Simple Summer Delight: Toasted Tomato & Cheese Sandwich

Sometimes you just want something fast and tasty for lunch. One of my favorites this time of year is a toasted tomato and cheese sandwich on homemade, 100% whole-wheat bread.

The trick is to spread mustard on the bread, then top one slice with tomatoes and the other with cheese. Toast in a toaster oven, then flip the cheese side over on top of the tomato side. Yummm ... crisp bread, melted cheese, and hot tomato! This bread is from a new recipe and turned out a little short, so I'm having a sandwich and a half.

What's local: the Ashe County pepper-jack cheese, tomato, whole-wheat flour, and honey in the sandwich, plus arugula for the salad with garlic in the dressing. The cheese comes from the Roberts Family Farm stand at the State Farmers' Market in Raleigh, where they also sell an amazing extra-sharp cheddar. Don't be put off by the cheeses in the display counter, which seem to have been there for a long time. Just ask for what you want and you'll be offered a good-looking block from the cooler.

What's not local: yeast, salt, butter, molasses, mustard, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and pepper.

Silky smooth & slightly stinky

Funny to see myself quoted as an unidentified customer in the great story on the Chapel Hill Creamery today.

At the Durham Farmers' Market on that same Saturday morning, McKnight bounces on her toes while chanting a slogan for the no-name cheese: "Soft and silky, slightly stinky." In response, a customer quips: "That's how I like my men." Laughter erupts.

I'm sure she said wasn't soft and silky, but silky smooth. She did introduce me to her brother who was standing right there in all his rough glory, a farmer heart-throb all ready for Sandra Bullock's next movie.

My "quip" was good for a laugh, but in reality, I like my man (singular, but married) super smart and dryly witty. But that new cheese from the Chapel Hill Creamery was very interesting and I adore their Pheta. Keep making that great cheese, Portia and Florence!