If when you think about produce you can bite into and you only think apples and peaches then it’s time to retrain your brain. With the onset of summer, there’s no better piece of produce to bite into than a sweet, juicy, and perfectly ripe tomato, especially one of the heirloom variety (my personal favorite!). Brimming with vitamins (especially C), antioxidants, and the phytonutrient lycopene, tomatoes are one of the healthiest bites to incorporate into your diet.
If you’re not ready to bite in, try one of these three simple and classic recipes that truly allow the beauty and sweet flavor of tomatoes to sing. Thank goodness for the summer sun!
Balsamic Drizzled Heirlooms
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon minced shallots
4 ripe heirlooms tomatoes (or tomatoes of your choice)
Salt and pepper
Mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and shallots. Rinse and thinly slice tomatoes. Arrange tomatoes, overlapping slightly, on plate. Drizzle oil and vinegar dressing over tomatoes and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Garnish with baby arugula leaves and enjoy.
Avocado Tomato Salad
1 avocado, peeled and thinly sliced
1 tomato, thinly sliced
A small handful of chopped fresh chives or sliced green onions
Lemon juice
A pinch of salt and pepper
Arrange slices of avocado and tomato on a plate. Sprinkle with chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Simple Tomato Sandwich
1 heirloom tomato, thinly sliced
2 leaves basil
Crusty bread of your choice
Oil and vinegar
Salt and pepper
(Optional bacon or mozzarella cheese)
Toast bread and lightly drizzle with olive oil. Stack tomatoes, basil, and bacon or cheese (if using) on bread and further drizzle with oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a midday snack.