Tomato Salad With Chile Yogurt Recipes

TOMATO SALAD ON CUMIN-SPICED YOGURT

Steps:

• In a small, dry saucepan over medium heat, toast the cumin seeds until they are toasted and aromatic (do not let them burn!), about 2 minutes. Use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to grind into a powder. In a small bowl, mix toasted cumin with 2 tablespoons yogurt, turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon salt, until no streaks remain. Set aside.
• To make the dressing, put the garlic, herbs, yogurt, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper in a food processor, and purée until smooth. With the machine running, pour the oil into the bowl in a slow steady stream. The dressing will become a thin, light green vinaigrette.
• To assemble the salad, spread the remaining 1 cup yogurt on the bottom of a large serving dish. Toss the cut tomatoes with the vinaigrette, and pile them on top of the yogurt. Pour any remaining dressing all over the tomatoes and yogurt. Finish with a sprinkle of Maldon or other crunchy salt, and serve, spooning up the yogurt, tomatoes and dressing all together.

HERBY TOMATO SALAD WITH TAMARIND-MAPLE DRESSING

Steps:

• Start the salad: Cut the tomatoes into different shapes - this creates different textures and visual interest - and place them in a colander. Sprinkle with a big pinch of salt, and set in the sink to drain as you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
• Place a strainer over a heatproof bowl. Line a baking sheet or large plate with paper towels.
• Prepare the fried shallots: Add the oil and shallots to a medium saucepan, and place over low heat. Bring the oil to a simmer, stirring the shallots with a fork to separate the rings. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the shallots are light golden brown, watching them closely, as they will brown quickly toward the end of their cooking. (Don't let the shallots brown too much, as they will continue to cook after you take them out of the oil.)
• Remove the shallots to the strainer to drain, then transfer them to the paper towels. Season with salt and allow to cool. Reserve the oil. Shallots can be fried 5 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Prepare the dressing: Whisk together all the ingredients.
• Assemble the salad: Combine the tomatoes, two-thirds of the herbs and scallions, and half the dressing. Season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine. To finish, top with the remaining dressing, a drizzle of the shallot cooking oil and the rest of the herbs and scallions, then finally with the fried shallots. (Reserve remaining shallot oil for other uses, like vinaigrettes, stir-fries and soups.)

TOMATO SALAD WITH CHILE YOGURT

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, ginger, chile, and oil; season with salt and pepper. Using a Microplane, finely grate garlic into a small bowl; measure 1/4 teaspoon and stir into yogurt mixture. Spread yogurt mixture on a platter; top with tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle generously with oil, and sprinkle with herbs; serve.