Marinated Tomatoes With Basil and Balsamic Vinegar

Soaking onion slices in ice water before assembling a dish makes them milder. It's a great trick to use for onions that are added to tuna, egg, or chicken salad.

Yield: Makes 12 servings

Ingredients

• 1  small red onion, thinly sliced
• 4  cups  ice water
• 3/4  cup  balsamic vinegar
• 1/4  cup  olive oil
• 2  tablespoons  water
• 2  teaspoons  sugar
• 1/2  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  teaspoon  pepper
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2  to 1 cup chopped fresh basil
• 6  tomatoes, thinly sliced
• Parmesan cheese curls (optional)
• French bread (optional)

Preparation

Combine onion slices and 4 cups ice water in a large bowl; let stand 30 minutes. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.

Whisk together vinegar, olive oil, 2 tablespoons water, and next 4 ingredients. Stir in basil.

Layer half of tomato slices in a shallow dish. Top with half of onion slices. Drizzle with half of dressing. Repeat with remaining tomato slices, onion slices, and dressing. Cover and chill 30 minutes.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese curls, if desired, and serve with bread, if desired. Serve at room temperature.

Note: Recipe may be prepared up to 3 hours ahead.

Per serving (with bread and Parmesan): Calories 203 (36% from fat); Carb 28g; Fiber 2.2; Fat 7.8g; Sodium 414mg.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

88 (51% from fat)

Fat:

5g (sat 0.7g,mono 3.6g,poly 0.6g)

Protein:

0.9g

Carbohydrate:

11g

Fiber:

1.2g

Cholesterol:

0.0mg

Iron:

0.6mg

Sodium:

108mg

Calcium:

12mg