Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
~ Leo Tolstoy
I’ve got to admit, I’m (just a little) salad crazy.
Are you salad crazy too? I know in the summertime it is quite common, when the greens are plentiful & dirt cheap and folks get hot and will do anything to avoid turning on the stove.
The truth is, I’m simply salad crazy all year long.
It doesn’t matter the season, you’ll always find salads in this house. Light fare leaves one still feeling limber after a meal, as nothing makes me lose my spark quicker than an over full (and over-taxed) stomach.
Don’t chase your dreams, catch them.
~ Unknown
Today’s salad is a celebration of a classic. The tomato salad at its core is about as basic a salad as it gets.
Whether you use beefsteak, heirloom, romas, or tomatoes on the vine, take a few tomatoes, slice them up and you’ve got one of the best salads around. Here, I started with whole cherry tomatoes. Easy peasy.
A visit to the store will quickly tell you what tomatoes to buy. Buy them ripe, as ripe as you can while still being firm to the touch. These beloved healthy gems are one of those things that most people love, though there are a few folks I have met that simply don’t care for them.
Personally, I could eat them everyday, (and sometimes do).
There are the classic red tomatoes. There are so many kinds out there it’s crazy. Buy the ones that look the best to you. That way you know you’ll enjoy them more. It’s that simple.
Words have wings…so speak good things.
~ Anonymous
These orange beauties caught my eye, can you see why? They are so gorgeous, and right then and there I knew it was a tomato salad night.
Our family loves bocconcini, or fresh mozzarella balls, and Caprese salad is always a huge hit. Here is a sweet & simple version made with pearl bocconcini, but you can use what ever size you like (in tomatoes or bocconcini really). I like this as it incorporates greens into the mix – because really, why not?
Vegan? Hint: cube up some firm tofu the same size as the tomatoes and let it soak in the juice of half a lemon and a pinch of salt before adding to the mixture. Your results will look just as beautiful as this, without the added dairy. More easy peasy. More delicious.
The only thing I know, is that I know nothing.
~ Socrates
The Less:
Fewer ingredients means preparation in seconds. Fewer dressing needs means adding flavor with just a few splashes. Less need for complication means getting in the kitchen is easy, fun, and delicious, so your meal and the day to follow are yours to enjoy.
The More:
More tomato & basil means more summer flavors in your bowl. More simple dressing for salads means more motivation to make them. More easy beautiful food, means impressing friends with very little effort. And any incentive to do that is a win 
Simple Tomato Bocconcini & Greens:
- (3-4) cups cherry tomatoes (mixed colors or all the same)
- (1) cup pearl bocconcini cheese (or equal amounts cubed raw tofu marinated in the juice of half a lemon)
- (4-6) cups clean salad greens of your choice, torn
- (2) tbsp good olive oil
- (2) tbsp balsamic vinegar
- (4-8) fresh basil leaves
- sat and pepper to taste
Simply wash your tomatoes and set them in a strainer to drain. Wash and tear the greens (arugula, lettuce, kale, sprouts) and set aside in a bowl.
Slice the basil leaves in thin ribbons. To ‘ribbon’ fresh basil, simply layer the leaves on top of one another and roll them into a roll. Slice the roll horizontally to get long thin uniform strips. These should be used immediately as they will discolor some once cut.
Drain the bocconcini and toss in a medium bowl with the tomatoes. When ready to serve, layer the greens at the bottom of a serving dish. Toss the tomatoes and cheese (or tofu) with the oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Top the greens with the tomato mixture and garnish with fresh basil ribbons. Top with additional fresh pepper if desired.
Of course a salad so simple as this requires the freshest of ingredients.
Buy the freshest, perkiest lettuce you can find. Pick it from your own back yard, or have a good chat with the guy at the farm stand when you buy it. It might make you smile as you eat it. Then again, it might not. It’s all up to you.
To live at all is miracle enough.
~ Mervyn Peake
Serve this at dinner with anything you desire. It’s great with fresh bread, pasta salad, potato salad, or even a few of these high protein Quinoa Bites.
It’s also great just on its own.
Listen to your heart. Because wherever your heart is, that is where you’ll find your treasure.
~ Paulo Coelho
What’s your treasure?
We’re in serious countdown mode here at the IPOM world headquarters (teehee), 5 sleeps to go until we leave for Paris and the packing is almost done! We’re tying up details left right and center here.
I’ve had a good break in the past few weeks from anything too intense and am looking forward to a true holiday (I’ve just been warned about the lack of reliable wi-fi anywhere in France), and I’ll hope to be blogging as I feel inspired to share, so stay tuned for IPOM from France!
