Tomatoes Niçoise

In the height of summer, a stellar but simple tomato salad is essential dinner party fare. This one has the distinct profile of a niçoise: Thick slices are arranged on a platter, then topped with a garlicky chopped olive vinaigrette and colorful halved cherry tomatoes. A flourish of anchovy plays against the sweet ripeness, and scattered basil leaves are both decorative and a delicious complement.

Ingredients

• 1 small shallot, finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 anchovy fillets, 2 finely chopped and 6 for garnish
• 2 tablespoons roughly chopped black niçoise or oil-cured olives, plus whole olives for garnish
• 6 small red tomatoes
• 12 cherry tomatoes in assorted colors
• 1 tablespoon small capers, rinsed
• 12 basil leaves

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

    113 calories; 8 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 6 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 3 grams sugars; 4 grams protein; 7 milligrams cholesterol; 404 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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6 servings

Preparation

1. Make the vinaigrette: Put the shallot in a small bowl. Add garlic, salt and pepper and cover with red wine vinegar. Macerate 10 minutes, then whisk in olive oil, chopped anchovy and chopped olives.
2. Cut each tomato crosswise into 2 thick slices. Place slices on a platter in one layer and season with salt and pepper. Season cherry tomatoes with salt and dress with vinaigrette. Spoon cherry tomatoes and vinaigrette evenly over tomato slices.
3. Top each tomato slice with half an anchovy filet, then sprinkle with capers. Garnish with basil leaves and whole olives. Serve at cool room temperature.

20 minutes