TOMATOES NIçOISE

Tomatoes Niçoise image

In the height of summer, a stellar but simple tomato salad is essential dinner party fare. This one has the distinct profile of a niçoise: Thick slices are arranged on a platter, then topped with a garlicky chopped olive vinaigrette and colorful halved cherry tomatoes. A flourish of anchovy plays against the sweet ripeness, and scattered basil leaves are both decorative and a delicious complement.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories easy, quick, salads and dressings

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 small shallot, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, grated
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
8 anchovy fillets, 2 finely chopped and 6 for garnish
2 tablespoons roughly chopped black niçoise or oil-cured olives, plus whole olives for garnish
6 small red tomatoes
12 cherry tomatoes in assorted colors
1 tablespoon small capers, rinsed
12 basil leaves

Steps:

Make the vinaigrette: Put the shallot in a small bowl. Add garlic, salt and pepper and cover with red wine vinegar. Macerate 10 minutes, then whisk in olive oil, chopped anchovy and chopped olives.
Cut each tomato crosswise into 2 thick slices. Place slices on a platter in one layer and season with salt and pepper. Season cherry tomatoes with salt and dress with vinaigrette. Spoon cherry tomatoes and vinaigrette evenly over tomato slices.
Top each tomato slice with half an anchovy filet, then sprinkle with capers. Garnish with basil leaves and whole olives. Serve at cool room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 90, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 7 grams, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 1 gram, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 335 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams