Tomatillo Side Salad with Grape Tomatoes
It was a beautiful Saturday morning, and it started in a way I most enjoy, with a walk to the market. Okay, so our ‘market’ is just the local Fred Meyer, but it’s very close and there is a wonderful block of wild woods along the way. This particular Saturday I was blessed with the song of the first Townsend’s Solitiare of the season ringing our loud and clear!
These beautiful multi colored tomatoes were on discount. The beginning inspiration for this dish.
I’ve discovered that at around 8 or 9 every morning the aging produce from the day before is hand bagged and marked for discount at our store. On the weekends in particular I love to discover new what new ingredients I can find as inspiration for a new dish. This day I was pleased to discover grape tomatoes! Bags, and bags, and bags! I added tomatillos, chilies, and cilantro to my basket with plans for a fresh salsa salad of some sort, and made my way back home. Fantastic way to start the day!
I have to admit that had never actually had tomatillos until this day, so I sliced a little piece off and gave it a try. MAN! I have been missing out! I love the extra depth these fresh green fruits have! I will definitely be using them in my kitchen more!
Beautiful Salad. Beautiful Boy. (Albeit, quite dirty from playing outside. He likes to stop in and participate with my cooking.)
As far as dressing, I really didn’t want to be totally cliche in using the typical cilantro and lime combination for my salad, but there is a reason it has become so popular; it’s just so stinking good! Wanting to create something a little bit more balanced I sniffed around my cooking wines, vinegars, and sauces in the cupboard. (Literally, I opened each one and sniffed it along-side a fresh slice of tomatillo. I do this pretty regularly when trying to come up with a good pairing.) “Ah, white cooking wine!” Not too much zing like a vinegar would bring, and less sweetness and intensity than Marsala. Add the classic lime juice, a little salt and sugar, simmer momentarily, and we were on our way!
As far as the decision to try two serving styles? Well, that was inspired by the grape tomatoes. They plate so nicely halved and are so tasty! It seemed such a waste to hack away at them. Obviously salsa fresca/pico de gallo plays a very useful roll in the kitchen as a topping, condiment, and accoutrement, but what if I just want delicious fresh side dish? By chopping the tomatoes, tomatillos, and onions larger, and limiting the amount of heat you get a fantastic and super healthy serving of fresh fruits and vegetables to go with your meal.
Tomatillo Side Salad
By:semiserious chefs
Serves:4-6
Ingredients:
- 4-5 large tomatillos
- 1 pint grape or cherub tomatoes
- 1/2 of a large white onion
- 1/2 cup white cooking wine
- 2-3 T chopped cilantro
- 2 key limes – zested and juiced (about 2 T)
- 1/4 t salt
- 1/4 t sugar
- 1 Serrano chili – fine diced for garnish as desired
Directions:
- Zest the key limes and set aside for garnish. Add the white wine, lime juice, salt, and sugar to a small sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium heat letting simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Halve the grape tomatoes and chop the onions and tomatillos into pieces roughly the same size as, or slightly smaller than, the tomato halves.
- Toss the salad with the dressing and cilantro, and serve with a slotted spoon.
- Garnish with lime zest and Serrano chilies as desired.
Note: Chopped avocado is also a great addition to this salad.
Tomatillo Salsa Fresca
Tomatillo Salsa Fresca/Pico De Gallo
By:semiserious chefs
Servings: Very
Ingredients:
- 3 large tomatillos – diced
- 3/4 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1 generous T chopped cilantro
- 1/2 of one Serrano chili fine diced – more or less to taste
- 1/4 cup white cooking wine
- 1 T lime juice
- 1/8 t salt
- 1/8 t sugar
Directions:
- In a small sauce pan add the white wine, lime juice, salt, and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat and let simmer for 3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Toss the diced tomatoes, tomatillos, onions, cilantro, and chilies with the dressing.
- Serve with chips, on tacos, or use in another favorite dish as desired.
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