Tomato Salads With a Twist
Let\'s make some unusually delicious twists on tomato salad recipes.
These days, we can buy fresh tomatoes year around. In summer, the locally grown, vine-ripened and hot house tomatoes have the best taste.
Given that the tomato is such a nutritious food, full of essential vitamins and packed with antioxidants, a tomato salad recipe is so simple and delicious, no one objects to this menu item, given that the tomato quality is right. Here we present a few ways to prepare tomato salad recipes which are a little out of the ordinary and 100% delicious.
One of my favorite tomato salad recipes is a traditional Italian dish, called insalata Capri, or Capri style salad. First developed in Capri, this sensational combination quickly spread all over Italy. While Italians serve this as the antipasto course, never as a salad, there\'s no reason not to serve this delectable as a salad at your table.
Insalata Capri is so simple and quick, it\'s great when you\'re short on time. For each salad, use one medium tomato, sliced thinly. Slice about 4 ounces of fresh mozzarella. Arrange the tomato slices in a circle, around the mozzarella in the center of the plate. Chop one large, fresh basil leaf and sprinkle over all. Add a drizzle of olive oil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Basil is the secret to the success of this recipe. IMHO, this is the most heavenly tomato salad recipe, a masterpiece of a salad!
Here\'s another quick tomato salad recipe. This dish is somewhat like a salsa or chutney and may be eaten by itself as a salad, or spooned over a grilled chicken breast or a mild-flavored fish. For two servings, dice two tomatoes, a small sweet onion, two green onions and about a half cup of frozen or drained, canned corn. Add a tablespoon or so of finely chopped cilantro and gently mix all of the ingredients together. If you wish, a half cup of drained, canned kidney beans can be substituted for the corn. Refrigerate for an hour or so to allow the flavors to marry. As a salad, serve in a dessert bowl. As a topping for an entree, allow to reach room temperature and then ladle over your meat. Delicious!
For lunch on the run, the lettuce wrap makes a handy container for your tomato salad. Tear off a chunk of iceberg lettuce, large enough to form a small, hand-held \'bowl\'. Slice a nice juicy tomato thinly. Arrange the slices in the center of your lettuce bowl. Top the tomato with paper thin slices of red Spanish onion and follow with a handful of alfalfa sprouts. Fold and eat! A little dressing is a nice touch, if you\'re eating over a plate! Fire roasted red pepper, or poppy seed honey dressings are good choices here. This tomato salad recipe is great for improvising. Instead of the sprouts, finely slice a half of a ripe avocado for a nice texture contrast.
The basic tomato salad recipe is one of the most versatile you\'ll find for a quick serving of those nutritionally important veggies. Bon Appetit!
Enjoy your salad, Don Trosper
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