To say I am obsessed with heirloom tomatoes is an understatement. My favorite part of summer is that heirlooms are in season. I make heirloom tomato salads at least 3 times a week. I especially love to roast these tomatoes to add in pasta sauce.
My salad I made pictured above is so easy to make. Slice heirlooms of different sizes and colors, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, chopped organic fresh basil, sea salt, and top with this new artisanal nut-milk based soft cheese the folks at Whole Foods Market turned me onto which I'll talk about more in a bit.
Once you start eating organic heirloom tomatoes you will find it very hard to go back to eating conventional beefsteak tomatoes you typically see in the grocery store. The taste and texture is unlike anything you've experienced in fast food or a chain restaurant. Organic heirlooms are sweet, juicy, and pumped full of life force. I literally feel tingly when I eat this food.
I never knew tomatoes could taste so good by themselves until I tried heirlooms. While preparing this salad, I ate three whole tomatoes in the process because I couldn't stop myself. The combination of organic tomato with fresh basil is truly remarkable. Add some buffalo mozzarella and you have yourself a pretty amazing appetizer.
I cannot eat mozzarella because of the dairy allergy but I added some crumbles of the new White Alder nut-milk based cheese from Kite Hill. This vegan cheese made from almonds and macadamia nuts is pretty remarkable. I was stunned how soft and creamy this cheese was. The White Alder has the texture of brie but has the flavor profile of a tangy mushroom. It's a mild taste.
My mom who is a die-hard cheese eater even liked the While Alder. I didn't tell her at first what it was. The cheese was her favorite part of the tomato salad. The Kite Hill cheeses are in limited availability right now sold only in California Whole Foods Markets, but will soon open distribution wider across the U.S.
I'm seeing a cheese, tomato sandwich in my future.
