Monday, August 31, 2009

Tomato and corn salad with basil

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I had big plans for you guys today, I really did. I was going to tell you about a cake, and also about a book - a book about cakes. And about my dad's birthday, which was where the whole cake idea started. But I got home, and it was [some insane number] of degrees outside and just the thought of talking about cake made me stick my head into a refrigerator for a good, long while.

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So instead, I made you a salad. I know, it's not really a substitute for chocolate and whipped cream, but if there was an equivalent of chocolate and whipped cream in the vegetable world, this would be it. Despite the heat, I can feel summer waning, and this salad is just the right transition to carry us over into the next season. There is so much summer goodness in here - ripe tomatoes, at the peak of their season, sweet corn, cool, smooth avocado, a touch of red onions for the bit of bite and a good sprinkling of basil. And yet, instead of longing for summer to come back, it made me anticipate fall and the goodness that will come with the harvest.

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Tomato and corn salad with basil
(serves 2)
2 large, ripe tomatoes
1 avocado
2 ears of corn, cooked
1/4 red onion (or more, to taste)
a handful of basil
salt
basil & olive oil

Cut the tomatoes into thinnish wedges and arrange on a platter. De-seed the avocado and slice it so that the pieces are not too large, but there's still a bite to it. Cut the kernels off the corn, break them up a little and scatter over the tomatoes and avocado. Slice the red onion thinly and also scatter over the salad. I like to chiffonade my basil, but you can chop it roughly or even leave the leaves whole. Sprinkle salt over the salad and dress with your favorite vinaigrette or a dash of olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar.

15 comments:

veron said...

There's nothing like a delicious salad on a hot day!

Irene said...

Exactly! It just hit the spot so much, like ahhhhhhh... :)

The Food Librarian said...

This looks lovely. I ended up going to Trader Joe's and hanging out next to the mochi ice cream. It has been so hot! This salad looks perfectly refreshing!

Dewi said...

Hmmm, what a delicious salad Erika!

Dewi said...

OMG, I am so terrible, did I call you Erika instead of Irene? please forgive me ....

Mrs. M. said...

That's a great salad that I make pretty often. I also love it with feta (or any kind of tangy cheese).

Irene said...

Yeeeees, feta would have been wonderful! Now, why didn't I think of that? :)

LOL Elra! No worries.

The Caked Crusader said...

What a lovely rustic looking salad - delish!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous salad. Perfect for the hot weather we are having.

Ash said...
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Ash said...

clearly it's tomato time!! Tomatoes are popping up in the blogsphere at the moment. This salad looks truly scrumptious.. so refreshing!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Well,dang! I'm not crazy about chocolate but I was still looking forward to cake.
~ingrid

Irene said...

Don't worry, cake is coming soon!

Eileen @ Passions to Pastry said...

What a beautiful summer salad!

Sue said...

PERFECT timing!!! The tomatoes are ripening so fast in the garden now and the corn is ready to pick...going to make this for Sunday :-) Thanks!
Sue