Tomato Salad with Herbed Ricotta and Balsamic Vinaigrette

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/tomato-salad-herbed-ricotta-balsamic-vinaigrette

Photo from My Recipes.com website.

Hands-on Time: 13 Mins    Total Time: 13 Mins

Yield

Serves 4 (serving size: about 1/2 cup salad)

By DEBORAH MADISON 

RECIPE BY COOKING LIGHT

Sliced heirloom tomatoes are wow-worthy on their own--a simple vinaigrette and dollops of basil-flecked ricotta take them over the top. Serve with toasted baguette slices to sop up any tomato juices.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 

• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 

• 3/8 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 

• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided 

• 2 garlic cloves, minced 

• 1/3 cup part-skim ricotta cheese 

• 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil 

• 2 pounds heirloom tomatoes, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices

• 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves

Step 1.

Combine oil, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and garlic in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Combine ricotta and 2 tablespoons minced basil in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Arrange tomato slices on a platter; sprinkle with remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 cup torn basil leaves. Drizzle oil mixture over salad. Dollop ricotta mixture evenly over tomato slices.

My thoughts:

After having switched to the Mediterranean diet, and having consumed regular boring lettuce salads for years, I find these types of salads so much more refreshing to have. Not only are they refreshing, it’s also prettier than a regular green salad. Just look at all of the colors in the photo above. As salads go, especially when tomatoes are the main ingredients, this was a quick and easy one to make. Slice, sprinkle some herb, mix, and you’re set to have a nice, refreshing salad, the ricotta cheese mixture gives this a nice little kick and adds the zest to this recipe. It’s wonderful.