Description
Pioneer Woman Marinated Tomatoes bring zesty Mediterranean charm to any table. Fresh tomatoes swim in a tangy blend of herbs and olive oil, creating an irresistible side dish that elevates simple ingredients into a flavor-packed sensation you’ll crave at every meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lb (900g) ripe firm tomatoes, cut into quarters if large, halves if small
- 1 whole baguette, sliced for bruschetta
Herbs and Aromatics:
- 18 basil leaves, chiffonade (cut into thin strips)
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup (15g) fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (2 for the marinade, 1 for the bruschetta)
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25g) ground thyme
Dressing and Seasoning:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) olive oil (for a richer flavor, you can use extra virgin)
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) aged balsamic vinegar
- 4 tablespoons (50g) sugar
- 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant marinade in a spacious glass container by whisking together extra virgin olive oil (59 milliliters / 2 fluid ounces), balsamic vinegar, organic sugar, kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, thinly sliced green onions, finely chopped fresh parsley, torn basil leaves, ground thyme, and thoroughly minced garlic cloves until the seasoning crystals completely dissolve.
- Gently fold ripe, quartered tomatoes into the aromatic marinade, ensuring each piece receives an even coating. Allow the tomatoes to luxuriate at ambient temperature for 3 to 6 hours, which permits flavor penetration without compromising their delicate texture.
- When ready to serve, heat a cast-iron grill pan or heavy skillet over medium-high temperature. Delicately brush artisan baguette slices with premium olive oil, then toast until achieving a golden, crispy exterior with beautiful char marks.
- Rub each toasted bread slice with a raw garlic clove, releasing its pungent essence. Artfully arrange the marinated tomato mixture atop the warm, fragrant bread, allowing the rich marinade to seep into the crisp surface.
- Present immediately, garnishing with additional fresh herbs if desired, to capture the peak of flavor and textural contrast between the juicy tomatoes and crunchy bread.
Notes
- Tomato Selection Matters: Ripe yet firm tomatoes create the perfect base, with a mix of red, yellow, and heirloom varieties adding vibrant colors and complex flavors to your dish.
- Herb Freshness is Key: Chop basil and parsley moments before adding to preserve their aromatic essence and bright green color.
- Olive Oil Quality Counts: Splurge on high-quality extra virgin olive oil to elevate the overall taste and create a luxurious mouthfeel.
- Timing is Everything: Limit marinating to 6 hours maximum to prevent tomatoes from becoming mushy and losing their delightful texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Marinating
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 1.1 g
- Sodium: 0.3 g
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg