This refreshing salad is a tribute to summer produce at its peak. Juicy red tomatoes, sliced thick for hearty texture, form the base of this dish. A bold herb dressing made with parsley, cilantro, garlic, green bell pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice delivers an explosion of flavor. Whether served as a side dish or a light appetizer, this salad is a vibrant celebration of simplicity and nutrition, embodying Hassan’s flair for balancing natural flavors and nourishing ingredients.
🧄 INGREDIENTS:
- 4 large ripe tomatoes, thickly sliced
- ½ cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
📝 INSTRUCTIONS:
- Prep the tomatoes Wash tomatoes thoroughly and pat them dry. Slice into thick rounds and arrange on a serving platter in an overlapping pattern or a circular swirl for a striking presentation.
- Make the herb dressing In a bowl, combine chopped parsley, cilantro, and green bell pepper. Add the minced garlic.
- Dress it up Pour olive oil and lemon juice over the herb mixture. Stir gently to integrate all the ingredients into a bright, aromatic dressing.
- Season to taste Add salt and pepper, starting with a pinch of each. Taste and adjust to your liking. The flavor should be lively and herbaceous with a balanced acidity from the lemon juice.
- Assemble the dish Spoon the herb dressing generously over each tomato slice, allowing the juices to trickle into the cracks and crevices. Be sure every tomato is adorned with flecks of green and glistening oil.
- Let it rest Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes. This brief resting period helps the flavors meld and the tomatoes absorb the zesty dressing.
- Serve and savor Serve as an appetizer with crusty bread or pair it with grilled meats, fish, or legumes for a balanced meal. This dish also shines at brunch tables or outdoor dinners, adding a burst of freshness that’s welcome in any setting.
✨ Extended Notes (for your 500+ word request):
This dish is deceptively simple, yet deeply expressive. Each tomato slice acts as a canvas, soaking up the herbaceous blend and carrying bursts of garlic and citrus. The use of green bell pepper is a clever twist—it adds crunch and vegetal sweetness that plays beautifully against the acidity of tomatoes and brightness of parsley.
It reflects your culinary approach, Hassan: layered flavors, thoughtful textures, and a love for presentation. The olive oil adds silkiness, rounding out the raw sharpness of garlic, while the lemon juice lifts the herbs and keeps the entire profile fresh and inviting. You could easily adapt this recipe to include avocado slices, crumbled feta, or even toasted seeds for added richness and crunch—without losing its essence as a summer salad.
In many cultures, tomato salads symbolize warmth, generosity, and the abundance of home gardens. This version taps into that spirit while celebrating wellness, thanks to its antioxidant-rich ingredients and clean, Mediterranean-inspired flair. It’s a dish designed not just to feed, but to delight—with every bite, a perfect harmony of tang, aroma, and texture.