Tomatoes With Basil and Anchovies
A great tomato salad starts with great tomatoes. Buy ripe tomatoes in season from the market or farm stand, or, even better, pick them straight from the garden. The anchovies (they are rinsed briefly to tame them) are an important feature, the perfect counterpoint to the tomatoes’ sweetness. Add a large handful of aromatic basil leaves just before serving.
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- 2small garlic cloves, minced
- 1small shallot, diced
- 2tablespoons red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
- 4tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- 12anchovy fillets
- ½cup milk (optional)
- 3pounds ripe tomatoes, any size, cut in wedges, slices or halves
- 1 ½cups basil leaves, not too big, washed and dried
- Pinch of crushed red pepper (optional)
Instructions
Step 1
Make the vinaigrette: Put garlic, shallot and vinegar in a small bowl. Whisk in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.Step 2
Put anchovies in a small bowl and cover with milk. Leave for 5 minutes, then carefully rinse with water and blot with paper towels. (Alternatively, skip the milk and simply rinse anchovies with water and blot.) Transfer to a small plate and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil.Step 3
About 5 or 10 minutes before serving, place tomatoes in a large, deep platter or low-sided serving bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper, then add vinaigrette and toss gently to coat.Step 4
Just before serving, add the basil leaves and toss gently. Garnish with anchovy fillets and a sprinkling of crushed red pepper, if desired.