You guys ready for the easiest, juiciest, and most beautiful salad ever? I know that’s promising a lot here, but THIS Heirloom Tomato Salad with Herbed Ricotta is about to change your summer. There’s so few ingredients in this salad and it literally takes about 5 minutes to make, and I can guarantee you that people are going to be so impressed when you serve it at your 4th of July party. It’s all thanks to the super sweet and colorful heirloom tomatoes, the total showstopper here. Heirlooms are already perfect as is, but once you pair them with the basil ricotta and a garlicky balsamic vinaigrette, it’s unreal! I saw this salad while flipping through the June issue of Cooking Light and flagged the page to remind myself to make it once heirloom tomatoes showed up at my Farmer’s Market. Well the day finally came and I couldn’t wait another second to try it out and share it with all of you!

Ingredients
Recipe from Cooking Light1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 garlic cloves – minced

2 pounds heirloom tomatoes – sliced
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
1/3 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 cup fresh basil
Sea salt & pepper to taste

1. Combine oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and minced garlic in a bowl, stirring together well.
2. Combine ricotta and 2 tbsp minced basil in a separate bowl, stirring together well. 
3. Arrange tomato slices on a platter (mixing up the different colors). Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper and the remaining basil leaves. (You can either chop the basil or scatter the full leaves – I like the full ones!)
4. Drizzle the balsamic mixture over the salad and dollop the ricotta mixture evenly over the tomato slices.
ENJOY!

Does that salad just scream summertime or what!? I’m planning on making this every week while these beautiful heirloom tomatoes are in season. And how cute are the little cherry tomatoes? Can’t get enough!