Description
Mediterranean flavors dance in this Lebanese Tomato Salad, blending fresh cucumbers, parsley, and zesty sumac. Crisp ingredients mingle with a tangy olive oil dressing, delivering a refreshing experience you’ll savor with each vibrant bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Fresh Produce:
- 2 lbs (907 grams) campari tomatoes, quartered
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) parsley, chopped
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Oils:
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare a clean mixing bowl and slice ripe tomatoes into precise quarter segments, ensuring uniform size and shape.
- Carefully remove stem and seeds from red bell pepper, then section into quarters for smooth blending.
- Utilize a food processor to transform bell pepper and garlic into a silky, uniform paste with consistent texture.
- Create the dressing by transferring the pepper-garlic paste into a separate bowl, then incorporate smoked paprika, sumac, salt, pepper, and olive oil, whisking until ingredients harmonize.
- Gently cascade the vibrant dressing over tomato quarters, using a delicate folding technique to ensure even coating without bruising the delicate fruit.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley throughout the salad, distributing the herb for balanced flavor and visual appeal.
- Seal the bowl with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for precisely 30 minutes at 40°F, allowing flavors to intensify and meld together.
- Present the chilled Lebanese tomato salad in a decorative serving vessel, ready to be enjoyed as a refreshing accompaniment to main dishes.
Notes
- Select ripe, firm tomatoes for the best flavor and texture, ensuring they’re not overripe or mushy.
- Customize the dressing’s heat by adjusting the garlic quantity or adding a pinch of chili flakes for extra kick.
- Serve the salad chilled for a refreshing Mediterranean-style side dish that complements grilled meats or as a standalone light meal.
- For a vegan version, ensure all ingredients are plant-based and consider adding toasted pine nuts for extra protein and crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Lebanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg