Recipe Overview
Cherry Tomato & Red Onion Basil Salad is one of those effortless preparations that proves great ingredients do not need complication. Sweet tomatoes, thin shaved onion, fragrant basil, and a clean drizzle of olive oil make a small but expressive salad that works beautifully as a starter, side dish, or accompaniment to grilled fish, meats, and rustic bread.
Why This Salad Works
The sweetness of ripe cherry tomatoes softens the sharpness of red onion, while basil adds freshness and perfume. A brief rest after seasoning allows the vegetables to release just enough juice to create a natural dressing with the olive oil.
Chef Style
Keep the onion shaved very thin and serve the salad slightly chilled. This is not meant to be heavy or overworked — it should taste clean, vivid, and immediate, with each bite feeling fresh and alive.
Ingredients
- 57 g cherry tomatoes
- 75 g red onion
- 13.5 g extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves
Preparation
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and place them in a chilled bowl.
- Shave the red onion very thinly with a mandoline or sharp knife and add it to the tomatoes.
- Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, then let the mixture rest for 3 to 5 minutes so the flavors begin to open.
- Dress with extra-virgin olive oil and finish with torn fresh basil leaves just before serving.
Ready for Menu Builder Integration
This salad page is structured for your Tuscany Cuisine operating system with recipe metadata, inventory mapping, and service-ready ingredient scaling for future station workflow and menu planning.
Chef Notes
Use ripe, fragrant cherry tomatoes and avoid overdressing. The salad should remain bright and clean, not heavy. If the onion is especially pungent, a quick cold-water rinse after slicing can soften it while preserving its crunch.
Service Suggestions
- Serve with grilled fish or roasted poultry.
- Pair with toasted country bread or warm focaccia.
- Finish with flaky sea salt just before serving for extra texture.
- Present as a fresh starter on warm-weather menus.
| Calories | 85 kcal |
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 7 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 1.5 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Sodium | 120 mg |