The Canned Ingredient That Makes Tomato Sandwiches Taste Ultra-Gourmet

Tomato sandwiches are, no doubt, a very humble lunch option. In their simplest form, they're made with only two ingredients — bread and tomato slices — but there are endless ways to upgrade them. Not only can you use ultra-flavorful tomatoes, but you can also add punchy ingredients to complement their natural flavor. One excellent option worth considering is anchovies. 

While these tiny fish may not be everyone's favorite thing on a pizza, eaten straight from the can, or added to a salad dressing, they can do wonders for a tomato sandwich made with lackluster fruit. Anchovies are chock-full of umami, so they will really play to similar flavors in your tomato sandwich. While you can get your hands on a high-quality anchovy brand and plop them straight on your sandwich, you can also integrate this salty, flavorful fish into sauces, spreads, and other sandwich components, meaning you won't have to contend with the tiny bones getting stuck in your teeth. 

If you aren't a fan of eating anchovies from the can, you might want to try integrating anchovy paste into your dish. It has all of the savory flavor that your dish has been missing, and you can easily add a scant amount to your homemade aioli to balance its flavor. The fat of the aioli will balance its sharpness and allow you to infuse every bite of the sandwich with that delicious, salty flair. For a slightly less pungent option, try adding fish sauce to your sandwich spread. This sauce, which is derived from anchovies, is bold in flavor but not as outwardly fishy as plain anchovies.

You can also balance the anchovies' flavor by pairing them with other condiments and additions. Fresh basil would give your sandwich a Caprese vibe and a fresh bite, while capers would add the right degree of salt and brininess to an otherwise boring sandwich.