CHEF JOHN'S TOMATO AND "DIRT" SALAD

Chef John's Tomato and

This is my version of a salad I had at a restaurant. Tomatoes at the peak of their season work best and the 'dirt' is actually a mixture of mushrooms, rye bread crumbs, and ground almonds.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Salad

Time 20m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil, or more if needed
3 large brown mushrooms, finely minced
1 pinch salt
3 slices dark rye bread
1 tablespoon finely ground almonds
8 ounces burrata cheese
3 ripe fresh tomatoes, sliced
¼ cup white wine vinegar, or to taste
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, or to taste
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Steps:

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add finely minced mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Cook and stir until mushrooms completely dry out and turn golden brown, 7 or 8 minutes, reducing heat slightly toward the end if needed.
Break bread into large chunks and place in food processor. Pulse on and off until processed into fine crumbs. Add crumbs to mushroom mixture. Cook over medium heat until breadcrumbs are completely dried out, dark brown and toasted. Drizzle in more oil if needed. Stir in ground almonds. Continue cooking on medium until pieces of almond turn brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow "dirt" mixture to cool to room temperature.
Scoop spoonfuls of burrata into serving bowls. Arrange tomato slices on top. Drizzle with white wine vinegar and a generous drizzle of olive oil. Season with kosher salt, black pepper, and basil. Sprinkle with "dirt" mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 438.8 calories, Carbohydrate 17 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Fat 34.1 g, Fiber 2.9 g, Protein 12.3 g, SaturatedFat 11.1 g, Sodium 445.4 mg, Sugar 4.1 g