Garlicky Tomato Salad
When tomatoes are at their peak of sweetness, this garlicky tomato salad is particularly delicious. It’s eye-catching, too, if you make it with a mixture of different-coloured tomatoes—new varieties are coming on the market all the time.
1 large leaf lettuce, large leaves torn into smaller pieces
4 large or 6 small ripe Italian tomatoes, about 500 g in total, sliced
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
16 fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds
Garlic Vinaigrette
1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
1 1⁄2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
pepper to taste
- To make the garlic vinaigrette, whisk together the garlic, vinegar, oil and pepper in a small mixing bowl.
- Place a layer of lettuce leaves on a serving platter or on 4 plates and arrange the sliced tomatoes and then the cherry tomatoes on top. Drizzle over the vinaigrette.
- Scatter the basil leaves and the pumpkin and sunflower seeds over the tomatoes, and serve at once.
Garlicky tomato salad variations: Try a salad of cherry tomatoes and sugar snap peas. Trim 250 g sugar snap peas and steam for about 3 minutes or until tender but still crisp. Refresh under cold running water, then cool. Mix with 370 g cherry tomatoes, halved if large, and 6 thinly sliced green onions. Make the garlic vinaigrette as in the main recipe and drizzle it over the tomatoes and peas. Add 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, or 1 tablespoon each chopped fresh tarragon and parsley, and toss to mix.
preparation time 10 mins
serves 4 (as a starter) or 2 (as a main dish)
PER SERVING
164 calories
4 g protein
14 g total fat
2 g saturated fat
0 mg cholesterol
5 g total carbohydrate
4 g sugars
5 g fibre
22 mg sodium
Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamin C, an important nutrient for maintaining immunity and healthy skin. The vitamin C is concentrated in the jelly-like substance surrounding the seeds.
Source: Cook Smart for a Healthy Heart, Reader's Digest Canada
