Tomato Salad with Basil Cream Dressing

Bryan hates tomatoes, I love tomatoes. This recipe is for all of the tomato lovers in the world. It is simple. Go to your market (or backyard) and find a few perfectly ripe, juicy, tomatoes that are free of pesticides. Heirlooms would be great. Rinse them. Slice them. Drizzle some decadent creamy dressing on top and enjoy.

Speaking of tomatoes, this Saturday I am going to be judging a tomato competition at Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba in Chicago. If you are in the Chicago area and happen to be growing some really excellent tomatoes: come on down! The winner of the contest gets a trip to Las Vegas, which seems pretty excellent. There are other prizes, too. All courtesy of our friends at Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises. I am excited to spend the morning eating tomatoes (AKA- Bryan’s worst nightmare). More details on the event HERE!

Good tomatoes don’t need much done to them, but this dressing is fantastic. It is great on other things too. I used the leftover on a green salad and it was perfection.

Tomato Salad with Cream Dressing (adapted from a recipe by Simon Hopkinson)

  • 3-4 ripe tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons warm water
  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • pinch of sugar
  • 8-10 basil leaves, chopped

Slice tomatoes and arrange on two plates. Place remaining ingredients in a small jar, cover, and shake until well amalgamated. Pour over tomatoes. Enjoy.

19 comments to “Tomato Salad with Basil Cream Dressing”

  1. The dressing sounds divine, and I love the precious clover-shaped green tomato slices!

  2. I fell head over heels for heirlooms this weekend. Totally making this!

  3. So pretty, so simple, so spectacular. And all the more for you, Tim!

    Made your fresh corn pesto last week to dynamic result. Thanks for sharing your joy.

  4. This looks incredibly simple and delicious. Glad you shared it before I head to teh farmer’s market on Friday.

  5. I am a sucker for beautiful produce simply dressed :) Yum, I must try that dressing soon.

  6. That looks amazing – and I’m getting a whole bunch of heirloom tomatoes tonight at my CSA – yay! Do you think yogurt would work in place of the cream?

  7. Hey cookiepie, I think it will work but I don’t think it will be as delicious. You might need to thin it out a bit more because the yogurt will be thicker than the cream. Give it a try!

  8. My hubby hates tomatoes, as well (primarily raw ones – he’ll eat them cooked), but I’ve slowly turned him on to heirlooms – especially the less acidic ones. He still doesn’t love the texture but the taste is growing on him!

    Nothing like a tomato and mayo sandwich with a bit of salt and pepper….great use for Duke’s mayo!

  9. What a perfect summer salad! This time of year produces some of the best tasting tomatoes. Love the simplicity of the dressing. Nice job!

  10. My mouth is watering just looking at your photos! Definitely will try your dressing. My dad used to grow phenomenal beefstake tomatoes, surrounding them with ashes from the fire place. He said it made them sweeter and I believe they were.

  11. tomatoes are my favorite – I hope the tasting event was topped off with free paella!

  12. this looks delicious! I am a lover, my husband is a hater, so this dressing will help me enjoy all the seasons tomatoes on my own!

  13. Hi, Tim,

    I am trying to reach you about an idea we at the Monitor have, but your e-mail address “tim@lottieanddoof.com” came back as undeliverable. Could you send me the new one, please?

    Thanks!

    John

  14. oh boy i can’t wait to make this! i have the most lovely tomatoes just waiting for the perfect recipe…

  15. Ahhhhh, Simon Hopkinson. Should’ve known he’d have something so simple & lovely up his sleeves. After Italizanizing our tomatoes all month, I’m drawn to something a little different about now, also. Basil’s still left in the beds…. Bookmarking this one.

  16. Yum. Heirloom Tomatoes are the best!
    So juicy. You should try them on pizzas if you have not already. Their moisture adds the perfect lightness to the dough and you really don’t need any sauce but they are great paired with pesto.

    Best!

  17. This looks delightful! On the agenda for this weekend.

  18. amazing tomatoes. holy omg. those are simply … beautiful. thanks!

  19. This was absolutely delicious – the perfect summer salad.

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