The best cucumber tomato salad (+Video), made with the finest heirloom tomatoes, fragrant basil and oregano, cucumbers, green and red onions in a homemade Italian olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing.
I’ve been dying to bring back this tomato salad recipe from the archives, because more than anything it reminds me of the man in the photo, my grandfather. This space only exists because of him, and it all started with this rustic salad.
I must have watched him make it a hundred times, mesmerized by his weathered old hands, wrinkled and scarred from years of hard work in the fields…
Made with the finest home grown heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs, then tossed in a rustic vinaigrette of extra virgin olive oil and vinegar, the essence of summer in a bowl.
The irregular slicing and chopping of ingredients into wedges and strips for an impeccable rustic presentation, has never left my memory. Tiny basil and oregano leaves and blossoms add the perfect garnish to a meal that is already perfect before even being dressed.
As hard as i try, I must admit: that childhood magic permeating that old rustic kitchen and every meal coming out of it, still eludes me to this day. But I keep trying…
This heirloom tomato and cucumber salad is the best thing I ever ate!
Easy to make, healthy, paleo and perfect for a crowd!
Goes well with grilled chicken, salmon, steak and mozzarella cheese. Or give it a mediterranean spin with crumbled feta cheese, olives and dill.
Healthy cucumber tomato salad with heirloom tomatoes, basil, oregano, onions and dressed in the ultimate olive oil and vinegar Italian vinaigrette.
- 2 Lb Organic Heirloom Tomatoes cut into wedges
- 1 English Cucumber -seedless thinly sliced
- 6 Scallions or 1/2 cup red onion -sliced
- 2-3 Tbs red wine vinegar or lemon juice (to taste)
- 1/3 c extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 Tsp Sea Salt + more to taste
- Black Pepper to taste -freshly cracked
- 1/4 c basil leaves + blossoms (for garnish)
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme + oregano leaves for garnish (optional)
Whisk the olive oil, red wine vinegar or lemon juice, sea salt and black pepper together. Taste and adjust seasonings with more sea salt, vinegar or olive oil. Taste and adjust again until the perfect acidity balance is achieved to your liking.
Pour over the sliced tomatoes, cucumber and scallions and toss to coat gently. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes before serving. Toss to coat again just before serving sprinkled with the fresh herbs.
#1. When making the vinaigrette, keep in mind that no two olive oils or vinegars will ever be the same. So taste and adjust seasonings, repeat again 11 times if you must until a perfect acidic balance is achieved.
#2. You can replace the red wine vinegar with equal amounts of apple cider vinegar.
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Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
April 20, 2016 at 12:25 amOh my gosh – what a rather gorgeous salad. Just what I would love to have for lunch.
Jemma
April 20, 2016 at 1:20 amI love simple salads and this looks amazing!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy
April 20, 2016 at 5:40 amWe have a new organic supermarket here and they have awesome heirloom tomatoes. I can’t wait to give this a try. BBQ season is here and this is perfect!!
Amanda {Striped Sptaula}
April 20, 2016 at 6:25 amYour post made me smile. I have so many fond memories of my grandfather and his heirloom tomato crops as well. Aren’t those the most special memories? Your grandfather’s cucumber and tomato salad is gorgeous. (And, I totally relate to drinking the juices at the bottom of the bowl! I’ve also been known to soak them up with a crusty wedge of bread! 🙂 )
Florentina
April 20, 2016 at 12:56 pmYes ! You know wha i mean about those juices. And yes, bruschetta is mandatory to wipe that salad bowl clean ~ Florentina Xo’s
Kate @ VeggieDesserts
April 20, 2016 at 6:53 amWhat a lovely salad, and sweet tribute to your grandfather. 🙂
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
April 20, 2016 at 1:46 pmGorgeous salad! Your grandfather certainly knew what he was doing. Seems like the old-timers knew a good thing. I love your salad arrangement — it captures the eye and it stimulates the appetite !
Florentina
April 21, 2016 at 1:59 pmAbsolutely, they had that magic going in their dishes without a doubt. This salad just feeds my soul, I could never be bored of it. Tomatoes and cucumbers are my lifeline. ha!
Rachel @ Bakerita
April 25, 2016 at 1:50 pmWhat a sweet tribute to your grandfather and such an incredibly beautiful salad – I love the look of those heirlooms!
Tiffany
June 9, 2016 at 12:20 pmDo you really only use an iPhone for all your photos? They’re so good!
Florentina
June 11, 2016 at 12:10 pmHi Tiffany, I have since purchased a camera, half the price of my iphone ha, but I go back and forth between my Iphone and my camera.