Hot-Honey Charred Corn & Heirloom Tomato Sandwiches

Serves 4 · 15 min prep · 12 min cook

Ingredients

• 3 fresh sweet corn ears
• 2 large heirloom tomatoes
• 8 sourdough bread slices
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• 3 tbsp hot honey
• 1 fresh lime
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 8 butter lettuce leaves

Instructions

1. 1Shuck the corn and rub the ears lightly with olive oil. Heat a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot, about 3 minutes.
2. 2Place the corn in the hot skillet and char, turning every 2 minutes, until kernels are blistered and lightly blackened in spots, 8 to 10 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board to cool slightly.
3. 3Stand each ear upright and slice the kernels off close to the cob. Collect the kernels in a medium bowl; discard the cobs.
4. 4Add mayonnaise, chili powder, garlic powder, half the lime juice, half the cilantro, and salt to the charred corn. Stir vigorously until the mixture looks creamy and coats every kernel; taste and adjust seasoning.
5. 5Slice the heirloom tomatoes into generous 1/2-inch rounds. Season both sides of each slice with remaining salt and black pepper; let them sit 2 minutes so juices start to bead.
6. 6Toast the sourdough slices in a dry skillet or toaster until golden and crisp on the outside but still soft inside, about 2 minutes per side if using a skillet.
7. 7Spread a thick layer of the charred-corn mayo mixture on one side of every toast slice. Layer butter lettuce on the bottom four slices, then arrange overlapping tomato rounds on top.
8. 8Sprinkle crumbled cotija evenly over the tomatoes, drizzle with hot honey, and finish with remaining cilantro and a final squeeze of lime. Cap with the remaining toast slices, corn-side down.
9. 9Press each sandwich gently, cut in half on the diagonal if desired, and serve immediately while the toast is still warm and the tomatoes are juicy. Pack leftovers components separately for next-day lunch assembly.