I still have a couple more berry recipes up my sleeve but the tomatoes are in now so I thought I’d put together a quick and beautiful salad for you that’s got a little extra oomph!
If you’re a regular reader here you know I’m a huge fan of tomatoes and they seem to find their way into many of my dishes but when the time of year comes round when you can get these little beauties locally, you just have to make something special.
Ever since I featured a similar recipe from The View from Great Island on Tuesday Tidbits, I’ve had it in the back of my mind to make something like it. Sue is a phenomenal cook and a true inspiration.
I picked these up at Nicholyn Farms along with some organic shallots and garlic and you know you just have to add some fresh herbs to this combo. I’ve used chives and basil in this one and also added some cilantro in the one I made the next day. They make this salad sing!
It was interesting to see everyone’s comments about pepper on corn in last week’s recipe because you know I just love my pepper but I probably overdid it a little here, hehe! Tomatoes and pepper are such a natural, though. I tend to use very little salt in my recipes so I love to go all out with freshly ground black and white organic pepper.
While I was cutting up the shallots and tomatoes, I roasted some lemon and garlic and simply added them at the end. The salad dressing consists of just extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar and yes, more pepper! If you follow me on Facebook, you would have seen that I tried roasting limes for this. I brushed them with a little olive oil and honey hoping that it would result in an interesting taste. Not so much! You know that limes are powerful, well, roasting them makes them twice as powerful and…. inedible! I should have figured that out when I googled ‘roasted limes’ and there wasn’t a single entry. Live and learn, ha! It was an interesting experiment and that’s what cooking is all about!
You can use any type of tomato you like in this dish and it’s a great way to enjoy the local produce right now. Gosh, the growing seasons go by so quickly, don’t they?
Are you growing tomatoes this summer? A lot of readers seem to have some problems with their tomatoes and I watched a gardening show the other day that said you should expect this some years and it has nothing to do with your gardening skills. The slugs and pesky grubs are persistent and sometimes you have to give up on them that year and find a new spot for them the next year because the grubs take up residence.
I’d love to hear what you’re doing with your tomatoes. And you know I love your pics! Tag me on Instagram at #simplyfreshdinners with your pics and I’ll share 🙂 Cheers!
- 1 lemon, sliced thinly
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 5-6 cloves of garlic, peeled
- 2 pints mixed cherry heirloom tomatoes, halved
- 1 shallot, sliced thinly
- a handful of fresh basil
- 3 – 4 spears of chives, chopped
- small handful of cilantro (optional), chopped
- Dressing
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- freshly ground pepper
- Preheat oven to 350 F
- Place lemon slices and garlic cloves on baking sheet. Mix olive oil and honey in small bowl and brush on to lemon slices. Roast for 20 – 25 minutes.
- Mix dressing ingredients
- Combine shallots, tomatoes and herbs. Add lemon slices and garlic when done. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss very gently. Serve immediately.
50 Comments
Anita Rivera
August 27, 2015 at 5:03 amOh Robyn, those photos….food is that kind of subject that with the right light (as you’ve captured) can entice, inspire, and take your breath away. These tomatoes jump right off the page and are gloriously captured! AND, like you, I lOVE TOMATOES! There was a time that I ate so many my hands turned orange! But I love my marinara sauce, roasted tomatoes and dried. But I’m now interested in your ROASTED LEMON? I’ve never done that before, but with garlic? Now that sounds like something I want to do.
I must run off to get to school but this weekend, I have to try this. HUGS MY FRIEND!
Robyn
August 28, 2015 at 8:16 amThanks so much, Anita. I find when I am especially fond of the food, the pics come out better, lol. I so appreciate your kind words! I love them in all ways too and this weekend I’m going to roast up some tomatoes, onions and jalapenos for a salsa. Can’t wait! The lemon is great roasted 🙂
Hope your week has been a good one, friend!
Robyn recently posted…Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemon and Garlic
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy
August 27, 2015 at 7:58 amRobyn!! These photos are amazing!!!! I am having the worst trouble lately with my lighting and you captured it just perfectly. What are you doing???
