Tangy Tomato Marinade Salad
Recipe for a Delicious Tomato Marinade Salad with Balsamic Dressing and Perilla Leaves
This recipe features a vibrant tomato marinade salad, enhanced with the aromatic freshness of perilla leaves and onions, all coated in a rich balsamic dressing. It’s perfect as a refreshing salad or an elegant appetizer paired with bread.
Main Ingredients- 4 ripe tomatoes (medium to small size)
- 3 fresh perilla leaves (shiso leaves)
- 1/4 medium onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 3 fresh perilla leaves for their fragrant aroma and 1/4 medium onion for a hint of sharpness.
Step 2
Finely mince the onion. For the perilla leaves, roll them up tightly, slice them thinly into shreds, and then mince them finely. This ensures they blend well with the dressing. Gently separate any clumps.
Step 3
In a large bowl, combine the finely minced perilla leaves and onion. Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil for a fresh, rich flavor.
Step 4
Next, add 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar, the key ingredient for that delightful tanginess. The deep, sweet aroma of balsamic vinegar will beautifully complement the other ingredients.
Step 5
To further enhance the zestiness, add 3 tablespoons of regular vinegar. Then, incorporate 2 tablespoons of honey to balance the flavors. Finally, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined to create a delicious balsamic dressing. Using a whisk or a fork will help incorporate all the ingredients smoothly.
Step 6
Now it’s time to prepare the star ingredient: the tomatoes. We’re using 4 tomatoes that have been nicely aged in the refrigerator after being purchased during a sale. These are medium to small-sized tomatoes, slightly smaller than an adult’s fist.
Step 7
Wash the prepared tomatoes thoroughly under running water. Remove the stem ends and cut each tomato in half lengthwise.
Step 8
Take each halved tomato and cut it in half again lengthwise. This will divide each tomato into four pieces.
Step 9
Now, cut each of the quartered tomato pieces into three smaller segments. This method results in approximately 12 bite-sized pieces per tomato, making them easy to eat. If you are using larger tomatoes, cutting them into quarters might be sufficient.
Step 10
Gently add the cut tomato pieces to the bowl with the balsamic dressing. Toss carefully to avoid crushing the tomatoes, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. While delicious served immediately, chilling the salad in the refrigerator for about a day allows the flavors to meld beautifully, resulting in an even richer taste.
Step 11
Your fresh and flavorful tomato marinade salad is ready! Enjoy your delicious creation.
