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Simple Cherry Tomato Salad

This simple cherry tomato salad can be served as a side salad by itself, or as a component of a larger dish.
The mixture of gently pickled garlic, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs provides a great mix of vibrant, bright flavors.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • ½ tsp Kosher salt
  • 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp white granulated sugar
  • ¼ tsp dried oregano
  • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • ½ clove garlic (very finely sliced)
  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley leaves (finely chopped)
  • 3 large fresh basil leaves (very finely sliced)

Instructions 

  • Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, and transfer to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
  • Toss the halved cherry tomatoes together with the Kosher salt, and allow the
  • tomatoes to sit at room temperature for ten minutes to drain off some liquid while
  • you prepare the dressing.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, white granulated
  • sugar, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, and finely-sliced garlic, and wait
  • for five minutes.
  • Whisk in the Extra Virgin olive oil, along with the chopped fresh parsley and
  • sliced fresh basil leaves.
  • This is your prepared dressing.
  • Discard the excess liquid that has drained from the halved tomatoes that you salted
  • earlier, and then add the prepared dressing.
  • Toss the cherry tomatoes together with the dressing until evenly coated.
  • Serve when ready.

Notes

This cherry tomato salad can be made in advance and cooled down in the fridge,
although note that the fresh herbs have a tendency to turn a bit brown in color after
they have been chopped.