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy recently posted…Paleo Plum Crumble with Maple-Ginger Coconut Cream
Robyn
August 28, 2015 at 8:19 amThanks so much, Michelle! I was having trouble as well and I finally found a day where I could shoot outside. I shot on a cloudy day in a covered area. They came out a little darker than I wanted but when I tried to lighten while I was shooting, it all went to hell, lol. Always learning! If I could shoot outside every time I would for sure. I always get my best results that way.
I can’t quite bring myself to use lights. It’s one more thing to set up and where the heck do you store them? lol. My food props have already taken over the house!
Robyn recently posted…Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemon and Garlic
Kathryn Grace
August 27, 2015 at 10:56 amWhat a scrumptious salad! We’re getting cherry tomatoes in our next CSA box, and I’ll be sure to try this recipe–if we can keep ourselves from eating them straight from the colander after we wash them, that is. Roasting lemons with garlic–why didn’t I think of that? But adding the honey? Sheer genius.
As for your question about how I use tomatoes, apart from eating them out of hand this time of year, one of our favorite ways is to make an easy slow-cooker sauce. We never get enough of it and use it so many ways.
Kathryn Grace recently posted…How to make moist, tender whole wheat scones and biscuits
Robyn
August 28, 2015 at 8:22 amOhhh, easy slow cooker sauce? Is that on your blog, Kathryn? I hear the word ‘easy’ and I’m all in, lol.
I munch on them from the colander, too – aren’t they just the best?!
Thanks so much for your visit.
Robyn recently posted…Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemon and Garlic
Mindy
August 27, 2015 at 12:09 pmYour pictures are so amazing that I feel like I could stick my fork through the screen and taste that salad – oh, I wish!! Looks amazing. The regular tomatoes have done pretty well this year but the cherry tomatoes (while tasting yummy inside) have tougher than usual skins. Could be all the heat – not sure? Nothing better than fresh tomatoes, well, except fresh berries : )
Mindy recently posted…Never stop singing
Robyn
August 28, 2015 at 8:25 amLOL, Mindy, you always make me laugh! Yes, it’s a close one between berries and tomatoes but I think the berries win out. I can’t believe fall is almost upon us. I think I need some canning and preserving tips from you and next year it will be time to learn. I’m so going to miss my fresh produce! Barrie Hill Farms freezes their berries and quite a few other veggies though so I’m sure I’ll survive, lol.
Thanks so much for your kind words about the photos. Makes my day!!
Have a great weekend 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemon and Garlic
Bam's Kitchen
August 27, 2015 at 9:05 pmWhat a way to make those harvest tomatoes sing. I really love the simplicity of this dish so that tomatoes can be the real star of the show as they should be. Gorgeous shots my friends! Pinning, sharing, sending smoke signals… !
Bam’s Kitchen recently posted…Crab Stuffed Whitefish
Robyn
August 28, 2015 at 8:26 amThanks so much, Bobbi. The heirlooms are so sweet and delicious I didn’t want to distract from their flavours. I’m still crushing on that gorgeous Crab Stuffed Whitefish of yours. Wow!
Robyn recently posted…Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemon and Garlic
Marie
August 27, 2015 at 10:34 pmGorgeous looking salad! Tomatoes are my absolute favorite veggie. You can do so much with them, and if you get fresh from the garden tomatoes the flavor is so good. Love the photos too. You have such a good eye for pictures. Beautiful!
Robyn
August 28, 2015 at 8:29 amThanks so much, Marie. I shot these outdoors and got lucky that day.
I love the versatility of tomatoes as well. Do you grow them in your garden?
Thanks so much for visiting!
Robyn recently posted…Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemon and Garlic
Marla
August 28, 2015 at 11:21 amHi Robyn,
You must have known I was going to be looking at your post right at lunchtime and I am hungry. That salad look so refreshing, delicious and healthy. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays Pinned & twitted.
