Fresh Sliced Tomatoes with Perfect Salt
A simple and quick summer side dish featuring ripe tomatoes seasoned with coarse sea salt, black pepper, olive oil, and fresh basil for a refreshing and flavorful bite.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 large heirloom or vine-ripened tomatoes, sliced about 1/4 inch thick
- 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or flaky salt (such as Maldon sea salt)
- Freshly ground black pepper, a light sprinkle (optional)
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (optional)
- A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn or chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and dry the tomatoes thoroughly to prevent excess moisture.
- Slice the tomatoes evenly about 1/4 inch thick using a sharp knife.
- Arrange the tomato slices on a serving plate in a single layer, slightly overlapping.
- Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon of coarse sea salt evenly over the tomatoes.
- Add a light grind of freshly ground black pepper, about 5-6 twists of the mill (optional).
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over the top (optional).
- Scatter torn or chopped fresh basil leaves over the tomatoes (optional).
- Let the tomatoes rest for 5-10 minutes at room temperature to allow the salt to draw out the juices and concentrate the flavors.
Notes
Use ripe, firm tomatoes for best flavor. Use flaky or coarse sea salt like Maldon for texture and balanced seasoning. Do not over-salt. Let tomatoes rest briefly to soften and concentrate flavors but avoid sitting too long to prevent sogginess. Sharp knife recommended to avoid crushing tomatoes. For prep ahead, keep salt and olive oil separate until serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/2 cu
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 0.7
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: fresh tomatoes, summer side dish, perfect salt, heirloom tomatoes, easy tomato recipe, quick side dish, tomato salad