Mouthwatering Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad Recipe
As a chef, I am always looking for new and exciting recipes to share with food lovers. Today, I am delighted to present my Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad Recipe – a delicious and refreshing dish that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.
This salad is a staple in Armenian cuisine, featuring fresh and flavorful ingredients that are easily accessible at any local farmers market or grocery store. It is the perfect combination of ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, aromatic herbs, and tangy lemon juice. And the best part? You won’t be slaving away in the kitchen for hours to make it!
Whether you are looking for a simple yet satisfying side dish or a light and healthy lunch option, this recipe has got you covered. Each ingredient in this salad is carefully chosen to provide both flavor and nutrition, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious eaters.
So gather your ingredients and let’s get started on this vibrant and fresh tomato herb salad!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Picture yourself walking through the local farmer’s market, savoring the aroma of fresh herbs and vine-ripened tomatoes mixed with a hint of tangy red wine vinegar. This is the very essence of this Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad Recipe.
This salad recipe is an explosion of flavor, combining juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and pungent red onion with a tantalizing mix of fresh herbs like mint and parsley, all tied together with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt.
Not only is this salad a delight for your taste buds but it’s also packed with nutrients from the fresh vegetables and herbs. The tomatoes provide vitamin C, while the cucumbers offer hydration thanks to their high water content. The mint and parsley add antioxidants that help reduce inflammation in the body.
This dish can be served as a refreshing side salad or even as a light meal when paired with protein like grilled chicken or falafel. And because it’s so quick and easy to prepare, you can whip it up in no time for dinner or to bring to a potluck.
So why will you love this recipe? Because it’s healthy yet delicious, easy yet impressive, and bursting with fresh flavors that will transport you right into the heart of Armenian cuisine.
Ingredient List
Salad Ingredients:
– 3 medium-sized ripe tomatoes, chopped
– 2 Armenian cucumbers, chopped
– 1/4 of a red onion, finely chopped
– 1/2 cup of finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
– 1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh mint
– Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for taste
– Optional: 1 red pepper, seeded and diced
– Optional: 1/2 cup of cooked bulgur or quinoa
Dressing Ingredients:
– 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
– Juice of half a lemon
– 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
– 2 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 tablespoon of tomato paste
– 1 teaspoon of pomegranate molasses (or a pinch of brown sugar)
– 1 teaspoon of Aleppo pepper (or red pepper flakes)
Note: You can find most of these ingredients at your local farmer’s market. The use of fresh herbs is preferable since it gives the salad a delightful aroma and flavor. When selecting tomatoes, look for juicy and fragrant ones to make the dish even more tantalizing.
The Recipe How-To
After gathering all the ingredients, it’s time to start making the Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad. First, I wash and dry 2 Armenian cucumbers, chop them into bite-sized pieces, and put them in a large salad bowl. Then, I add 4 medium tomatoes, chopped into small pieces.
Next, I finely chop 1 medium onion, dice 1 red pepper, and sprinkle them over the cucumbers and tomatoes. To add some unique flavor, I use 2 tablespoons of tomato paste mixed with 2 tablespoons of olive oil to make a dressing.
For extra freshness, I finely chop 1 bunch of fresh mint and 1 bunch of flat-leaf parsley, then add them to the salad bowl. It’s best to use fresh herbs for this recipe as they give it an extra kick of flavor.
To give it some heat, I add 2 teaspoons of Aleppo pepper and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Finally, I mix everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are well-coated with the dressing. The salad is now ready to be enjoyed!
If you prefer a heartier version of this dish, you can also add some cooked bulgur or quinoa to make it a grain-based salad. Another way to spice things up is to drizzle some pomegranate molasses over the top.
This Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad is simple yet delicious and it’s perfect for a healthy vegetarian meal or as a side dish for any occasion!
Substitutions and Variations
When it comes to this Armenian tomato and herb salad recipe, there are plenty of ways to switch things up and make it your own. Here are a few substitution and variation ideas to consider:
– Bulgur: If you’re not a fan of bulgur, you can swap it out for another grain like quinoa or couscous. Keep in mind that the cooking times may differ depending on what you choose.
– Herbs: While this recipe calls for parsley and mint, feel free to experiment with other fresh herbs as well. Basil, cilantro, dill, or even tarragon could all be interesting choices.
– Tomatoes: Depending on the season or what’s available at your farmers market, you can change up the type of tomatoes you use. Heirloom varieties would be especially delicious in this dish.
– Dressing: Want to give your salad a little more zing? Try swapping out the lemon juice for red wine vinegar, or adding a drizzle of pomegranate molasses.
– Cucumber: While Armenian cucumbers are the traditional choice for this recipe, you could certainly use regular cucumbers instead. You can also add more cucumbers to make it a cucumber-tomato salad.
With these simple substitutions and variations, you can make this classic Armenian dish into something entirely new and exciting. So go ahead and get creative – the possibilities are endless!
Serving and Pairing
This Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad recipe is a dish that can stand on its own, but it also pairs well as a side dish. It’s fresh, light, and absolutely perfect for hot summer days.
To serve this salad, you can either layer the ingredients to create a beautiful presentation or mix everything together for an even burst of flavors. You can drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the top of the salad along with a sprinkle of sea salt and lemon juice before serving to add an extra hint of freshness.
