Grandmas Molded Tomato Salad Recipes

GRANDMA'S HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Add the cucumbers, onions and salt to a bowl, and stir to combine. Set aside for 30 minutes to draw out any excess moisture. Drain and discard the liquid.
• Add the mayonnaise, cider vinegar, dill and sugar to a large bowl; season with pepper and stir to blend. Add the tomatoes and the drained cucumbers and onions, and toss to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

MOLDED TOMATO SALADS

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath, and bring a large saucepan of water to a boil.
• Using a slotted spoon, lower the tomatoes, a few at a time, into the boiling water. Cook 15 to 30 seconds. Transfer tomatoes to the ice bath, and let stand several minutes. Drain the tomatoes in a colander.
• Peel the tomatoes; remove and discard the cores. Slice tomatoes in half, and, using a melon baller, remove and discard all the seeds. Cut the tomato flesh into 1/4-inch dice, and transfer to a medium bowl. Sprinkle tomatoes with 1 teaspoon salt, and let them stand about 25 minutes.
• Place the tomatoes in a sieve, and gently press down on the flesh, extracting as much of the liquid as possible. If your tomatoes are particularly juicy, let them stand 15 minutes more; reserve tomato water to use in sauces or vinaigrettes. Return the tomato flesh to the bowl, and add olive oil, garlic, shallot, and marjoram. Season with salt and pepper; mix to combine.
• Generously brush a 1/2-cup dry measure with olive oil. Fill with tomato mixture, and press down with the back of a spoon, extracting any excess liquid; pour off liquid. Line a salad plate with a shiso leaf. Run a small knife between tomato mixture and the measure, and invert measure on shiso leaf. Gently tap bottom, and unmold salad.
• Repeat step five with the remaining tomato mixture and shiso leaves, and serve.

GRANDMA JANE'S KICKED UP TOMATO AND CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. When cool, crumble the bacon into a large salad bowl. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings, and let cool.
• Mix the bacon drippings and mayonnaise into the crumbled bacon until thoroughly combined; stir in tomatoes and cucumbers. Season to taste with kosher salt, five-peppercorn blend, and cumin. Allow to chill for at least 1 hour before serving (overnight is better).