Can I use regular tomatoes in this recipe?

If you can't find heirloom tomatoes (sob!) my next choice is always cherry tomatoes, which hold their sweet flavor all year long. If you want large tomatoes, look for ones that are ever so slightly soft.

My tomatoes are so juicy! What should I do?

If your delectable tomatoes are a little drippy, lay them on paper towels or a clean dish towel for about 5 minutes, and then you should be good to go.

Can I use a different kind of cheese?

You can! Feta cheese is wonderful for this salad, and so is fresh mozzarella (which will make this into the always wonderful Caprese salad! ). And every now and than I make it with torn Brie cheese. Heaven.

Can this be made ahead of time?

It can be made a few hours ahead of time. Watch out for cheese pilferers though!

Have a question I didn't cover?

Leave your question (or comment or suggestion) in the Comments box below the recipe and I will answer pronto!

Tomato Goat Cheese Salad

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5 from 2 reviews

This simple recipe for a rustic tomato goat cheese salad uses sweet heirloom tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a scattering of fresh basil for the perfect summer side dish.

Author: Kate Morgan Jackson
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No cooking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

4 large tomatoes, ideally heirlooms!
4 ounces goat cheese
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
Fresh ground pepper
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

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Instructions

Cut the stem out of the tomato with a paring knife and slice the tomato into nice big slices. Lay the tomato slices on a platter or on individual plates.
Scatter torn bits of the goat cheese over the tomatoes. Drizzle with a few drops of vinegar (not too much as you don’t want to overwhelm the magical tomato taste) and a little olive oil.
Grind some fresh pepper on top, sprinkle on some little basil leaves and serve!

Notes

- Tomatoes: Try for heirloom tomatoes! Any color, size or shape will work. My second choice is always cherry tomatoes, which hold their sweet flavor all year long – cut them in halves for easier eating.

- Goat Cheese: Look for this creamy, tangy cheese in the specialty cheese section of your supermarket – it comes in all different varieties from plain to herbed…even to honey. You can also use feta cheese, or go Caprese-style with some cubed fresh mozzarella.

- Basil: Look for basil in the produce section of your supermarket – if you can find it with the roots still attached that is best. Basil is best used on the same day you buy (or pick) it. You can also use fresh oregano, thyme or even mint.

- Balsamic Vinegar: Balsamic vinegar is a dark, super concentrated, almost syrupy sweet Italian vinegar. It’s best in small amounts because the flavor is so wonderfully intense. Look for it next to all the other vinegars in your supermarket.

Find it online: https://www.framedcooks.com/rustic-tomato-goat-cheese-salad/