Tomato appetizer platter or tomato salad platter

Yes, summer is officially over, but here in the Pacific Northwest we are getting a final taste of summer with a sunny week -we deserve it. There are still plenty of summer produce items available at the local farmers market, including mouth-watering heirloom tomatoes.  I can’t get enough of them; they are one of the vegetables –ok, technically a fruit – that I miss the most during the winter.This tomato appetizer platter is a mix and match spin on the well-known caprese salad, it has the same ingredients plus a little bit more. We all know that tomato, mozzarella and basil are perfect together (if you don’t then try it), but that slice of tomato also tastes great with some goat cheese or maybe with a slice of aged cheddar. Add a little bit of garlic balsamic vinegar, some olive oil and a basil leaf or maybe a sprig of oregano or thyme. With or without bread, you choose, try as many combinations as you like.

A mix & match tomato platter is also a great way to try different types of cheese, olive oils from different parts of the world – compare an olive oil from Chile or Lebanon to one from Italy. You can also try different types of vinegar – a nice aged balsamic, a fig balsamic vinegar, or just mix some crushed garlic with some balsamic or red wine vinegar to add some spiciness. I also like to add a bowl of cherry tomatoes for the kids – ok, also for the adults. If you’re a wine lover this appetizer just begs for a nice glass of red wine to toast to the last flavors of the summer.

Photos of mix and match tomato appetizer platter