I’m mildly obsessed with summer right now.
And by mildly I mean I’m stalking that shit with the focus of a serial killer. Not to get all morbid, but those guys, and yes they’re usually white males, are pretty intellectual and quite fixated on the object of their desire.
Ignoring all their other tendencies, since I have no inclination to maim anyone, I feel the same way about summertime edibles. While I do love my winter fare, I would happily languish in a bathtub of extra virgin olive oil or a pool of fresh ripe tomatoes. In fact, give me the latter, and I’d rip them open with my teeth and let the juice run down my chin. I’d steal a kiss from the Hubby, if only to suck up the dab of ripe produce on the outer edge of his lip. I’d inappropriately suckle each fingertip, mine and his, getting those last little bits of flesh.
Suffice to say, I’m smitten with tomatoes right now, and also maybe not quite right in the head. Granted if you were eating this particular bowl of summertime goodness, you would understand. Hell, you’d probably join in my naughty tomato eating cult where Big Red is our leader and the cherry and grape tomatoes lead blissfully happy lives before plummeting into our bowls of basil, oil and vinegar.
Our job is simple. We get to savor the flavor, soak up the goodness, and spread the word, seeking out new recruits like any good zealot should, which is why I’m sharing and singing the praises of this sassy white bean and tomato basil salad.
With only a mere fistful of ingredients, this dish is beyond basic, yet bursting with the bold flavors of summer: sweet, succulent tomatoes, brazen basil, and gallant garlic. The white beans add a click of superiority (you know how those beans can be) and a boost of protein, which means you can spread this on a crusty baguette and call it dinner.
Now there’s only one question left to ask: “Who’s coming with me?”
- 15 ounces White Cannellini Beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes, halved and/or quartered
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced fine
- 1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 tsp. White Wine Vinegar
- 3 Tbsp. Basil, cut into ribbons
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Add all ingredients from the white cannellini beans straight through the basil to a medium sized bowl. Stir to combine. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and let sit for 15 minutes in order to allow flavors to mingle. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary.
- *The cook time is letting the the dish sit for 15 minutes in order to allow flavors to mingle.
What’s one of your favorite summertime eats?
oh my my my this really is simple and sassy and sexy!!! meow! i love how simple it is, i actually have most of this stuff regularly except for fresh basil, but i can change that. yummy thank you. i’ve been loving me some english cucumbers and watermelon. not together but then again why not? and all citrus. i really want to make my own marmalade. oh wow that sounds good over ricotta pancakes. licking lips.
I could live on cucumbers and watermelon right now too. Pass me a phallic veggie please.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Sassy White Bean Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
Goodness, lady, you realize that intro almost needs a PG-13 rating, no ;)? What can I say, though? Summer and its produce never got a sexier wordy embrace. Mmmh.
This salad tickles my fancy. Succulent tomatoes- waiting for those in my parents’ garden to ripen -, wonderful legumes and some basil – simple perfection.
Miss Polkadot recently posted…Why competitive eating challenges are so wrong
Only PG 13. Damn, I better step up my game. I was hoping for an R rating. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Sassy White Bean Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
Ooo Hey now! You really got me going and I am in with you! Only I’ll provide my own man for the lip corner/finger sucking part…. As I anxiously await for a tomato to lose it green hue and give me a glimmer of hope! Are those from your garden?
Did you really peel all of those teeny tiny tomatoes?
No way. I cut in half or quartered the tomatoes, not peeled. Ain’t nobody got time for that. 🙂
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Sassy White Bean Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
These are actually tomatoes from last Fall. I made and photographed this recipe last September and I’ve been anxiously awaiting the start of a new tomato season to share it. That being said, I’m getting some cherry tomatoes from the garden now, although not the big boys yet.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Sassy White Bean Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
You just go ahead and have a little extra summer lovin’ on my behalf too.
The simplicity of this salad is what makes it perfect. Just highlighting the fresh amazing produce, I love it!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape recently posted…Does everything have to be justified? #5TTT
I plan to have loads of summer loving on your behalf. Woot, woot.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Sassy White Bean Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
I can’t believe that it never occurred to me to add white beans to a tomato salad. This recipe looks great! I can’t wait to try it. It’s now on my summer rotation.
Adding the beans really oomphs up the salad and makes it more of a meal. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Sassy White Bean Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
HA HA HA! Omg your writing is SAVAGE. Love it. Okay so you probably won’t even believe me when I say this but I used to grow veggies on my back balcony every year when my oldest three kids were little! My favourite by far were the wee tomatoes, warmed by the sun, fragrant, exploding in my mouth. YUMMO. I’d eat them just like that, right off the tiny little branch. <3
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Why did you stop? Do you have any desire grow tomatoes again?
Thanks love. My brain is a weird place and this post is what happens when I just type with no idea what I’m going to say.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Sassy White Bean Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
Well that woke me up.
I think you need to write a book. From the eyes of produce. Like an R rated Veggie Tales.
The thing about using fresh, garden grown summer produce, is that recipes BEG to be this simple. Because the flavors are that amazing they need to just shine on their own. I need to get some basil at my next market trip.
I’m with you. When the produce is in season, simple is often best.
Veggie Tales…I like it.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Sassy White Bean Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
Oh man! They way you describe this makes me need it super bad! It’s certainly summer in a bowl
Patrick@looneyforfood.com recently posted…Time Challenge Workout
Summer in a bowl, what an apt description.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Sassy White Bean Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
So here’s my tomato story and it isn’t pretty. When I was a kid, my Dad made me eat a salad with tomato wedges in it. I told him I didn’t want to eat the tomatoes because I would throw up. He made me eat them anyway and yes, I did throw up. Then he yelled at me for throwing up. Geez. Unenlightened parenting of the 50’s. I will eat the occasional tomato as a grown up but they certainly are not my favorite. My husband however LOVES tomatoes and will eat them as a snack like an apple or peach.
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Oh my gosh, that’s horrible. No wonder you want nothing to do with them. I wouldn’t either. I hated tomatoes as a kid too, although I never had your reaction. Eep.
Meghan recently posted…Simple and Sassy White Bean Tomato Basil Salad Recipe
Bean salads like this are right up my alley! Especially with garlic and olive oil mmmm. I feel like those two ingredients are really all you need for a delicious bean dish. And I’m convinced that people who don’t like beans simply don’t use enough garlic when they prepare them.
I think you’re on to something. The secret to a beans success is garlic. Olive oil doesn’t hurt either. 🙂
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