Marinated Tomatoes
This simple recipe creates a vibrant marinated tomato salad featuring fresh heirloom tomatoes tossed in a zesty vinaigrette. The dressing combines red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, minced shallot, garlic, salt, and pepper. It's a quick, refreshing side dish that highlights the natural sweetness and acidity of summer tomatoes, perfect for any meal.
Equipment
- 1 Chef's knife
- 1 Cutting Board
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
Main
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot from 1 small shallot
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 pound mixed heirloom tomatoes cut into 1-inch-thick wedges
Instructions
- Finely mince the shallot and garlic cloves.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the red wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, minced shallot, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together thoroughly until well combined and slightly emulsified.
- Wash the mixed heirloom tomatoes and carefully cut them into 1-inch-thick wedges.
- Add the tomato wedges to the bowl with the prepared vinaigrette.
- Gently toss the tomatoes to ensure they are evenly coated with the marinade.
- Cover the bowl and let the tomatoes marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, give the tomatoes another gentle toss to redistribute the dressing.
- Serve the marinated tomatoes immediately as a refreshing side dish or appetizer.
Notes
For the best flavor, select ripe, fragrant heirloom tomatoes; their varied colors and textures enhance the dish. Ensure shallots and garlic are finely minced for an even distribution of aromatic notes. While the recipe suggests 30 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to marinate for 1-2 hours at room temperature will deepen the flavors significantly without over-macerating the tomatoes. Taste and adjust seasoning before serving, as tomato acidity can vary. A garnish of fresh basil or oregano would elevate this simple salad beautifully, adding a fresh, herbaceous finish. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious vinaigrette.