Tomato Sandwich Packets for the Grill

I saw the rave reviews for a simple, delicious tomato sandwich on Zaar, so I thought, well, the great cooks of Zaar might laugh at this one, it's real folksy food, but when we have a braai (barbecue) here in South Africa, we must have these ... This recipe means 1 sandwich per person for 4 people. Lemme warn you: double the recipe! ** Postscript to a reviewer who does not accept zaar-mail: Dear Chef 184530: Do on no account wrap in anything -- grill, open, over coals or under grill.

• Ready In: 20 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 8  slices  white bread
• 6  tablespoons  soft butter or 6  tablespoons butter, spread
• 2  large  ripe tomatoes
• 1  medium sweet onion
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh basil or 2  teaspoons dried basil
•  salt
•  white pepper
• 6  tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Butter each slice on on side.
2. Peel the tomatoes, slice off the uneven end on one side, and press out some of the liquid and seeds.
3. Peel and slice the onion.
4. Cover 4 slices buttered bread with single layers of tomato slices.
5. Sprinkle the tomato layer with either the fresh, chopped basil or the dried basil.
6. Season with salt and white pepper to taste, but freshly ground black pepper is also fine.
7. Cover the tomato layer on each slice with a layer of sliced sweet onion.
8. Using the other 4 buttered slices, lay them on top of this filling.
9. Using kitchen twine (have scissors handy), make a "parcel" by tying up each sandwich like you would a parcel, so that it will not fall apart on the grill. Do not wrap it in any covering such as foil!
10. Then pour the olive oil in a small bowl, and, using a pastry or barbecue sauce brush, brush the parcels on both sides with olive oil. This will help them brown and crisp on the outside.
11. Grease your grill grid with non-stick spray or brush with butter. Grill the sandwiches over medium-to-low heat, turning a few times, until golden brown on both sides. (They're really best over medium coals on an outside grill).
12. Each person cuts off the twine at the table. With enough grilled meat and these "parcel sandwiches" you don't need much more than a large mixed salad to make a complete meal.