| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 168 | 7.2g | 1g | 25.8g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 15.4g | 4.1g | 3.5g | 0.5g |
Nothing screams Pacific Northwest summertime to me quite like our crisp, juicy Walla Walla Sweet onions. And it’s no secret that my dual Japanese heritage carves me a soft corner for fresh, simple flavors. This is why the Walla Walla Sweet Onion and Tomato Salad is not only one of my favorite recipes, but it’s also a loyalty to my roots.
A Symphony of Flavors
The Walla Walla Sweet Onion and Tomato Salad recipe bridges the robust tomatoes and the subtly sweet, Walla Walla onions with a tangy vinaigrette, suffused with honey and Dijon mustard. Tossed together, these simple ingredients create a harmonious union, a balance of sweetness and acidity that is absolutely addictive.
The key and my secret tip here, is in choosing the ripest tomatoes and the crispest onions you can find. The fresher your produce, the richer the flavors are going to be. This salad is somewhat similar to the classic Southern Tomato Salad but it’s the Walla Walla onions that take this dish to a whole new plane of delicious.
A Dish of Healthful Delights
What I love about this recipe is not only its rich and varied flavors, but also the abundance of health benefits that it brings to the table. The robust tomatoes are packed with antioxidants like lycopene which promotes heart health and skin health. The Walla Walla onions, apart from being a delight to your taste buds, bring a healthy dose of vitamin C, chromium, and cancer-fighting quercetin to the mix. The addition of apple cider vinegar and extra virgin olive oil not only contributes to the tangy taste, but these ingredients are known for their numerous health benefits, including aiding digestion, balancing blood sugars, and boosting heart health. The salad is topped with fresh herbs like basil and parsley that offer lots of vitamins and minerals and they really do add a refreshing spin to the overall flavor.
Accompany this salad as a side with Grilled Tuna Steaks or Skillet-Roasted Chicken for a balanced, hearty meal. But trust me, this salad is hardy enough to stand on its own as a light summer luncheon too.
So, the next time you find yourself with a bunch of Walla Walla sweet onions and ripe tomatoes, do give this recipe a try. It’s a celebration of simplicity, flavor, and most importantly, Pacific Northwest Fresh.
What You’ll Need
- 3 large Walla Walla sweet onions
- 6 ripe tomatoes
- 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/2 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
Method
Step One
Start by preparing your ingredients. Peel the Walla Walla sweet onions and cut them into thin slices. Wash the ripe tomatoes and slice them into wedges.
Step Two
In a large bowl, combine the sliced onions and tomatoes. Toss them gently, ensuring the slices are evenly distributed.
Step Three
In a medium-sized bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk these ingredients together until they are thoroughly mixed.
Step Four
Pour the dressing you’ve made over the onions and tomatoes in the large bowl. Toss the salad gently so all the slices get coated in the dressing.
Step Five
Finally, chop the fresh basil leaves and parsley finely. Sprinkle these over your salad for a fresh, herbaceous finish.
Step Six
Give your salad one last gentle toss to distribute the herbs. Let it sit for a few minutes to let the flavors meld together, then serve and enjoy your Walla Walla Sweet Onion and Tomato Salad!
