When tomatoes first come into season, eating them plain – with a sprinkle of salt or a drizzle of olive oil – is the way to go. Soon, however, we all look for variety. These easy tomato salads are simple enough for great tomatoes to shine, but add a few other elements to keep things exciting all tomato season long.
1. Caprese Salad
Photo © Molly Watson
Caprese salad is an Italian classic that is well worth imitating – as long as you do it right. Use only truly ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, excellent olive oil, spanking fresh basil, and sparkling sea salt.
2. Corn, Tomato, Basil Salad
Photo © Molly Watson
This raw salad requires the sweetest and most delicious corn. Old or super starchy kernels simply won't do here. Sweet corn, ripe tomatoes, and fresh basil are a triad that screams summer.
3. Cucumber, Corn, Tomato Salad
Photo © Molly Watson
Fresh, crunchy, and sweet - that's this super summer salad. If you bother to dice the cucumber and tomato into pieces as small (or about as small) as corn kernels, you can even serve it as a relish on top of grilled meats.
4. Fattoush Salad
Photo © Molly Watson
Feel free to add extra tomatoes to this recipe if the tomatoes you have are ripe and delicious. Play with the proportions of other ingredients to suit your tastes (I've been known to add more toasted pita chips and toasted cumin!).
5. Tomato Chickpea Salad
Photo © Molly Watson
Grape or halved cherry tomatoes, chickpeas, green onions, and a simple dressing with mint and lemon make a surprisingly tasty summer salad.
