Fresh Tomato and Onion Salad

Each year I plant a tomato garden.

But, this year the tomato plants were a bit confused because in my area, the  weather wasn’t as hot as it usually is in the spring time.

The tomato plants think that it’s still summer and they’re starting to bloom and produce tomatoes.

And….I’m not going to be the one who breaks the news to these tomato plants that it’s fall.

I’m hoping they continue to be confused so they’ll produce tomatoes as long as possible.

There is a small critter on this tomato vine.  Can you see it?  I think he’s camera shy.

Maybe I’ll put some beach balls out in the tomato garden with some tall glasses of iced tea with those little umbrellas sticking out of the glass….anything to keep tricking these tomatoes into thinking it’s still summer.

Here’s a brand new tomato plant that just started to sprout a couple weeks ago.  It’s not one that I planted, it’s just growing wild from tomatoes that I’ve picked in prior years that were over ripe…I usually just throw them back in the soil so they’ll seed the next year.

Okay, enough about my tomato plants and more about this simple, pretty, and tasty  tomato and onion salad.

My neighbor actually made this simple dish for me and it was so good.  You see, my neighbor and I have this plate that we give each other goodies on.  It started when I brought her over some sweets that I made for this blog, and then she returned that same plate to me with something that she made.  Then I returned it to her with something I made…….it’s kind of like a friendship food tag.

Let’s check out the ingredients.

Here’s how to make it.

Slice the tomatoes into fairly thick slices (about ½ inch wide slices).

Lay the tomato slices on a large flat plate or platter.

Sprinkle a dash of salt over each slice of tomato.  Did you know there were 6 to 8 dashes in a teaspoon?  (I didn’t, so I look it up..thank goodness for the internet).

For each slice of tomato, cut one extra thin slice of red onion.

Lay a slice of red onion over each slice of tomato.

Generously drizzle the olive oil over the top of each slice of onion so that the tomato is covered in the olive oil.  Depending on the size of your plate, you may need more olive oil.

I’m topping these with fresh parsley because I have so much in my herb garden right now.  But I’m sure fresh basil or other herbs would taste great with this too if you prefer.

Chop the parsley.

Add the parsley to the top of each onion.

If you have the time, let this sit for about an hour before serving.

Serve as is or with crumbled blue cheese, shavings of Romano or Parmesan cheese, small pieces of bacon, tuna salad, or your favorite topping.

Enjoy!

Print Recipe

Fresh Tomato and Onion Salad

Yield: Serves 4 to 5

Ingredients:

3 extra large Ripe Tomatoes
1 ½ teaspoons Salt
1 large Red Onion
6 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 tablespoons chopped Fresh Parsley

Directions:

Slice the tomatoes into fairly thick slices (about ½ inch wide slices). Lay the tomato slices on a large flat plate or platter. Sprinkle a dash of salt over each slice of tomato.

For each slice of tomato, cut one extra thin slice of red onion. Lay a slice of red onion over each slice of tomato. Generously drizzle the olive oil over the top of each slice of onion so that the tomato is covered in the olive oil. Depending on the size of your plate, you may need more olive oil.

Chop the parsley and add it to the top of each slice of onion. If you have the time, let this sit for about an hour before serving.

Serve as is or with crumbled blue cheese, shavings of Romano or Parmesan cheese, small pieces of bacon, tuna salad, or your favorite topping.