I’ll be looking forward to September too, when plans and new initiatives for Not So Fast will get in full swing once again. One thing is for sure, it is never boring
It’s a real journey, and one I’m so happy to share with you readers, as well as the amazing crew that have hopped on the bus to join me. I am amazed at the passion out there and it drives me to keep going everyday. Love & gratitude to you all.
- What’s your favorite version of Tomato Salad?
- Got a cause you’re passionate about sharing with us?
I’d love any links or add-ons to this super classic (and ever my favorite) summer salad, and to hear what really gets your gears going.
I always love to hear from each and every one of you, wishing you all a super swell few days!
Yours in Less,
That salad does look do delicious, I can see it is worth going salad crazy over
So excited for you for Paris!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thanks Uru! I can’t believe it is coming up so quickly! Pinching myself …
Looks delicious. You have my mouth watering for this now.
I know me too – and now I can’t get those orange tomatoes again
Such is life, right?
I make nearly the exact same salad but started using garbanzo beans when I cut out the bocconcini. LOVE IT!
What a fabulous substitution Somer – that is perfect! I admit I adore these little pearls of cheese but don’t do dairy all the time – chickpeas are perfect!
The garbanzos almost even look like those delicious little balls of cheese!
I adored them too…. They just don’t adore me
I hear you!!
And yes, I say garbanzos are certainly perfection in there!
Yum. This is one of the best salads ever for sure. Have a wonderful time in Paris!
Thanks Allison!! Getting too excited for words my friend
Grape tomatoes and bocconcini are definitely one of my favorite combinations! I could eat a salad like this every day of the summer.
Me too Eileen! There is nothing else I need when the food is this good!
Well, if I LIKED salad, I’m sure I’d like yours, but really, I’m not overly fond of gorgeous, colorful, mouth-watering freshness on my fork…but if I were, I’m quite sure I’d like your salad best of all!
xoxo (I cannot wait to hear from Shira in Paris!!! And If I don’t get a chance to wish it again before you leave, bon voyage and love!)
I know Spree – me too, I mean, why we would we ever want to eat all those things?
xxox
Thanks for the good wishes! I’ll have one more post to squeak out before I take off, fingers crossed!
PARIS! Lucky you. I love this salad as well–think of the salad you’ll have in France! Bon voyage.
Thanks Emmy! I know, right? I can’t wait for the food. We are so excited!
It’s that tomato salad time of year! Yours looks so pretty, as always. I’m going to have to try some cheese making soon – hopefully before all of the tomatoes are done, so I can make something similar (small town grocery stores don’t carry much nice fresh cheese like this).
Have an amazing time in France – we do the “how many sleeps until” thing too..
Have fun making the cheese (I’d love to try this too!) – if you do make sure to share with all of us too
I guess it’s really just us parents that do the sleeps thing, hey? Funny too the smiles I’ve been getting when I describe our trip by number of ‘sleeps’ in each place 
hehe…
Your wee tomatoes look so scrummy. I LOVE tomatoes (and will have to send you my favourite tomato salad by e-mail because it requires digging out the recipe).
You must guys must be beside yourselves with only five sleeps to go! I’m already looking forward to your updates…
Oh I can’t WAIT for your recipe! I still have to try the dip, and trust me it’s on the list!! Yes, needless to say, sheer ridiculousness is ensuing with the closeness…plus a lot of work to wind up!!
Fond memories of dad slicing homegrown tomatoes, mozz, adding lots of fresh basil & ground black pepper, garlic, olive oil and vinegar – letting it sit for a few hours to do its thing. Never could get enough of it! With tomatoes just coming on here, I’ll have to try it with your tofu suggestion cuz yes, I’m salad crazy too right now.
Have a wonderful trip to Paris, you lucky girl. Safe travels.
PS I want a Not So Fast t-shirt!
I love when we evoke childhood memories, that’s awesome Anne! The tofu is great and so is Somer’s awesome chickpea suggestion!
I’d love to put you in a Not So Fast shirt! I’ve got one ladies shirt left, was planning maybe a giveaway of some sort in September? Stay tuned, I can totally see you rocking one of these, and I’d be honored!
Huge fan of the caprese salad! This is the perfect bite size salad and beautiful in color!
http://www.glitzgirlzglamourguide.com
Too true!
Thanks!
I make a caprese salad with exactly the same ingredients, although sometimes if I have time I will reduce the balsamic vinegar so it’s a bit sweeter and thicker. I love the combo of red and yellow tomatoes in yours, so fresh and gorgeous! Hope you have a wonderful time in Paris
Thanks!! I’m with you on the reduction too – it is so good!
xox!
