Tomato salad with croutons
Description
Minimum effort — excellent result. This crisp salad is simple and quick to prepare. To vary it, you can add crumbled feta cheese, chopped olives, and substitute fresh mint leaves for the basil. Can be served immediately.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
1. Prepare the croutons. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees. Finely chop the shallot to yield about 2 tablespoons. Mince or press the garlic. Cut the bread into pieces and place in a food processor. Pulse until the bread turns into large crumbs, or tear the bread into small pieces by hand. Transfer the bread to a baking sheet and mix in the shallot, garlic, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese, tossing until the croutons are evenly coated. Bake until golden brown, about 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
- 2
Step 2
2. Prepare the salad. Cut each tomato in half lengthwise and place cut side up on a plate.
- 3
Step 3
3. Mix vinegar, olive oil, salt, sugar, and black pepper in a small bowl. Pour the mixture over the tomatoes.
- 4
Step 4
4. Sprinkle the tomatoes with crushed breadcrumbs. Garnish with chopped basil and serve immediately.