The tomato salad with light basil pesto is an easy and tasty summer side dish.
I don’t always have fresh basil on hand – absent green thumb – so pesto becomes the ideal solution.
I use my light basil pesto without garlic and cheese which I always keep ready in the freezer, portioned into cubes.
A delicious tomato salad perfect not only as a side dish but also as a dressing for a cold first course: try it with whole wheat pasta or brown rice for a fresh and quick idea.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2People
- Cooking methods: No cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 cube pesto (light basil)
- to taste tomatoes (for salad)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil (raw)
Suggested Tools
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Salad Bowl with lid
Preparation
I chose mini San Marzano tomatoes perfect for a fresh and delicious salad.
In a large bowl where you will dress the tomato salad, pour the basil pesto.
Wash the cherry tomatoes, cut and remove the stem part if necessary, and cut them in half.
Pour the tomatoes into the bowl with the basil pesto.
Season with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of oil – considering what is already in the basil pesto – and gently mix to combine all the flavors well.
Plate up.
Your tomato salad with light basil pesto is ready.
Enjoy your meal!
Storage, Tips, and Variations
Prepare it just before serving to enjoy its freshness.
Experiment with other types of pesto, such as parsley or arugula or sage.
If you want a more substantial salad, you can add cucumbers and/or onions.
For an extra touch, add a handful of almonds or pine nuts.
FAQ
What tomatoes should I choose for the salad?
You can use various types, depending on what you find or prefer:
– classic ribbed salad tomatoes;
– oval tomatoes;
– San Marzano tomatoes;
– cherry tomatoes [cherry, date, pear, mini San Marzano].Differences between cherry tomatoes and Brix degrees
The various types of cherry tomatoes differ in a different sugar/acid ratio – Brix degrees – determining their sweetness:
– cherry tomatoes: 6-8 degrees Brix;
– date cherry tomatoes: 8-10 or more degrees Brix.What are Brix degrees
Brix degrees measure the natural sugar content in tomatoes: in case of hyperglycemia, it is preferable to choose tomatoes with a lower Brix degree.
If you love sweet cherry tomatoes, add fiber and good fats like extra virgin olive oil or a handful of nuts.Can I use store-bought pesto?
Exceptionally, you can use store-bought pesto.
Keep in mind that packaged pesto is more caloric and rich in fats compared to homemade.
Read the label carefully and choose a version with extra virgin olive oil.The pesto contains oil: should I add more?
If the pesto is already oily enough, you can avoid adding extra oil or just add a drizzle for flavor.
