Heirloom Tomato Salad Board (Printable Version)

A colorful mix of heirloom tomatoes, burrata, and basil oil, arranged as a fresh and vibrant salad centerpiece.

# What You'll Need:

→ Tomatoes

01 - 1.75 lbs assorted heirloom tomatoes, various colors and sizes, sliced or halved

→ Cheese

02 - 2 balls fresh burrata cheese, total 8.8 oz

→ Basil Oil

03 - 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
04 - 1/3 cup plus 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 1 small garlic clove
06 - Pinch of salt

→ Garnishes & Extras

07 - Flaky sea salt, to taste
08 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
09 - 1 tbsp toasted pine nuts, optional
10 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
11 - Crusty bread or crostini, optional, for serving

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Combine basil leaves, olive oil, garlic, and a pinch of salt in a blender or food processor; blend until smooth and bright green. Optionally strain through a fine sieve for a refined texture. Set aside.
02 - Artfully lay the sliced heirloom tomatoes on a large serving board or platter in overlapping layers or clusters to highlight their colors and shapes.
03 - Tear burrata into large pieces and nestle them among the tomatoes.
04 - Generously pour the prepared basil oil over the tomatoes and burrata.
05 - Sprinkle flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper over the salad. Optionally scatter toasted pine nuts and fresh basil leaves on top.
06 - Serve immediately with crusty bread or crostini on the side, if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It requires almost no cooking, just the joy of arranging beautiful ingredients on a board.
  • The basil oil adds a brightness that tastes like summer distilled into every bite.
  • It's flexible enough to swap ingredients based on what looks best at the market.
02 -
  • Don't skip the strain step for the basil oil if you want a truly silky texture; tiny basil particles can make it gritty.
  • Choose tomatoes that smell fragrant and give slightly to pressure—this is the one ingredient that determines everything, so visit a farmers market if you can.
  • Serve this salad within minutes of assembly so the tomatoes don't start releasing too much liquid and drowning the cheese.
03 -
  • Keep your tomatoes at room temperature until serving—cold tomatoes taste muted and lose their juice.
  • Make the basil oil in the morning if you want, but arrange the board just before guests arrive so the tomatoes stay at their best.
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