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Filipino Tomato Salad 3

Serves 4 to 6 Salad vegetarian, Salads

Filipino Tomato Salad 3

Filipino Tomato Salad 3, a homegrown staple, finds its roots in the everyday kitchens of the Philippines. This dish doesn't wait for a special occasion; it graces tables all year round, a familiar presence at lunches and dinners where family and friends gather. Unlike its more formal restaurant counterparts, this salad is crafted with a pinch of intuition and a sprinkle of memory, capturing the essence of home cooking.

Bright and refreshing, this salad bursts with the juicy sweetness of ripe tomatoes and the crispness of cucumber, all brought together by a generous drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. Fine sea salt, added to taste, enhances the natural flavors, while fresh herbs lend a fragrant finish. It's a dish meant to be shared, embodying the spirit of communal dining without pretense or ceremony.

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 to remove any dirt or residues. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Slice the tomatoes into wedges and the cucumber into thin rounds, about 1/4-inch thick, for a balanced texture and flavor in each bite.
  2. Place the sliced tomatoes and cucumber in a large mixing bowl. This will give you enough space to toss the salad without spilling. Ensure the bowl is cool to help keep the salad fresh and crisp.
  3. In a small bowl, combine 80 ml of olive oil with the juice of one lemon. Whisk them together until they are well emulsified, creating a smooth dressing. Add a pinch of fine sea salt to taste, keeping in mind that the salt should enhance the flavors without overpowering them.
  4. Pour the dressing over the tomatoes and cucumber in the mixing bowl. Add your choice of fresh herbs, such as cilantro or basil, for an aromatic touch. The herbs should be roughly chopped to release their flavors without overwhelming the salad.
  5. Using a large spoon, gently toss the salad to coat the vegetables evenly with the dressing. Be careful not to break the tomato wedges; they should remain intact to maintain the salad's texture and appearance.
  6. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or lemon juice to suit your preference. The salad should have a bright, fresh taste with a hint of acidity from the lemon.
  7. Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual plates. Serve at once with crusty bread on the side, allowing the bread to soak up the flavorful dressing and juices from the salad. Enjoy this refreshing dish as part of a shared meal.
Cover of Authentic Filipino Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Filipino Cuisine

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

Available soon on Amazon…

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