Fresh Tomato and Chive Salad

The tomatoes in my garden are doing pretty well this summer. I have a cherry tomato plant (they’re pretty large for cherry tomatoes, though) and a regular-size tomato plant. The cherry tomatoes are doing especially well. With all these fresh tomatoes I was picking, I was wanting to try a few tomato salad recipes with them. This particular recipe is from an older cookbook I have, The Tomato Cookbook. You are supposed to use regular-size tomatoes for this, but since I had more cherry tomatoes, I substituted those. They worked out fine except that they’re a little harder to slice because of their small size. So, if you can, I recommend going with regular-size tomatoes if you have them. 

Here’s a little tomato tip from the cookbook: “Always serve tomatoes for eating raw at room temperature. Bring out their natural sweetness with a pinch of sugar and choose a dressing which will not smother their flavor. Drizzle a good-quality olive oil over and add freshly chopped herbs.”

OK, now for the recipe…this serves four; if you’re making it for a larger group, it’s an easy recipe to double.

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FRESH TOMATO AND CHIVE SALAD by NancyC

Makes 4 servings

• 1 lb. fresh tomatoes, at room temperature (about 4 medium size)
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon snipped fresh chives

Thinly slice the tomatoes, discarding ends, and arrange on a platter.

Sprinkle the sugar, salt, and pepper over the tomatoes. Set aside for 30 minutes at room temperature.

Beat the oil and vinegar together and drizzle over the tomatoes; then sprinkle on the chives. Let set for another 30 minutes before serving.

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One thing I did a little differently, since I was using cherry tomatoes, was that I arranged the tomatoes on individual salad plates and added the dressing and chives over each individual plate of tomatoes. But if you’re using regular-size or large tomatoes, the slices look really nice arranged on a large oval platter.

I really liked this salad, because it’s so easy and it’s a great way to eat fresh tomatoes! I thought it sounded odd to sprinkle sugar on tomatoes, but it really does add something, and it’s just a small amount. If you are a tomato-lover, I think you will enjoy this salad!