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Chinese Tomato Salad 3

Serves 4 to 6 Salad vegetarian, Salads

Chinese Tomato Salad 3

Chinese Tomato Salad 3 reflects the unpretentious charm of home kitchens across China, where ingredients are cherished and techniques passed down through generations. This dish is a staple at family meals, assembled with an intuitive touch that speaks to the heart of home cooking. The balance of salt is a personal art, honed by hand, while the generous use of olive oil makes each bite lush and inviting.

The salad offers a refreshing burst of flavor, with ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers dressed in lemon's bright acidity. The herbs lend their fragrance, weaving through the dish like a whisper of summer. It's a simple yet deeply satisfying dish, best enjoyed as part of a shared meal, inviting everyone to savor its uncomplicated brilliance.

Ingredients

  • 3tomatoes
  • 1cucumber
  • 80 mlolive oil
  • lemonjuiced
  • herbs — chopped
  • to tastefine sea salt

Method

  1. Start by washing 3 tomatoes and 1 cucumber thoroughly under cold running water. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Slice the tomatoes into wedges, ensuring each piece is about the same size for even flavor distribution. Peel the cucumber if desired, then slice it into thin rounds, aiming for uniform thickness to ensure consistent texture in each bite.
  2. Place the sliced tomatoes and cucumber in a large mixing bowl. This will give you enough space to mix without crowding, which helps maintain the integrity of the ingredients. Keep the bowl in the refrigerator while you prepare the dressing to keep the vegetables crisp and refreshing.
  3. In a small bowl, combine 80 ml of olive oil with the juice of one lemon. Stir well to create a balanced dressing. Add fine sea salt to taste, starting with a small pinch and adjusting as needed. The goal is to enhance the natural flavors of the vegetables without overpowering them.
  4. Remove the mixing bowl with the vegetables from the refrigerator. Pour the dressing over the tomatoes and cucumber. Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, over the salad for added freshness and aroma.
  5. Gently toss the salad using two large spoons or your hands. Lift and turn the ingredients carefully to ensure they are evenly coated with the dressing, while keeping the tomato wedges intact. The salad should glisten with the dressing, and the herbs should be evenly distributed.
  6. Transfer the salad to a serving platter immediately. The freshness of the tomatoes and cucumber is best enjoyed right away, while the flavors are vibrant and the textures crisp. Serve with slices of crusty bread to soak up the delicious dressing, inviting everyone to share and enjoy.
Cover of Authentic Chinese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Chinese Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Chinese Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Chinese volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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