This traditional Czech and Slovak side salad is very refreshing, and it is especially perfect as a side to heavier meals. Although the combination of tomatoes, powdered sugar, and finely chopped onion may sound strange to you, after you try my Tomato Salad with Onion, you will enjoy it! It is a beautifully simple Cold Cuisine dish that uses fresh ingredients alongside a quick dressing made with distilled white vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Tom the Chef Founder
Let’s talk about important parts of the recipe before you start…
I am so thrilled to share my traditional Czech and Slovak side salad with you today. This Tomato Salad with Onion is very refreshing and is especially perfect as a side to heavier meals. When I first introduce this Cold Cuisine to people, the combination of tomatoes, powdered sugar, and finely chopped onion might sound strange, but I promise that after you try it, you will enjoy it immensely. The unique dressing comes together quickly in a small mixing bowl using distilled white vinegar, cold water, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil, while the fresh baby tomatoes or diced tomatoes are tossed in a medium mixing bowl. Let’s make this delightful side dish together, finishing it off with a touch of fresh parsley!
The secret to my Tomato Salad with Onion lies in the unique sweet and tangy dressing. To begin preparing this Cold Cuisine favorite, you will need a small mixing bowl. Place one quarter cup of cold water, one tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, one tablespoon of distilled white vinegar, one tablespoon of powdered sugar, half a teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of freshly ground pepper into the small mixing bowl. Use a French whisk to thoroughly stir until fully combined. The powdered sugar might sound unusual for a traditional Czech and Slovak side salad, but it perfectly balances the acidity of the distilled white vinegar and the richness of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Tomatoes are the absolute star of this Tomato Salad with Onion, so preparing them correctly is essential. You will need two pounds of tomatoes for this recipe. You can use standard tomatoes and make sure they are diced using your cutting board and chef’s knife, or if you prefer, you can use baby tomatoes cut in half. Both options work wonderfully for this refreshing Cold Cuisine. Placing these diced or halved baby tomatoes into your medium mixing bowl sets the foundation for our traditional Czech and Slovak side salad, getting them ready to soak up the beautiful dressing made from distilled white vinegar, powdered sugar, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
To complement the juicy tomatoes in my Tomato Salad with Onion, we must prepare the onion. The recipe calls for one white onion, though you can use another kind if you prefer. It is vital that the onion is peeled and finely chopped. A finely chopped onion distributes its sharp, crisp flavor evenly throughout the traditional Czech and Slovak side salad without overpowering the delicate balance of the powdered sugar, distilled white vinegar, and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Once it is finely chopped, add it right into the medium mixing bowl with your diced tomatoes or baby tomatoes.
Once your vegetables are prepped and your dressing is whisked in the small mixing bowl, it is time for the salad assembly. In your medium mixing bowl, you should already have your two pounds of diced tomatoes or baby tomatoes and your finely chopped onion. Now, pour the dressing prepared in step one over the vegetables. Using a silicone spatula, thoroughly stir until fully combined. Mixing everything gently in the medium mixing bowl ensures that every single bite of this Tomato Salad with Onion is perfectly coated in the delicious blend of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, distilled white vinegar, and powdered sugar, making it the ultimate Cold Cuisine side dish.
After assembling the Tomato Salad with Onion, the next crucial step is tasting and adjusting the seasoning. Every batch of tomatoes can vary in sweetness and acidity, so I always recommend tasting the mixed salad. If needed, you can add more Extra Virgin Olive Oil, distilled white vinegar, salt, and/or ground pepper to achieve the perfect flavor profile. This flexibility ensures your traditional Czech and Slovak side salad turns out exactly as refreshing as you like it. Just remember to stir it well in your medium mixing bowl after any adjustments to maintain the perfect Cold Cuisine experience.
The final step to completing this beautiful Tomato Salad with Onion is adding a pop of color and herbaceous flavor. Once you have tasted and adjusted the distilled white vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil to your liking in the medium mixing bowl, you will decorate the dish with fresh parsley. The fresh parsley adds a wonderful, vibrant green contrast against the red tomatoes or baby tomatoes and the white finely chopped onion. While you could optionally add a modification like fresh dill or basil, please note that is a modification that is not part of the recipe. Sticking strictly to the fresh parsley keeps it completely authentic to my traditional Czech and Slovak side salad roots.
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