Tomato appetizer platter

 

Yes, summer is officially over, but here in the Pacific Northwest we are getting a final taste of summer with a sunny week -we deserve it- and plenty of summer produce items available at the local farmers market, including mouth-watering heirloom tomatoes, I can’t get enough of them; they are one of the vegetables –ok, technically a fruit – that I miss the most during the winter.This tomato appetizer platter is a mix and match spin on the well-known caprese salad, it has the same ingredients plus a little bit more, we all know that tomato, mozzarella and basil are perfect together, but that slice of tomato also tastes great with some goat cheese or maybe with a slice of aged cheddar, add a little bit of garlic balsamic vinegar, some olive oil and a basil leaf or maybe a sprig of oregano or thyme, with or without bread, you choose, try as many combinations as you like.A mix & match tomato platter is also a great way to try different types of cheese, olive oils from different parts of the world – compare an olive oil from Chile or Lebanon to one from Italy -, different types of vinegar – a nice aged balsamic, a fig balsamic vinegar, or just mix some crushed garlic with some balsamic or red wine vinegar to add some spiciness. I also like to add a bowl of cherry tomatoes for the kids – ok, also for the adults – and of course if you’re a wine lover this appetizer just begs for a nice glass of red wine to toast to the last flavors of the summer.

Ingredients:

Ripe heirloom tomatoes

Cheese assortment

Balsamic vinegar assortment

Olive oil assortment

Fresh herbs: basil, oregano, thyme, etc

A loaf of bread or a rustic baguette

Salt and pepper

Preparation:

Slice the tomatoes and arrange them on a platter with the cheese and herbs.

Serve with the olive oil, vinegar, and bread on the side.

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