Fast & Fresh: Marinated Heirloom Tomato Salad

One of summer's the most versatile fresh vegetables is the TOMATO!

To this day my mom plants a tomato plant every year in anticipation of the luscious, juicy, ripe red tomatoes.  Oh, and my sister planted a Roma tomato plant this year.  I LOVE Roma's.  Unfortunately, so do her squirrels!  I haven't tried my hand at planting tomatoes yet but I sure love to eat them!

On a recent visit to my local farmer's market I spotted a bunch of HEIRLOOM TOMATOES.  All colors, shapes, and sizes.  I was in heaven.  Love those things!  Must be the color varieties.  They just lend such a pretty palate to your dishes.

So what to create?  I wanted a simple side dish that would highlight the pretty colors, and fresh flavors of the tomatoes.  So I found this recipe for Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes Salad from Sunset Magazine.  It was perfect!

The taste was light and refreshing.  The marinade has a ratio that is more vinegar to oil, so it is nice and tangy.  SO YUMMY!  This would be great as a side dish to a picnic, a potluck dish, or along side a grilled dish.  We served it along side my Grilled Chicken and Avocado Pitas.  Fabulous, if I may say so.

So what can be more Fast or Fresh than this???

Try it, you'll love it!

Marinated Heirloom Tomato Salad
Source: Sunset Magazine 

Ingredients

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 pounds mixed heirloom tomatoes
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
Salt and black pepper

Directions

In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil. Rinse and core tomatoes and slice 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick. Arrange in layers in platter or serving dish.  Drizzle vinegar mixture and sprinkling mint, basil, salt, and pepper evenly.

Chill for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. Bring to room temperature before serving.


Linked to:  fresh food friday