Cheesy Toasts with Tomato and Thyme

Assos is an ancient village dating back to the 4th Century BC and is perched on top of a hillside with a spectacular view of the Greek island of Lesbos.  There is a temple to Athena at the very top. St Paul and Aristotle were there.

the ancient necropolis at the foot of our garden with Lesbos in the background

This  history is what makes it so special for me but in terms of gardening, it is another story. We are high up and very exposed to the elements. The Assos wind is something to be reckoned with.  Those plants have to struggle in order to grow.

Turkish spring amongst the olive groves further down the coast - I love this sight

So we were a bit downcast when we arrived for Easter and saw the garden was still looking on the wintry side. Two days later off we set in the direction of Edremit, a bit down the coast towards say, Izmir. It is distinctly warmer down there and we were in search of plants to add some colour to our garden. We had a particular nursery in mind.

...and we found it

boot full of plants

If you are a serious gardener, you're probably thinking oh those won't survive if the wind is as dire as she says. Well, it's better to try surely!

But why am I telling you all this?

Because we got back at about half past two and we were ravenous.

What do you do when you are put on the spot and have to produce something to eat FAST? My answer is these toasts topped with cheese and tomato, and sprinkled with thyme which in this case our neighbour has dried. The bread is also key: here it is köy ekmeği or village bread, which is what English recipes always call crusty. They slice it in the bakery if you ask, and they slice generously!

nice?

 Pre-heat the oven to 180 C.

Butter the bread before placing the slices of cheese on top. I used sliced cheddar I have to say : it melts so much better than any Turkish cheese I know. Then add a few sliced tomatoes and sprinkle dried thyme over everything.

It takes between 12-15 mins.

tackle with a knife and fork

Afiyet olsun!

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By the way, it looks as if the blogspot ban has been lifted!!!! Allelujia!!! Thank you to  Adventures in Ankara ...there's a New Kid in Town I found out this evening!! It has been a stressful two months or so that we here in Turkey have had to live with this ban which we did not deserve. Anyway, it's been lifted :).