Marla recently posted…Real Food Fridays #103 – Our Mission For A Healthier World
Robyn
August 28, 2015 at 1:28 pmLOL, I just had some more of that salad today for lunch, Marla. It really is refreshing. Thanks for all your hard work in putting your party together each week 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Lemon and Garlic
Linda
August 31, 2015 at 6:07 pmThose tomatoes are the star! Great little salad with wonderful herbs. I bet the flavors explode in your mouth. Happy Monday from W.W. xo
Linda recently posted…High Drama Tablescape
Robyn
September 2, 2015 at 6:18 amLinda. I know I’m overdoing it on the salads this summer but I’m having so much fun with them! Hope your week is off to a great start, friend. xoxo
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
August 31, 2015 at 8:24 pmWhat a gorgeous salad, Robyn! I love summer tomatoes…so much flavor! I will be sorry when the end of the season is here but in the meantime, I am eating as many as possible! We’ll be trying your recipe for sure!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life recently posted…Spicy Carrot Refrigerator Pickles, Mexican style
Robyn
September 2, 2015 at 6:19 amThanks so much, Michelle. I’m putting tomatoes to good use, lol. Next up…some chutney and salsa. There’s no end in sight!
Thanks for the visit, busy lady 🙂
Lydia @ Suitcase Foodist
August 31, 2015 at 9:11 pmI LOVE that you roasted the lemons here. What a lovely and unique touch.
Lydia @ Suitcase Foodist recently posted…Buttery Hatch Chile Steamed Mussels
Robyn
September 4, 2015 at 7:18 amThanks so much, Lydia. Once I realized how tasty they were, I seem to find a way to put them in everything, lol. Absolutely LOVE your mussels dish!
Robyn recently posted…Cantaloupe and Raspberries with Blueberry Syrup and Ice Cream
Stephanie
August 31, 2015 at 9:48 pmMmm… this looks so good, my friend. I’m not sure if I have ever told you, but I used to detest tomatoes. While I was pregnant with my son I craved tomatoes like crazy which was quite funny since I always picked them out of everything. After I had my son I no longer wanted them. Oh, I would tolerate a few here and there, but typically I would pick them out. And now for the last month I have been eating them like there is no tomorrow. Maybe it’s because I have been buying them fresh from local farmers….. And lately I want to eat tomatoes mixed in with fresh corn – it’s sooo good 🙂
Thanks for sharing with Roses of Inspiration, dear Robyn. Hugs to you!
Robyn
September 2, 2015 at 6:29 amOh, I’m with you, Stephanie. Corn and tomatoes are so good together. And if you buy your corn from the farms, it is so healthy. How funny that your taste for tomatoes come and go. I’m sure the tomatoes you are getting taste so much better and that could be the reason. There is nothing more disappointing than bringing tomatoes home from the supermarket to discover there is no flavour at all in them.
Thanks so much for visiting 🙂
Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner
September 2, 2015 at 8:04 pmRobyn, just have to say I love these photos – you did an awesome job! I love tomatoes too!
Deb@ Cooking on the Front Burner recently posted…Homemade Tomato Basil Soup
Robyn
September 4, 2015 at 7:20 amThanks so much, Deb! Whenever I get the chance to shoot outside on a cloudy day, I seem to have success. The natural light makes such a difference, doesn’t it?
Your photography is always flawless, and you’ve been a big inspiration for me to work harder 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Cantaloupe and Raspberries with Blueberry Syrup and Ice Cream
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Dr. Jennifer Weinberg MD MPH MBE
September 5, 2015 at 12:39 pmWe have so many beautiful heirloom tomatoes right now from our CSA and this looks like the perfect recipe to enjoy them in! I look forward to trying it this weekend. Thank you!
Dr. Jennifer Weinberg MD MPH MBE recently posted…The Whole Cure Wellness Wednesdays: A Strategy for Intentional Living
Robyn
September 9, 2015 at 6:27 pmThanks, Jennifer. Such a pleasure to find your blog with so much helpful info! Thank goodness more and more people are making use of CSA!
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Jenn
December 3, 2015 at 2:14 pmWow, what a stunning salad! Nothing better than fresh tomatoes! Yum!
