Heirloom Tomato Onion Salad

Summer is here!!  I know it's mid August and the rest of you have been suffering with sweltering, sultry temperatures for the last few weeks, but here in San Diego we are finally getting a touch of summerlike weather.  The sun is shining, (although it didn't show itself until 10 AM), it's above 72º and I'm finally warm.  I can still see that gray marine layer off the coast, but I'm absolutely ignoring it and pretending it's not there.

Summer makes me want toss together flavorful ingredients for lighter, fresh sides.  Angie, of Angie's Recipes, provided the perfect salad for our hello to summer dinner.  A light, absolutely refreshing salad using our coveted heirloom tomatoes and tossed with peppery arugula in a tasty vinaigrette perfectly describes her Tomato Onion Salad.  I discovered this salad about a week ago and have already made it twice with raving reviews both times. 

The ease of tossing the salad together and adding the vinaigrette at the last minute added to my love of this dish.  A few shakes of a small jar combined the dressing ingredients quickly and easily with the garlic adding another element to the depth to the flavors.  Amazing how such a small amount of this fragrant herb can work such wonders!

Thanks Angie for an excellent salad!! This will be one of those recipes that I look back 10 years from now and say "Ah.... I remember the first time I made that salad!  It was the beginning of summer ~ 2010." 

So join me in raising my glass (well... actually my fork) in welcoming our long lost summer.  May he see fit to return tomorrow!

Heirloom Tomato and Onion Salad

adapted from Angies' Recipes

2 medium to large sized heirloom tomatoes, chopped

1 small red onion, cut into rings

1 - 2 handfulls baby arugula

Sprinkle feta

1 Tbs Olive Oil

½ Tbs White Balsamic Vinegar

½ tsp dijon mustard

¼ tsp minced garlic

salt to taste

Mix salad ingredients together in a medium bowl.  Add vinaigrette ingredients to a small jar with a tight fitting lid and shake vigorously until combined.  Add vinaigrette to salad and toss lightly.  Top with  a sprinkle of feta.  Enjoy!