Heirloom Tomato & Summer Corn Salad
I love preparing this salad for my clients because they can enjoy it many ways. Some like the corn salad layered over colorful heirloom tomatoes, on a bed of arugula.
Others like the corn salad just as it is, or with grilled steak or as a side dish with a whole roast chicken.
CLASSIC TOMATO & CORN SALAD
Here in Southern California, the heirloom tomato season extends past summer. I make this dish for my client’s meal prep year-round.
I reach for colorful heirloom tomatoes and cherry tomatoes to brighten this dish. I like a mix of red, yellow and green heirloom tomatoes as a base for this dish. I mix the corn salad with red, yellow and orange baby cherry tomatoes.
What makes this salad fresh and bright is the Tarragon Vinaigrette. If you can find fresh tarragon, use 1 tablespoon or dried tarragon of fresh, flat leaf Italian parsley.
SALAD MEAL PREP IDEAS
When I make this dish for my client’s meal prep, I don’t slice the large heirloom tomatoes. I keep the corn salad stored separately. For best results, store as follows and combine when ready to eat.
- Prepare the corn salad with ¼ of the Tarragon Vinaigrette and store in an airtight container all week.
- Keep the large heirloom tomatoes whole till ready to slice and eat.
- Store the arugula separate.
- Store the Tarragon Vinaigrette in a glass jar or container and add to salad as desired.
HOW TO PREPARE CORN WITHOUT A GRILL
For this recipe, you can use raw corn or you can lightly grill or blister the kernels. If you don’t have a grill, try the following techniques.
Blister the corn kernels over a gas stove burner.
For electric or induction stove tops, place your corn in a hot cast iron skillet or pan and heat till corn changes to a brighter yellow or lightly browns.
CHEF TIP
This recipe makes extra Tarragon Vinaigrette. Great news, it will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy on any fresh salad greens, including spinach, romaine, arugula and mixed greens.
Add a diced ripe avocado for a delicious corn, avocado and tomato salad.
IF YOU LIKE THIS SALAD RECIPE, TRY THE FOLLOWING
- Asian Kale Salad with Shiitake Mushroom Bacon
- Citrus Sumac Dressing
- Freekeh, Fennel & Pomegranate Salad
- Whipped Lemon Vinaigrette
- Halloumi Salad Recipe with Green Beans & Fennel
Heirloom Tomato & Summer Corn Salad
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Fresh tomato and corn salad with colorful heirloom tomatoes, fresh corn, chives, tarragon vinaigrette over a bed of arugula. Top with feta or goat cheese for a balanced seasonal salad.
Ingredients
- 4 ears of fresh corn
- ¼ cup chopped fresh chives
- 3 heirloom tomatoes, a variety of colors
- 2 cups baby heirloom tomatoes, sliced in half
- ½ small red onion, small diced
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp coarse black pepper
- 4-oz soft goat cheese or feta
- 5-oz baby arugula (one box or bag of pre-washed arugula greens)
- Tarragon Vinaigrette
- Avocado (optional)
Instructions
- Using a high-speed blender, prepare the Tarragon Vinaigrette. Combine vinegar, zest and juice of lemon, shallot, mustard, honey, sea salt, black pepper, fresh tarragon. Blend to combine. Slowly poor in oil and blend till smooth and emulsified.
- Using your gas stove or grill, blister corn till kernels are just starting to brown. Slice the kernels into a medium bowl. Add baby heirloom tomatoes, chives, onion, cheese and ¼ cup vinaigrette. Stir to combine.
- To serve, add arugula to the base of your salad bowls. Top with sliced heirloom tomatoes, and a heaping scoop of the corn salad. Sprinkle with additional cheese, chives and coarse black pepper to garnish.
Notes
You can blister the corn on the grill, over a gas stove flame or in a cast iron skillet.
This recipe makes extra tarragon vinaigrette. Great news, it will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy on any fresh salad greens, including spinach, romaine, arugula and mixed greens.
Add a diced ripe avocado for a delicious corn, avocado and tomato salad.
Thank you for reading. Follow Starseed Kitchen on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for more Starseed Kitchen inspiration.
Leave a Reply