Molded Tomato Salads Recipes

THE MOTHERSHIP TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• This is an incredible tomato salad but there are two things to remember if you want to wow your guests with something so simple. The first is that you should try to get a mixture of different, tasty, local (if possible) tomatoes in all different shapes, sizes and colors. Second, the flavor is brought out by salting the tomatoes, so don't skip this bit. Some people get worried about putting this much salt on their food, but the bulk of it will drip off, leaving you with really beautiful, intensely flavored tomatoes.
• If you can get hold of some dried flowering oregano then do, as it has the most heavenly flavor. Feel free to use the dried stuff that you get in a little container, but it can taste a bit like sawdust when compared to the fruity, fragrant flavor you get from the flowering variety. Oregano is also great to grow in the garden.
• Depending on the size of your tomatoes, slice some in half, some into quarters and others into uneven chunks. Straightaway this will give you the beginnings of a tomato salad that's really brave and exciting to look at and eat. Put the tomatoes into a colander and season with a good pinch of sea salt.
• Give them a toss, season again and give a couple more tosses. The salt won't be drawn into the tomatoes; instead it will draw any excess moisture out, concentrating all the lovely flavors. Leave the tomatoes in the colander on top of a bowl to stand for around 15 minutes, then discard any juice that has come out of them.
• Transfer the tomatoes to a large bowl and sprinkle over the oregano. Make a dressing using 1 part vinegar to 3 parts oil, the garlic and the chile. Drizzle the tomatoes with enough dressing to coat everything nicely.
• This is a fantastic tomato salad, which is totally delicious to eat on its own. It's also great served with some balls of mozzarella or some nice, grilled ciabatta bread.
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MOLDED TOMATO SALADS

Steps:

• Prepare an ice bath, and bring a large saucepan of water to a boil.
• Using a slotted spoon, lower the tomatoes, a few at a time, into the boiling water. Cook 15 to 30 seconds. Transfer tomatoes to the ice bath, and let stand several minutes. Drain the tomatoes in a colander.
• Peel the tomatoes; remove and discard the cores. Slice tomatoes in half, and, using a melon baller, remove and discard all the seeds. Cut the tomato flesh into 1/4-inch dice, and transfer to a medium bowl. Sprinkle tomatoes with 1 teaspoon salt, and let them stand about 25 minutes.
• Place the tomatoes in a sieve, and gently press down on the flesh, extracting as much of the liquid as possible. If your tomatoes are particularly juicy, let them stand 15 minutes more; reserve tomato water to use in sauces or vinaigrettes. Return the tomato flesh to the bowl, and add olive oil, garlic, shallot, and marjoram. Season with salt and pepper; mix to combine.
• Generously brush a 1/2-cup dry measure with olive oil. Fill with tomato mixture, and press down with the back of a spoon, extracting any excess liquid; pour off liquid. Line a salad plate with a shiso leaf. Run a small knife between tomato mixture and the measure, and invert measure on shiso leaf. Gently tap bottom, and unmold salad.
• Repeat step five with the remaining tomato mixture and shiso leaves, and serve.

GRANDMA'S MOLDED TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• 1. In a medium to large saucepan, heat tomatoes to just boiling and add gelatin. Stir until gelatin is dissolved. Remove from heat and chill until slightly thickened, usually between 45 minutes to one hour. Check occasionally so it doesn't set too much.
• 2. When thickened, stir in the remaining ingredients thoroughly and pour into a lightly oiled 6 cup mold or 9x15 baking pan. Chill til completely set.
• 3. To serve, unmold on lettuce leaf lined plate. Or if in a baking pan, cut into squares and serve.

MOLDED VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, dissolve gelatin and salt if desired in boiling water. Add the cold water and vinegar. Chill until partially set. Fold in remaining ingredients. Pour into a 4-cup mold that has been lightly coated with cooking spray. Chill until firm. Unmold onto a serving platter.

MIXED TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Core beefsteak tomatoes; cut each into 8 wedges. Halve grape and cherry tomatoes; leave pear tomatoes whole.
• Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil; season with salt and pepper. In a large bowl, toss arugula with half the dressing. Divide arugula and tomatoes evenly among four serving plates; drizzle tomatoes with remaining dressing. Serve immediately.

MOLDED TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• 1. In small saucepan, soften gelatin in cold water blend in juice, vinegar and several drops Tabasco®. Heat and stir until gelatin dissolves. Chill until partially set. Fold in green pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Pour into a 4-cup mold. Chill until firm.Dressing:*Combine avocado dip, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and Tabasco® in small bowl and chill. Unmold salad onto serving platter surround with lettuce leaves and serve dressing separately.

SIMPLE MARINATED TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Arrange tomatoes in a serving bowl; sprinkle with parsley. Combine the remaining ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well. Pour over tomatoes. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until ready to serve.