Vicia's Tomato Salad


Vicia's Tomato Salad
tomato salad from vicia's michael gallina photo by carmen troesser

Ingredients

3 to 4 large heirloom tomatoes, cut into wedges
Sea salt, to taste
3 Tbsp. olive oil
3 Tbsp. orange juice
3 Tbsp. raspberry vinegar
3 peaches, cut into wedges
1 small cantaloupe, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 lb. cherry tomatoes, halved
½ lb. cherries, halved
1 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
1 bunch thyme
1 stalk lemongrass, sliced
1 bunch basil, torn
½ cup crumbled feta



Preparation

• In a large serving bowl, add the heirloom tomatoes and lightly season with the salt. Set aside to allow the salt to draw out some juice. 

• In a small bowl, make a vinaigrette by whisking the olive oil, orange juice and vinegar. Season to taste and set aside.

• Scatter the peaches and cantaloupe atop the salted tomatoes.

• In another bowl, add the cherry tomatoes, cherries and ginger and toss with the vinaigrette. Wrap the thyme and lemongrass in cheesecloth and tie with a string. Submerge the cheesecloth in the bowl of fruit with vinaigrette and marinate 30 minutes. Discard the cheesecloth pouch. 

• To serve, add the marinated cherry tomatoes and cherries atop the heirloom tomatoes. Spoon some of the vinaigrette on top. Sprinkle with the basil and feta.