pat's Recipe

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Category: SALADS

1 3/4 lbs assorted heirloom tomatoes, (may
use red and yellow tomatoes and cherry)
sliced or cut into thin wedges and the
cherry tomatoes halved
sea salt or coarse salt and freshly ground
black pepper
1 medium cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded
and coarsely chopped
1/2 of a small red onion, thinly sliced
and separated into rings
1/4 cup small basil leaves or shredded basil
leaves
fresh chives
creamy blue cheese dressing (recipe follows)

CREAMY BLUE CHEESE DRESSING

in a blender or food processor, combine 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1/3 cup plain yogurt or sour cream, 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, goat cheese or feta cheese (1 ounce); 2 to 3 Tbsp buttermilk or milk; 1 tsp lemon juice; and 1/2 tsp minced garlic. Cover; blend or process until smooth. Transfer mixture to a small bowl; stir in another 1/4 cup crumbled cheese, goat cheese or feta cheese (1 ounce) and 1 Tbsp snipped fresh chives. Serve immediately or cover and store in refrigerator up to 1 week. If necessary, stir in additional buttermilk or milk to make dressing desired consistency.
Makes about 1 cup.

for salad:
Prepare the blue cheese dressing. Cover and store while preparing salad.
Arrange tomatoes on six individual salad plates. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Top with cucumber and onion. Drizzle with dressing. Top with basil leaves. Garnish with chives, if desired. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 side-dish salads.