Tomato and Feta Stacks with Basil
Saturday July 28, 2012
This is not a revolutionary recipe. Sometimes you just need to make something super simple, call it a recipe and be done with it. Sometimes the tried and true ones are the best types of recipes. They leave plenty of time for lounging and doing nothing. Ideal.
Take bocconcini salad. It just keeps the good stuff. Lovely soft cheese, delicious ripe tomatoes. And basil. Basil makes EVERYTHING more delicious.
Wait... bocconcini cheese is kinda bland- let's use feta instead. It is the right choice. And since this time of year means that everyone is up to their ears in zucchini, it's probably a good idea to use some of that in there to use it up. One can only make so many zucchini pancakes, zucchini bread and stuffed zucchini before you need more ideas!
I totally saw these colourful tomatoes in the grocery store and had to buy them. I like pretty foods. They make me smile. AND since making these stacks takes no time at all you can do other things! Like clean the kitchen... take out the trash... catch up on some essay writing... or use your fluffy orange kitty as a pillow and have a nap. Real life.
Recipe: Tomato and Feta Stacks with Basil
Makes 16 stacks
Ingredients:
~4 oz feta cheese
4 medium tomatoes (use different colours for variety)
16 small basil leaves
1/2 a fresh zuchinni (or cucumber)
pepper (to taste)
Dressing:
1 tbsp white baslsamic vinegar (if you prefer regular balsamic feel free to substitute)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1 small clove garlic minced (optional)
Garnish:
Chives (chopped fine)
Method:
Slice the ingredients: Slice the feta ~1/4 inch thick and in ~1.5x1.5 inch squares. Slice the tomatoes into 1/4 inch circles (you should get ~4 slices per tomato- discard the end piece with the stem). To prepare the zucchini, as thinly as possible (~1/16th inch thick). Sprinkle lightly with fresh pepper.
Assembly: Lay the tomaoes on a platter, top each tomato with 1 slice of zucchini, 1 basil leaf and 1 slice of feta cheese.
Dressing: To prepare the dressing, mince/crush the garlic and mix in the balsamic, lemon juice and olive oil.
Sprinkle the dressing overtop of the prepared stacks and garnish with fresh chives.
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4 medium tomatoes (use different colours for variety)
16 small basil leaves
1/2 a fresh zuchinni (or cucumber)
pepper (to taste)
Dressing:
1 tbsp white baslsamic vinegar (if you prefer regular balsamic feel free to substitute)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1 small clove garlic minced (optional)
Garnish:
Chives (chopped fine)
Assembly: Lay the tomaoes on a platter, top each tomato with 1 slice of zucchini, 1 basil leaf and 1 slice of feta cheese.
Dressing: To prepare the dressing, mince/crush the garlic and mix in the balsamic, lemon juice and olive oil.
Sprinkle the dressing overtop of the prepared stacks and garnish with fresh chives.
