How to Make Summer Tomato and Red Onion Salad

This easy salad takes full advantage of summer's finest. Use the absolute best, freshest tomatoes you can - it makes all the difference. This recipe serves four.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 6 to 8 vine-ripened tomatoes
• 1 medium red onion
• 10 to 12 basil leaves
• 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 c., or to taste, balsamic vinegar
• salt and cracked black pepper
• Groceries
• Chef's Knives
• Chef's Knives
• Cutting Boards
• Salad Bowls
• Wooden Spoons

1. Core the tomatoes and cut them in quarters or eighths.

2. 
    

   Place them in a large mixing bowl.

3. Peel and core the onion. Slice it in half vertically.

4. Slice the onion into strips as thin as you can cut them. Add them to the tomatoes.

5. 
    

   Cut the basil leaves into thin strips, about 1/4-inch thick. Place them in the bowl as well.

6. 
    

   Drizzle the olive oil and vinegar over the salad, season it generously with salt and pepper, and toss it together well.

7. Taste a tomato piece to see if it has enough seasoning or balsamic vinegar. Add more of either if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• This dish succeeds only on the strength of the tomatoes. Get the highest quality, freshest ones that you can. Straight out of your own garden is best, but failing those, look for vine-ripened tomatoes that are still connected to the vine.
• You can use any balsamic vinaigrette to dress this salad. You won't need much, though.
• Any sweet onion can be substituted, like Walla Walla, Maui, Vidalia, Rio sweet or Oso sweet.

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on 11/22/2005 I almost hate to give my little secret away, but when I make my tomato salad, I only use Jersey tomatoes, and I add liquid smoke to the oil and garlic. No vinegar. WOW!! It gives it that smoky flavor that's so delicious in the summer.