Name: Fit as a Fennel Tomato Salad
Total time: PLACEHOLDER
Ingredients: 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 tablespoon milk; 1/2 small clove garlic, minced; Salt and pepper; 1 pound tomatoes, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks (or 1 pound cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half); 1/2 medium red onion, sliced thin; 1/2 bulb fennel, trimmed and sliced thin; 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil; 2 ounces thinly sliced deli ham, cut into 1/4-inch strips

Why This Recipe Works

When developing our Fit as a Fennel Tomato Salad recipe, we discovered a few rules to follow when pairing tomatoes with different dressings and ingredients. Acidic tomatoes nicely complement rich ingredients like bacon or avocado, while sweet tomatoes tone down the sharpness of onions or peppery greens. Yellow and orange tomatoes are typically the sweetest tomatoes. Green tomatoes—not to be confused with unripe tomatoes—are usually the most acidic. To hasten ripening, store tomatoes in a sealed paper bag. Never refrigerate a tomato; the cold destroys valuable flavor components.

Before You Begin

Remove any dried-out portions of the fennel bulb before slicing it.

Instructions

Whisk mayonnaise, Parmesan, milk, garlic, and salt and pepper to taste in small bowl. Place tomatoes, fennel, red onion, and basil in large bowl. Add dressing and toss until evenly coated. Gently toss in ham and adjust seasonings. Serve.