Heirloom Tomato Flight Recipe
This Heirloom Tomato Flight is a vibrant and fresh appetizer featuring thick slices of ripe heirloom tomatoes topped with a selection of flavorful and textural combinations. Each tomato slice is enhanced with flaky salt and then adorned with either basil pesto and creamy cottage cheese, savory Coppa with crunchy pistachios and sweet hot honey, or a generous scoop of rich baked feta egg salad. This no-cook recipe is perfect for a light snack or elegant starter, highlighting the natural sweetness and juiciness of heirloom tomatoes paired with complementary toppings to excite your palate.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 servings (3 tomato slices with different toppings) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Tomato Base
- 1 heirloom tomato, sliced into thick rounds
- Flaky salt, generous sprinkle on each slice
Flight 1 Toppings
- 1 teaspoon basil pesto (or any pesto)
- 1/4 cup cottage cheese (or ricotta)
- Hot pepper oil, to drizzle
Flight 2 Toppings
- 2 slices Coppa (or prosciutto)
- 1 teaspoon crushed pistachios (or walnuts)
- Hot honey, to drizzle
Flight 3 Toppings
- 1/2 cup baked feta egg salad (or any egg salad of choice)
Instructions
- Prepare the Tomato Slices: Slice a ripe heirloom tomato into thick rounds, about 1/2 inch thick, ensuring even sizing for uniform presentation. Lightly sprinkle each slice with flaky salt to enhance and draw out the tomato’s natural sweetness and flavor.
- Assemble Flight 1: Top some of the tomato slices with 1 teaspoon of basil pesto followed by a generous 1/4 cup of cottage cheese or ricotta. Finish with a delicate drizzle of hot pepper oil to add a subtle spicy kick, balancing creaminess with heat.
- Assemble Flight 2: On other tomato slices, place a slice of Coppa or prosciutto. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of crushed pistachios or walnuts over the meat for crunch and nuttiness. Drizzle hot honey over the top to introduce a contrasting sweet heat that complements the savory elements.
- Assemble Flight 3: For the final set of slices, spoon a generous 1/2 cup of baked feta egg salad or your preferred egg salad onto each tomato slice. This adds a rich, creamy texture and a tangy, satisfying flavor.
- Serve: Arrange all the topped tomato slices neatly on a serving platter. Optionally, garnish the platter with fresh herbs or microgreens for a pop of color and freshness. Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors and optimal texture.
Notes
- Use ripe, firm heirloom tomatoes for the best texture and flavor.
- Flaky salt enhances the sweetness and juiciness of tomatoes without overpowering the toppings.
- Substitute basil pesto with any pesto variant like sun-dried tomato pesto or cilantro pesto for flavor variation.
- For a vegetarian option, use only the pesto, cottage cheese, and egg salad flights, omitting the Coppa.
- Adjust the amount of hot pepper oil and hot honey to your preferred spice and sweetness levels.
- Serve immediately after assembling to prevent tomatoes from becoming soggy.
Keywords: heirloom tomato, tomato flight, appetizer, no-cook, basil pesto, egg salad, hot honey, Coppa, cottage cheese, baked feta egg salad
Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/heirloom-tomato-flight-recipe/