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Robyn
December 6, 2015 at 5:17 pmThanks, Jenn. I was lucky to get those tomatoes in the summer from the farmers’ market. I guess it’ll be a few months before I get to see those beauties again! I’ve got to check out your new dish – sounds so intriguing!
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Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
April 2, 2017 at 11:51 pmRobyn, these are some of my favorite photos you have ever done! They are stunning. I am having fun going through your farm content for campaign images 🙂
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Homemade Granola Bars + MY FIRST RECIPE VIDEO!
Robyn
April 3, 2017 at 6:41 amAwwh, thanks, Michelle. These are some of my favourites too. I was very lucky with the light outside that day. I think when you’re photographing your very favourite foods it makes a difference, lol.
Robyn recently posted…Top 10 Rhubarb Recipes
Rebecca Ruelas
May 5, 2017 at 3:03 pmTomato salad is one of my favorite dishes. I didn’t think it could get any better and then you post this!! I love the lemon addition, it’s the perfect mix of flavors. Thank you for posting it!
Robyn
May 6, 2017 at 1:19 pmThanks so much, Rebecca! It’s one of my favourite salads. I just took a quick peek at your blog and I’ll be over later today to see more – lovely!
Marija - TheHealthiestHabits
May 9, 2017 at 3:19 amRobyn, your photos made me hungry even if i just ate my breakfast 🙂 I never tried combining tomatoes with roasted lemons. Will try it soon. But the story of roasted lime is known to me. Tried once, never again hahah
Robyn
May 10, 2017 at 4:19 amThanks so much, Marija! I love roasted lemons and in the summer I grill them with every meal possible. What on earth made us think a roasted lime would work? haha. Live and learn!
GiGi Eats
May 13, 2017 at 6:29 pmCan you, will you…. DELIVER THIS to my mouth. I love tomatoes (husband does not – he he he)… but I never buy them because I eat them like someone might grape tomatoes… In negative 5 seconds – LOL! This looks so delicious though AND makes me think of summers past when my dad was all about the grillin’ the second the weather got warmer!
Robyn
May 13, 2017 at 9:14 pmI can’t get enough of the grill, Gigi. I got that from my Dad too. I think tomatoes are in 90% of my recipes on here, hahaha. I can’t help myself.
Robyn recently posted…Baked Salmon with Easy Pasta Salad
Agness of Run Agness Run
May 15, 2017 at 11:07 amSuch a colorful and delicious salad. I love a light and healthy recipes like this one, Robyn!
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Robyn
June 16, 2017 at 5:41 amThanks, Agnes! Isn’t it great that all the delicious local fruit and veggies are coming into season!
Robyn recently posted…BLT Chickpea Pasta Salad
Karen (Back Road Journal)
June 1, 2017 at 9:16 amTomato salads are one of the sweet pleasures of summer. Your photo makes it look like I could stick a fork in and grab one of them.
Karen (Back Road Journal) recently posted…Almond Olive Oil Cake With Brown Butter Glaze
Robyn
June 3, 2017 at 4:42 amI’m with you, Karen, I look forward to fresh, local tomatoes all year round. I got lucky that day with the photos, lol. I took them outside and the light was just right 🙂
Jessi
June 15, 2017 at 11:19 amWow, amazing looking salad!!!!! Perfect for my summer diet!!! Very nice images. Thanks for sharing:)
Robyn
June 16, 2017 at 5:43 amThanks so much, Jessi. Your sweet comment made my day! It’s easy to diet in the summer with so many delicious local fruits and veggies available. It’s the winters that get us, right? haha!
Robyn recently posted…BLT Chickpea Pasta Salad
Diana Lopes
August 3, 2017 at 3:43 pmThis salad looks perfect! I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m already picturing all the flavors combining so well with each other!
Robyn
August 4, 2017 at 8:41 pmHi Diana, it really is so much simple deliciousness! I love all these easy flavors and they combine so beautifully. I hope you try it. Thanks for visiting!
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