Simple Summer Tomato Salad Recipe
Tomato salad is a refreshing and simple dish that's perfect for summer. Here's a healthy basic recipes for a classic tomato salad, but feel free to get creative and add your favorite ingredients to customize it to your taste.
Servings: 4
Calories: 120kcal
Ingredients
- 4 -6 Ripe tomatoes (use a variety of colors and types for a visually appealing salad)
- 1/2 Red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 Cup fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped
- 2/3 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional additions: mozzarella cheese, cucumber, bell peppers, olives, capers, or avocado
Instructions
- Prepare the Tomatoes: Wash the tomatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces. You can slice them, dice them, or even use a mix of different shapes for a more interesting presentation.
- Slice the Red Onion: Thinly slice the red onion. If you find raw onion too strong, you can soak the slices in cold water for a few minutes to mellow the flavor, then drain well.
- Tear the Basil: Tear or chop the fresh basil leaves into small pieces. Basil adds a wonderful aroma and flavor to the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the tomatoes, red onion, and torn basil leaves. If you're adding any optional ingredients like mozzarella cheese, cucumber, bell peppers, olives, capers, or avocado, add them at this stage.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar) over the salad. Start with smaller amounts and adjust to your taste. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss Gently: Use salad tongs or two large spoons to gently toss the salad, making sure the tomatoes are coated with the dressing and the other ingredients are well distributed.
- Chill: Place the salad in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and enhances the overall taste.
- Serve: Once the salad is properly chilled, serve it as a side dish or even as a light main course. Garnish with additional basil leaves if desired.
- Enjoy: Enjoy your refreshing tomato salad on a hot summer day! It's perfect as a side dish for grilled meats, seafood, or as a standalone meal with some crusty bread.
- Feel free to adjust the ingredients and quantities based on your preferences. This tomato salad is very versatile, and you can experiment with different types of tomatoes and additional ingredients to suit your taste.