Description
Summer’s lightest delight, strawberry and tomato salad, brings Mediterranean freshness to your plate with crisp, sweet, and tangy flavors. Garden-ripe ingredients dance together, promising a refreshing escape that you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Vegetables:
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
Dressing and Seasoning:
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze (or balsamic vinegar)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings:
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta or fresh mozzarella
- 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts or almonds
Instructions
- Halve the strawberries and slice cherry tomatoes into bite-sized segments, creating a vibrant mix of colors and shapes.
- Thinly slice red onion into delicate, translucent ribbons for a sharp, crisp texture.
- Create a light dressing by whisking together balsamic glaze and extra virgin olive oil, ensuring smooth, glossy consistency.
- Season the liquid mixture with freshly ground black pepper and sea salt to enhance the natural flavors.
- Gently fold the dressing into the fruit and vegetable medley, coating each piece without crushing the delicate ingredients.
- Tear fresh basil leaves into rustic pieces, scattering them throughout the salad for an aromatic burst of herbaceous flavor.
- Optional: Crumble soft cheese over the top for a creamy, tangy element that complements the sweet and acidic notes.
- Sprinkle toasted nuts across the surface, providing a satisfying crunch and nutty undertone.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature within 15 minutes of preparation to maintain the salad’s fresh, vibrant character.
Notes
- Swap regular tomatoes with heirloom varieties for a more vibrant color and complex flavor profile.
- Toast nuts like almonds or pine nuts just until golden to enhance their nutty essence without burning.
- For a vegan version, replace cheese with nutritional yeast or creamy avocado chunks to maintain richness.
- Macerate the red onion in a bit of vinegar before adding to mellow its sharp bite and soften its texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 238 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 230 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg