Summer Tomato Salad
with fresh basil, watercress, & balsamic vinaigrette
Summer equals tomatoes and nothing is tastier than a fresh tomato salad. Unfortunately, I live in a place where it is next to impossible to grow anything other than fresh basil, but have no fear when Whole Foods is near! I usually try to shop local for my ingredients, but I have to say that Whole Foods has this awesome tomato medley that comes pre packaged, which I can’t seem to find anywhere else. It comes with every type of mini tomato, which makes this salad extra yummy and delicious due to all the different textures and tomato flavors. And yes, it’s true, different tomatoes have different flavors! Who knew!
I have not always been a watercress fan. It is quite bitter when eaten raw, but it just so happens to pair quite nicely with this salad. This is basically a bowl of sweetness from the fresh tomatoes and sweet zing of dressing, so by using watercress, there is a balance between the natural bitter tang of watercress and the sweetness from the tomatoes.
I added croutons for a little texture and crunch. I made my own croutons out of a loaf of ciabatta bread that I had to get rid of before it went bad, but store bought is fine (Slice four one inch thick slices of bread and then cube. Drizzle with olive oil and salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10-12 minutes; flip them over halfway through cooking. Cool before plating with the tomatoes and watercress).
I suggest eating this fresh and chilled because it just tastes better. Enough said. So plate up and eat your greens…reds, yellows, and oranges!
Ingredients:Yields 1 Salad
- 1.5lbs Tomatoes, small medley, Sliced in half
- ½ c. Basil, chopped
- ½ Red onion, diced
- 1 c. Watercress
- Salt/Pepper to Taste
- ½ c. Croutons
Balsamic Dressing:
- ¼ c. Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
- 1 Tbsp. Honey
- Splash of Apple Cider Vinegar
Directions:
- Wash and halve the tomatoes, chop the basil and red onion. Set aside.
- Prepare the balsamic dressing by whisking all the ingredients together in a small dish until blended.
- In a large bowl mix the all the salad ingredients together, minus the croutons. Drizzle some dressing over the top and toss together.
- On a plate lay out the mixed salad and then top with the croutons and an extra drizzle of vinaigrette.
- EAT!