This salad also pairs well with other Middle Eastern dishes such as kebabs or falafel wraps. It’s even delicious as a topping for grilled meats like chicken or lamb. Pairing it with bread like sourdough or naan bread is another great option. The combination is mouthwatering!
If you’re looking for a refreshing salad to bring to your next potluck or dinner party, look no further than this Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad. Visitors always love the mix of colorful tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions and fresh herbs like mint and parsley. It’s incredibly easy to prepare in advance, travels well and keeps fresh even after the journey.
Trust me when I say this – once you try this recipe, you will crave it during every summertime meal!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
My Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad Recipe is the perfect make-ahead dish for your next gathering. You can prepare it a few hours before your guests arrive and just store it in the refrigerator. The flavors meld together perfectly over time, making this dish even more delicious after a few hours of chilling.
Storing this dish is easy. If you have any leftovers, it can stay in the fridge for up to 3 days, but let’s be honest; there probably won’t be any leftovers once your guests have tasted this recipe.
If you’re looking to reheat this dish, I’d recommend leaving it at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. This allows the tomatoes and cucumbers to come back to their full flavor profile after being chilled.
This dish doesn’t reheat well and is best served cold, so make sure to store it in the fridge if you plan on enjoying it later.
As a chef, I always encourage my guests to enjoy food at its freshest form. However, if there are any leftovers that need reheating, ensure they are heated through to avoid having that weird taste in your mouth from when food is partially reheated.
Remember that fresh herbs like mint and parsley are best used raw for maximum texture and taste in your tomato herb salad recipe. You won’t be able to store properly fresh ingredients without compromising their natural flavors and texture quality.
Overall, this recipe is fantastic and easily adaptable to different proportions of ingredients depending on the servings required. Enjoy!
Tips for Perfect Results
As an Armenian chef, I am excited to share with you some useful tips and tricks for making the best Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad. Here are some tips that will guarantee perfect results every time you make this tasty dish.
Firstly, use ripe and juicy tomatoes for this recipe. Whether you buy them from the farmers market or grocery store, make sure to choose the freshest and ripest tomatoes you can find. The sweetness and acidity of ripe tomatoes are essential for making a delicious Armenian tomato salad.
Secondly, don’t overmix your dressing. The dressing for this dish is simple yet very flavorful, consisting of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, and fresh herbs. Mix the ingredients gently without overdoing it. Over-mixing can cause the dressing to become bitter as it emulsifies.
Thirdly, allow enough time for marinating the vegetables with the dressing before serving. This will give the flavors enough time to meld together for more deliciousness.
Fourthly, use fresh herbs instead of dry ones if you can get them. Fresh mint is especially important because it adds a unique flavor that elevates the salad to a new level with its aromatics.
Lastly, feel free to customize your salad by adding other vegetables or ingredients that you enjoy eating. For instance, you could add capers or crumbled feta cheese for an extra zing of flavor.
By following these simple yet effective tips, you’ll be sure to get perfect results every time you make this authentic Armenian tomato herb salad recipe.
FAQ
Before we wrap up the recipe article, I want to address some of the common questions that might spring to mind as you prepare this delightful dish. I understand that making something new can lead to a sea of uncertainties, but don’t worry! I have got your back. Let’s bust those doubts one by one, so that you can whip up the perfect Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad recipe without a hitch.
What can you use Armenian cucumbers for?
The Armenian cucumber is a versatile vegetable frequently used in salads, sandwiches, and sushi due to its mild taste. Its flexibility in preparation allows it to be cut in various ways, such as lengthwise or diced, and can even be grilled, pureed, or pickled.
What is the name of a salad that uses the following herb as an ingredient basil?
One of my all-time favorite salads is the Caprese Salad. This classic dish is made with sliced, ripe tomatoes, and soft, creamy mozzarella cheese. A handful of fresh basil leaves, a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper complete this deliciously simple and elegant salad.
Can Armenian cucumbers be cooked?
Both raw and cooked recipes can feature Armenian cucumbers.
How to make salad tomato?
To begin, gather your tomatoes, red onion, and bocconcini (if you prefer). Arrange them in a shallow bowl and give them a good drizzle of olive oil and red wine vinegar. Mix everything together to combine all the flavors. As a final touch, season with a dash of salt, pepper, and whatever fresh herbs you choose. This will give a delightful burst of flavor to the salad.
Bottom Line
:
In my opinion, this Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad is one of the most refreshing and flavorful dishes that you’ll ever have. With all the fresh herbs, juicy cucumbers, and sweet tomatoes tossed in olive oil and lemon juice, your taste buds will dance with delight.
What I love about this salad is its versatility. You can pair it up with almost anything – grilled chicken, lamb chops, or even enjoy it by itself. Plus, you can make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge for days without losing any of its charm.
So next time you hit the farmers market or when you’re craving something fresh, be sure to give this Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad a try. I guarantee you won’t regret it!
Armenian Tomato and Herb Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 80 g flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped (1/8 cup or about 3 ounces)
- 15 g of fresh mint, finely chopped (1/2 ounce-I use a handful)
- 400 g ripe tomatoes, cubed (1 pound-deseed if very juicy)
- 1 small-medium cucumber, deseeded and cubed
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon sumac
- 1/2 lemon, juice of (large and juicy!)
- sea salt, to taste
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Chop the fresh ingredients as stated above.
- Combine in a large bowl.
- Just before serving, sprinkle over sumac and salt then dress with lemon juice and olive oil.