I’m always looking for new fresh ways to serve our favorites – Tomatoes, Sweet Corn & Basil. During the summer we get tired of just sliced tomatoes and corn on the cob – somehow – though it seems impossible right now. This little appetizer is an amazing combo of everything we love. Grilling the tomato adds a slight smokiness, and warms the goat cheese, offset by the cold and crunchy sweet corn kernels and fresh basil. Though I don’t always serve plated starters when we have friends for dinner, sometimes I come across something so special, it is worth washing the extra dish. You can also serve this as a traditional shared appetizer if you cut it into wedges and serve it with grilled bread… which I think I’ll do for a party this Friday.
Grilled Tomato, Goat Cheese, Fresh Sweet Corn & Basil Appetizer 4 thick slices of tomato – firm enough to grill 1/2 cup of olive oil 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar 1 clove of garlic 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt 1/2 teaspoon of cracked pepper 4 ounces of goat cheese 1 ear of sweet corn, kernels cut off 2 tablespoons of basil Place the 4 slices of tomato on a pan or plate ready to go to the grill. In a small bowl make the brushing liquid by stirring together oil, lemon juice, vinegar garlic salt and pepper. Brush on both sides of the tomato. Grill tomato for 2 minutes, then flip. After flipping, top tomato with goat cheese (a little goes a long way…) and more of the lemon garlic oil. Grill for 2-3 more minutes until the goat cheese is warm and soft. Remove from the grill. Plate and sprinkle on fresh corn cut from the cob and basil. Drizzle on more of the lemon garlic liquid. 