Caprese salad was always one of my favorites. The last time I was in Italy during the summer, I lived on it. I haven’t tried it since becoming vegan, but I just might have to give it a whirl! Thanks for the inspiration!
As Somer does, you could try garbanzos, or for white – the tofu cubes! Of course knowing you will ‘cook’ up something brilliant on your own! Love it Kristy!
Aw, shucks!
Beautifully scrumptious as always, Shira! I love this salad, could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner
You and Paris will be the perfect match – Paris is such a fantastic city!! I hope you will have a fabulous time there!
Love the Not So Fast t-shirt!
Thanks Anne! Stay tuned, I might just have the last ladies NSF shirt to do a giveaway with in September! Happy you like it!
Beautiful salad. And bon voyage!
Thanks Michelle!
I’ll tell you the ONLY reason I like this crazy hot weather is because my basil is just eatin’ it up. I’ve been throwing basil on everything- salads, sandwiches, roasted chicken, my cats…they haven’t appreciated it as much as I’d hoped. The tomatoes look fabulous- great color! Did you get them from a farmer’s market or somewhere else?
Grace, you win best comment hands down (this made my night). I am sorry (and disappointed like you) to hear about your cats
Aren’t the tomatoes divine? Funny thing is they came from 2 different stores (both great local markets here in town)..I see beautiful tomatoes in different places and just ‘collect’ them. Weird, I know!
This salad is why I have cherry tomato plants. They are just perfect for bocconcini, aren’t they? It’s summer in a bowl and I love it!
The perfect match John! Made for each other of course!
Beautiful!
Oh. My. Gosh.
It’s like you just combined all my favorite things into one bowl. I MUST MAKE THIS!
I know, right Liz? They are mine too! THE BEST.
The Danish tomatoes are really delicious right now– will have to give this a whirl before the summer is over! Thank you!
I agree – the perfect time of year to enjoy them – thanks Kathryn!
Right now that is what we have been living on at least 5 nights a week- tomatoes, olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh basil; amazing! We of course throw in other veggies and sustance, but the above always makes an appearance with freshly sliced cukes
Love your addition of cukes Heather – so fresh and summery, and I love your taste in summer salad…perfection! xox
This is gorgeous Shira! I remember when I went to France, I lived off of Caprese Salads and tomato, mozzarella and basil paninis (clearly was still eating dairy at that time lol). This brings back lovely memories! What a great idea with the tofu too, I’ll have to try that!
I am a huge fan of cherry tomatoes and tomatoes in general. I used to eat them like candy (still do actually!).
You must be getting so excited! I look forward to hearing about all your adventures and can’t wait to hear about IPOM in September! I’ll connect with you once your back about my delving into it
Gabby xox
You’ve just got me so excited for French food Gabby, I can’t even tell you
Thanks!
I’ll look forward to connecting when I get back too, and getting back to work on NSF (I’ve got an idea or two that might be fun)! Have a great rest of the week! xox
I have heard about subbing tofu for the mozzarella in this type of salad!! With the sauce and other ingredients I hear it blends right in! I must try it! I really love this cause..I want to jump on the bus with you all!
Come on board Britt! The more the merrier! And let us know if you make the vegan version of the salad too!
Oh.. I’ve just found your blog.. and your pretty summer salad! So glad to be following you
Have a wonderful trip!! xx Smidge
Thanks Barbara, we are pretty excited! I’ll head over and check out your blog as well – thanks for the follow!
Gorgeous shots of a beautiful salad. Love its simplicity and pretty presentation. Enjoy the last few days of prep for your trip!
Marina – we are so excited, thank you! Looking forward to updating the blog from across the pond
Hope you are well, xox!
that is one gorgeous salad! all colorful balls of fresh goodness:)
i get stretched thin between all the causes i want to support:) right now, trying to figure out ways to support some animal rescues and sanctuaries in india, because they never get any support from the people around, so are completely dependent on international support..
Richa, I applaud you for your commitment to the animals you help and support! The world needs more folks like you. It is so respectful too to stay true to something, as that is where you can make a measured impact. Thanks for sharing this!
I love all these fresh flavors and like you I can eat salad year round! So excited for your trip and can’t wait for posts from France. Wishing you safe travels and loads of fun!
Thank you Karista! We’ll make sure to have a good time, and I think I might be eating this salad everyday as you say, I could do worse, right?! We are so excited, thanks for the good wishes! xx