Ina Garten Heirloom Tomato Salad Recipes

TOMATOES AND BURRATA

Steps:

• Cut the ball of cheese in half crosswise and place the halves, cut side down, on 2 salad plates. Cut each tomato in half through the stem end and distribute them around the burrata. Drizzle the tomatoes and burrata generously with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. Scatter the basil on the salads, sprinkle with fleur de sel, and serve with Garlic Toasts.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Slice the baguette diagonally into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Depending on the size of the baguette, you should get 20 to 25 slices.
• Lay the slices in one layer on a baking sheet, brush each with olive oil, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Bake the toasts for 15 to 20 minutes, until they are browned and crisp. As soon as they are cool enough to handle, rub one side of the toasts with the cut side of the garlic. Serve at room temperature.

HEIRLOOM TOMATO AND WATERMELON SALAD

Steps:

• Put the tomato and watermelon chunks in a bowl.
• For the honey vinaigrette: Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice and honey in a bowl, and add salt and pepper to taste.
• Drizzle vinaigrette over the tomatoes and watermelon, then toss. Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle over the feta and basil.

TOMATO FETA SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the tomatoes in half and place them in a large bowl. Add the onion, vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, basil, and parsley and toss well. Dice the feta in 1/2- to 3/4-inch cubes, crumbling it as little as possible. Gently fold it into the salad and serve at room temperature.

TOMATO, MOZZARELLA, AND BASIL SALAD

Steps:

• Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella and arrange casually with the basil leaves on a large platter. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve at room temperature.

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH TARRAGON

Steps:

• Cut the large tomatoes in thick slices and the small ones in wedges. Arrange the tomatoes on a platter and sprinkle generously with sea salt.
• Drizzle red wine vinegar all over the tomatoes.
• Using scissors, clip the tarragon leaves over the salad, sprinkle with pepper and drizzle with more red wine vinegar. Allow to sit for 10 minutes and serve at room temperature.

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES WITH HERBED RICOTTA

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the ricotta, scallions, dill, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside for up to 30 minutes.
• With a small serrated knife, cut the larger tomatoes in wedges through the stem and the smaller tomatoes in half through the stem. Place them in a medium bowl with the garlic, olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and set aside.
• When ready to serve, add the basil to the tomatoes and combine. Pile the ricotta in a large (12-inch) round shallow bowl or oval platter. Using a slotted spoon, place the tomatoes around the ricotta, discarding any liquid. Drizzle the tomatoes and ricotta with olive oil, sprinkle with the reserved basil and fleur de sel, and serve at room temperature.
• Set a fine-mesh sieve over a deep bowl. Dampen 2 pieces of cheesecloth with water and line the sieve with a double layer of the cheesecloth.
• Pour the milk and cream into a medium stainless-steel or enameled pot, such as Le Creuset, and stir in the salt. Bring to a full rolling boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat and pour in the vinegar. Allow the mixture to stand for one minute, until it curdles. It will separate into thick parts (the curds) and milky parts (the whey).
• Pour the mixture into the cheesecloth-lined sieve and allow it to drain into the bowl at room temperature for 20 minutes (for soft ricotta) to 25 minutes (for firmer ricotta), occasionally discarding the liquid that collects in the bowl. Transfer the ricotta to a bowl, discarding the cheesecloth and any remaining liquid. Use immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. The ricotta will keep, refrigerated, for 4 to 5 days.

TOMATO FENNEL SALAD

Steps:

• Core the tomatoes and cut into wedges. Remove the top of the fennel (save some fronds for garnish) and slice the bulb very thinly crosswise with a knife or on a mandoline.
• Toss the tomatoes and fennel in a bowl with the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped fennel fronds, season to taste, and serve.

TOMATO AND WATERMELON SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the cubed tomatoes and watermelon in a large, nonreactive bowl and toss gently to combine. Add salt and let stand 5 to 10 minutes while you prepare the dressing.
• Whisk together the oil and vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the cheese to the tomatoes and watermelon, then the dressing, and toss gently to combine.