Using the tomatoes

We have had a good tomato crop this year. There are 2 varieties – red cherry tomatoes and yellow pear tomatoes. They taste divine and look beautiful when combined. For lunch today we decided to have some, simply prepared with croutons, garlic, mozzarella, basil and oregano. Talk about a taste bomb.

Recipe (serves 4 as a starter or 2 as a main course salad)

1 T Extra virgin olive oil

4 Slices plain white bread with the crusts removed, and cut into ½ inch croutons

1 Clove garlic (or more to taste) sliced thinly

2 t Coarse sea salt

36 Tomatoes (mixed cherry/pear), cherry tomatoes halved, pear tomatoes quartered

24 Basil leaves chopped finely + a few smaller leaves as garnish

1 3inch sprig of oregano (leaves only) chopped finely

4 Mozzarella Bocconcini – preferably buffalo milk cut into the same sized pieces as the tomatoes

1T Sherry vinegar

Method

Heat the oil in a small skillet – until it starts to look swirly. Do not allow to get to the smoke point. Add the croutons and toss to coat. Continue to heat over medium low heat until the croutons are just browned and are beginning to be crispy – about 4 minutes. Turn the heat off and immediately sprinkle the sea salt over the croutons. Add the sliced garlic and toss. Add the chopped tomatoes, the basil and oregano and toss until just warmed through.

Serve onto a plate, drizzle with the sherry vinegar, top with the mozzarella, garnish and serve slightly warm. We had it with a glass of Kim Crawford's unoaked chardonnay.