This tomato salad recipe is too simple to be called a recipe, yet since I serve it often, I’ll share. It’s best to use the freshest tomatoes from the garden or market; fragrant to smell and mouthwatering in a flavour that is only to be found in home grown tomatoes.

Health benefits:

·       Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

COLOURFUL TOMATO & PICKLED RED ONION SALAD

1 red onion, finely sliced

¼ cup (60 ml.) apple cider vinegar

¼ cup (60 ml.) cold water

4-5 various colour heirloom tomatoes and 1 cup (150 g) cherry tomatoes

flaky salt, optional if tomatoes aren’t homegrown

extra virgin olive oil

fresh basil leaves

Pull apart the red onion rings and place on the platter. Pour the cold water over the onions to lessen the “bite” and soften their flavour, set aside for 10-20 minutes while you prepare the tomatoes. Leave some cherry tomatoes whole and cut others lengthways, slice the coloured tomatoes in quarters and and chunks. Drain the water off the onions, add the tomatoes to the platter and season with flaky salt, drizzles of extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil leaves.