Salad Stravaganza: Simple, Fabulous Tomato Salad

Lis at La Mia Cucina and Kelly at Sass And Veracity hatched the idea of a Salad Stravaganza for this month and I promised to submit something before the deadline of June 25th, and it appears I have managed to make it just in time.  Lis and Kelly are on a quest to acquire smaller hips, a very noble idea, don't you think?  This is an extremely easy salad, but getting the right ingredient may or may not be easy for people. It's a tomato salad that must be made with the best quality fruits (or you can call them vegetables, if you like).   If you're lucky enough to grow your own, by all means use those. But, excellent specimens are starting to appear on the market. And for those still waiting--your time will come.  Really, it will.  The waiting period for vine ripened tomatoes makes them all the more delicious when you finally taste them.  So just keep telling yourself that, as you wait impatiently for them to finally arrive in all their perfection.

I used a variety of tomatoes in different shapes and sizes. Some of them were from my garden and others were from my local CO-OP and Farmer's Market.  All the cherry tomatoes were from my garden, as well as the Early Girls and the Stupice. I bought some yellow/orange tomatoes, Pink Accordion, a pleated tomato, and chocolate colored Indian Strip.

They were sliced, quartered, and in the case of the cherry tomatoes, left whole.  Dressed with a simple vinaigrette and fresh basil, it was the focus of our meal. We had grilled peasant bread and chicken, but we took no notice of the chicken.  Our entire meal was simply tomatoes and bread.  We sampled each variety and decided that we liked our garden tomatoes the best, because they had that "fresh picked" tang.  Sliced tomatoes had the best taste, but the quartered fruits weren't as pleasing. It seemed like slicing opens up the flavor better than quartering.   The favorite way to eat the tomatoes was to pile them on top of the grilled peasant bread. It was simply marvelous.   We had our bread nude--but you could smear on some goat cheese and it would send you into heaven

Simple Fabulous Tomato Salad

(Adapted from The Mustard's Grill Cookbook)

Serves 2-4 people

6-8 fresh picked, vine ripened tomatoes in different varieties, sizes, and shapes
At least 1 cup of cherry tomatoes in different sizes and colors
freshly chopped basil

Cut the large tomatoes in slices and quarters and any shape you like.  Arrange them on a large platter or individual salad plates.  Cut some of the cherry tomatoes in half and leave the rest whole, distributing them on the sliced and quartered tomatoes.  Sprinkle chopped basil on top of the tomatoes, then drizzle with vinaigrette or just use good salt and pepper.  Put some of the grilled bread around the tomatoes. You would do well to make extra bread and have it available because it is fabulous with the tomatoes

Vinaigrette

1 Tablespoon good vinegar
1 shallot, minced
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Whisk the ingredients together and adjust for seasoning.

The Bread

Slice as much good peasant or ciabatta bread as you see fit.  Brush both sides with olive oil and grill under a broiler, flipping them over--or on a hot grill. Watch them carefuly as they can burn quickly. When they have turned a light toasted color,  you can serve them as is, or sprinkle with parmesan cheese and black pepper. Goat cheese is also nice spread on the slices. Serve them with the salad and pile the tomatoes on the bread as you eat. 

Comments

[Lydia]

Sounds like the perfect lunch -- I have tomatoes from the farmers' market, and basil in the garden that needs to be cut back. A loaf of bread, a bit of cheese -- delightful!

[Glenna]

Oh that's gorgeous. I could eat a plate of that myself. Yum. I'm very impressed that you had the presence of mind in the middle of all that tomato-ey goodness to be able to critique the different varieties. I'd probably be shoveling it in, going "huh? Good, that's all I know!"

[Lisa]

*swoon*

Dear sweet Jebus that looks heavenly. I am still quite jealous of your harvest.. this waiting game is not easy when you share recipes like this.. I'm sitting here in a puddle of tomato envy. :)

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing this! We have tomatoes but they are still green.. soon though! I shall make this for my very own self.. with the bread.. and quite possibly the goat's milk cheese (screw you thighs!) and I shall be a happy, happy woman. Unless of course Hubbs wants to share - and then I could be a happy, happy woman behind bars for stabbing him with my fork.

But you'll have that, eh?

YOU ROCK, Sherry!
xoxo

[s'kat]

Dave and I were just discussing what to have for lunch. He was leaning towards a BLT salad, but I'm enraptured by your beautiful plate of tomatoes! So gorgeous, and I just happen to have some bread and goat cheese as well.

[Alisha]

That looks so lovely. I wish we could get decent tomatoes here because that would surely get made often. Maybe moving to our new house I'll try to plant a garden in the back -- we're just about starting from scratch back there so it would be a good plan.

[Katiez]

You're going to make me cry! That is so beautiful... and I just put 22 tomato plants on the non-usable compost heap... fungus do to lots of rain and no sun.
I replanted but it will be a long time before I see that sight on my table.
Yup, I'm going to cry....

[Tanna]

Ahhhh, summer tomatoes and this salad! So simple and ssoooooooooo good! I live for this one. Most excellent Sher!

[ann]

ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod ohmygod! I can't wait for tomato season out East. bouncebouncebouncebouncebounce... I'm so excited! My tomato plants look like they might not die and might actually produce fruit. yay yay yay yay yay! Who's had to much tea this morning? Ann has! thanks for this salad Sher!

[kristi]

Beautiful tomatoes, Sher. You're such a whiz with the simple meals. Can you please move to NY and cook for me? ;)

[Callipygia]

You're right who needs the rest of dinner with these beauties. But heck- I want some nude bread too!

[kellypea]

Gorgeous. One of my favorite combos. I love tomatoes. The oil, basil and bread are to completely swoon over! Thanks for sending in your salad!

[Susan from Food Blogga]

Is there anything prettier than festively colored summer tomatoes?

[kellypea]

Ah.....you do know I'll dream of this tonight, right? Check out the post tomorrow am. Heavenly to be sure.