Herby Tomato Salad With Tamarind-Maple Dressing

Herby Tomato Salad With Tamarind-Maple Dressing

Collect the juiciest, ripest tomatoes you can find for this salad (the sweeter and fruitier, the better), which is amplified by an herby, piquant dressing. Start with cilantro, scallions, and Thai basil; perilla leaves lend a grassy, aniseed note. You can find them at Asian grocery stores or greenmarkets, but, if they’re unavailable, substitute shiso or mint. Tamarind is very sour, too tart to enjoy on its own, but paired with a sweetener, such as maple syrup, honey or brown sugar, it sings with citrusy, smokey notes. Don’t be afraid to add more maple, chile, salt or vinegar until you strike that harmonious sweet-sour balance. And, two final notes: If you’re looking for a heartier salad, add 2 cups of cooked grains, like farro or quinoa, and feel free to use store-bought crispy fried shallots if tight on time.

Ingredients

  • mixed tomatoes

    such as cherry, heirloom, sungold or beefsteak

    2 lb
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • cilantro

    leaves picked and stalks finely chopped

    ½ bunch
  • packed cup fresh basil leaves

    preferably thai

    1
  • perilla

    shiso or mint leaves, finely chopped

    12
  • scallions

    finely sliced

    2
  • neutral oil

    such as grapeseed or vegetable

    ¾ c
  • shallots

    sliced into 1/16-inch-thick rounds

    4
  • sea salt
  • tamarind concentrate
    4 tbsp
  • maple syrup
    2 tbsp
  • sesame oil
    1 tbsp
  • rice wine vinegar
    1 tbsp
  • piece fresh ginger

    grated

    1
  • garlic clove

    grated

    1
  • red-pepper flakes
    ½ tsp
  • sea salt
    1 tsp

Directions

  1. 1

    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.

  2. 2

    Place a strainer over a heatproof bowl. Line a baking sheet or large plate with paper towels.

  3. 3

    Prepare the fried shallots: Add oil and shallots to a medium saucepan, and place over low heat. Bring oil to a simmer, stirring 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 cooking. (They'll continue to cook after out of the oil.)

  4. 4

    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.

  5. 5

    Prepare the dressing: Whisk together all the ingredients.

  6. 6

    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 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.)

Herby Tomato Salad With Tamarind-Maple Dressing

Herby Tomato Salad With Tamarind-Maple Dressing

289 cal

Similar Recipes

Thai Carrot Salad

Thai Carrot Salad

Thai carrot salad is a easy and filling salad recipe that you can put together as side dish for any Asian meal. Ready in 15 minutes, no cook, vegan salad with amazing flavor and crunch. If you are fan of Asian flavors, you are going to love this easy salad recipe.

15 minutes
Carrot Ginger Dressing

Carrot Ginger Dressing

This salad dressing tastes remarkably fresh, creamy and light. It would pair nicely with other recipes with Asian flavors. Recipe yields about 1 1/3 cups salad dressing.

10 minutes
Peanut Salad Dressing

Peanut Salad Dressing

This easy, delicious Thai Peanut Dressing is made from mostly pantry ingredients and is delicious on salads, grilled chicken, or for dipping your favorite appetizers.

5 minutes8 servings74 kcal
Chopped Thai Crunch Chicken Salad

Chopped Thai Crunch Chicken Salad

A wonderful mix of savory, sweet, and salty. It’s no-cook, easy, bright + colorful, and totally delicious!

25 minutes6 servings542 kcal
Thai Chicken Salad

Thai Chicken Salad

This Thai Chicken Salad is easy to make with homemade peanut dressing, crispy cabbage, shredded chicken, crunchy peanuts, and more! It's a refreshing dinner idea that also makes a great side dish.

25 minutes
Asian Ginger Dressing

Asian Ginger Dressing

This Asian salad dressing uses soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger to make a fast, tangy dressing that adds bold flavor to salads.

10 minutes20 servings86 kcal
Harvest Bowl with Maple Dijon Dressing

Harvest Bowl with Maple Dijon Dressing

This Harvest Bowl with Maple Dijon Dressing is layered with rice, roasted sweet potatoes, crispy brussels sprouts, almond breadcrumbs & a tangy dressing!

40 minutes474 kcal
Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

Thai Pineapple Fried Rice

Thai-style sweet and spicy pineapple fried rice with red bell pepper, cashews and cilantro. This is a healthy and quick, vegetarian weeknight dinner! This dish comes together very quickly, so be sure to have your ingredients (including chilled leftover rice) prepped in advance. Recipe yields 2 large, restaurant-sized portions or 4 more modest portions.

25 minutes349 kcal

Ratings & Reviews

Be the First to Rate

Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!

About this Recipe

Ready to transform your summer bounty of ripe tomatoes into an unforgettable culinary experience? This Herby Tomato Salad with Tamarind-Maple Dressing offers a sophisticated yet simple way to enjoy nature's candy, delivering bright, authentic flavors with every bite.

What truly elevates this salad is the ingenious Tamarind-Maple Dressing, striking a harmonious balance of citrusy, smoky, and sweet notes that perfectly complement the juicy tomatoes. This unique piquant dressing, combined with a vibrant medley of fresh herbs like cilantro, Thai basil, and optional perilla, creates a depth of flavor that's both refreshing and utterly compelling.

Prepare for a symphony of tastes and textures. You'll savor the peak sweetness and succulence of mixed tomatoes, ranging from sweet Sungolds to robust heirlooms, beautifully contrasted by the zesty, complex dressing. The generous addition of fresh, aromatic herbs like cilantro, Thai basil, and perilla provides a grassy, slightly aniseed note, while optional crispy fried shallots deliver a delightful textural crunch. This naturally vegan salad is designed to showcase the freshest produce, making it an ideal choice for a vibrant lunch or a flavorful, light main course, leaving you feeling satisfied and refreshed.

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to your pantry and preferences. While perilla leaves lend a distinct grassy, aniseed note, if you can't find them, shiso or fresh mint make excellent aromatic substitutes. The tamarind dressing's sweetness can also be balanced with honey or brown sugar instead of maple syrup. For a more substantial meal, consider stirring in 2 cups of cooked grains, such as farro or quinoa. And for those busy weeknights, don't hesitate to use store-bought crispy fried shallots to save time without sacrificing flavor or texture.

Perfect for showcasing peak summer produce, this Herby Tomato Salad makes a stunning main course for a light lunch, a satisfying weeknight dinner when bulked up with grains, or a vibrant side dish at any gathering.

Frequently Asked Questions