your cheese and pesto. It's so good, you will probably find yourself using it as a dip, a pasta base, or a bruschetta topping. Say goodbye to dry sandwiches and hello to your new favorite condiment!

Ingredients

  • 250 g Cherry Tomato (about 1½ cups)
  • 3 cloves Garlic
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 0.5 tsp Sea Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
  • 0.25 tsp Chili Flakes (optional, for a kick)

Instructions

  1. 1
    Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. 2
    Step 2: Add the whole cherry tomatoes and cook without stirring for about 3-4 minutes until they begin to blister and char on the bottom.
  3. 3
    Step 3: Lower the heat to medium-low. Add the minced garlic and chili flakes (if using), cooking for 1 minute until highly fragrant.
  4. 4
    Step 4: Use the back of a spoon or a spatula to gently press down on the cherry tomatoes so they burst and release their juices into the pan.
  5. 5
    Step 5: Stir in the balsamic vinegar, sea salt, and black pepper.
  6. 6
    Step 6: Let the mixture simmer for another 3-4 minutes until the liquids reduce and form a thick, jammy spread. Remove from heat, let cool slightly, and spread directly onto your sandwich bread.

Chef's Tips

  • If you want a completely smooth sauce, you can pulse the finished mixture in a blender, but keeping it chunky adds great texture to the sandwich.
  • Letting the spread cool slightly before adding it to the sandwich helps prevent the fresh mozzarella from melting too fast and sliding off.
  • This recipe can be easily doubled and kept in the fridge for up to a week.

More recipes you might like

K
Recipe By
Kitchen Buddy Chef

Do you have everything to cook this?

Don't guess. Kitchen Buddy tracks your pantry to see if you are "Ready to Cook." Missing something? Add it to your smart shopping list in one tap.

Get Kitchen Buddy Free