Italian Garlic Tomato Salad Recipe
Joey Romano’s garlic Italian tomato salad recipe has been a family favorite as far back as I can remember! I have mentioned how he always used to say all the time about salads, “I could make a meal out of this salad” well this was one of them. He would have fresh garden tomatoes and make this salad for lunch with my mom’s homemade bread. Then he would sop up the tomato juice with the bread. Heavenly!!!
Quick & Easy
It is also so quick and easy to make and combines beautifully with many meals including summertime barbeques.
Who would think that a simple salad like this could turn into an easy healthy meal? We all know today the health benefits of tomatoes , but then add garlic (natures wonder antibiotic) and a little extra virgin olive oil (which is a cholesterol buster) this salad packs a heart healthy wallop!
Note: If I am making this salad out of season, I try to choose the highest quality organic tomatoes, and then allow them to ripen if need be in a basket on the counter.
Michele Romano Recipes
Tomato Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4-6 medium sized ripe tomatoes, cut in large bite size pieces
- 2 med size cloves of garlic, chopped in small chunks
Or: (My Auntie Gayle liked it with sweet onion and my Dad liked it with garlic, so I make both!)
- 2 tbsp sweet onion, chopped
Dressing:
- 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (3 for 6 tomatoes)
- 1 heaping tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt (salt brings out the tomato juice)
Preparation:
- Chop tomatoes up in larger bite size pieces, (not tiny cubes, my father had to set me straight on that one! lol)
- Add in chopped garlic or sweet onion.
- Gently stir in olive oil until tomatoes are well coated
- Stir in oregano and salt.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Tomato juice mixed with the olive oil makes the dressing so stir it occasionally.
Serves: 4-6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Live Long & Mangia!
Nutritional Benefits:
Oregano is loaded with health benefits. It is known to be an effective anti-bacterial. It also has potent anti-oxidant activity.
Tomatoes – studies have found that eating tomatoes regularly can cut down the risk of prostrate cancer in men. Tomantoes are packed full of vitamins including A,C, and E. They also contain flavonoids (natural anti-inflammatories), mineral salts and potassium. Much of the attention focused on tomatoes has been due to the antioxidant lycopene, which helps to mop up damaging free radicals in the body that can harm our cells.