Summer Food Fights

Hot weather usually brings about heated - no pun intended - debates. Namely it's about one summer fave versus another. What's the best way to make a tomato sandwich?Or ice cream versus ice What's is the best of the summer?

Sometimes it's just about a sandwich -namely a tomato one. There is a huge debate about adding mayo or no mayo. Without the condiment, the earthy sweetness of the tomato takes over yet with it, the fruit's flavor becomes more vibrant. It also adds a creaminess to the bite as well. A second debate is the bread. Toasted or  not toasted. Toasted gives the sandwich crunch and makes for a more solid base to sop up the juices. Not toasted, it's a nice chewy feeling. You could really throw a monkey wrench into the work by suggesting sourdough or French or Italian bread. These are perfect for chewiness and absorbing all the juices along with adding to the flavor. Yet so many would never try a tomato sandwich made this way. Forget about adding the garlicky aioli, Provencale's France's go to for everything from sandwiches to grilled fish and meats.Then there's the tomatoes themselves. Do you just go for the plump and luscious beefsteaks or try the ever sweet vine ripes? Should you think outside the box and used sliced grape or cherry tomatoes? Again, many have definite ideas about what sort to use.

Another summer debate is ice versus ice cream. Which is the cooler, literally and the most refreshing? Ices are basically just shaved or crushed frozen water with some kind of fruit syrup or puree added in. They've been around since Roman times when servants would run into the mountains outside of Rome and bring back buckets of snow. Honey or crushed fruit were then heaped on top. Personally, I like ice more, namely the Slushies you can create with the Slushie cups. There's something infinitely refreshing about a cola that being transformed into cooling spoonfuls of ice crystals. Ice cream may do that for some people but not for me. Yet that's always been a big debate. Many prefer the creamy flavor and mouth feel of a scoop of vanilla or chocolate. Ice  cream is versatile. It can be easily topped with fruit and syrups along with whipped cream, nuts and sprinkles for a special sundae or parfait.Add a blob of vanilla to root beer for a special foamy treat.Unfortunately the more you eat  the thirstier you become. This is do to the sugar particles in it sucking out the water from the cells. Ice , somehow doesn't do that. Maybe because there's a good deal of water in the mix.

There will always be summer food fights.  Yet it's up to the individual to decide . Taste is always ours , whether others agree or nor.