Hot summer days call for refreshing salads. Enjoy this simple, healthy salad that has a bit of a twist!
One major perk of being a food blogger is that I get to meet some truly, amazing people. I met my dear friend, Ally of What’s for Dinner Ally’s Kitchen a few years ago when I first started blogging. Ally is smart, super creative, enthusiastic and an all around wonderful friend. Ally is a world traveler and shares her fun twists on all types of recipes that are easy to follow and delicious! She was very supportive when I wrote both of my cookbooks and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy of hers, Ally’s Kitchen, A Passport for Adventurous Palates!
Once I started flipping through the cookbook and all of it’s mouthwatering pictures, I came across this Refreshing Grape Mint Tomato Salad that completely caught my attention. Why have I never thought of that combination? It is amazing. The sweetness of the grapes, the crunch of the purple onion and the fresh mint all come together beautifully.
I let the salad sit in the refrigerator over night. The first day I ate it with raw spinach and white beans. The second day I wrapped it up in a tortilla with scrambled eggs (it might sound random but it was AWESOME!)
Grape Mint Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced purple onion
- 1 1/2 cups grapes sliced in halves
- 1 heaping tablespoon chopped fresh mint
- zest and juice from 1/2 lemon
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
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In a medium size mixing bowl, combine the tomato, onion, grapes, mint, lemon zest, lemon juice and olive oil.
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Toss to coat.
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Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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refrigerate at least one hour before serving to combine every luscious, refreshing flavor.
I told you it was easy!
Ok, so right as I was about to take this picture, a big thunderstorm hit and all of my natural light went away. That is why this is a little tiny bit dark, but you get the picture. No pun intended!
Guess what? Cooks & Books & Recipes is giving away ONE cookbook, Ally’s Kitchen, A Passport for Adventurous Palates, to one LUCKY reader!! Enter through the rafflecopter below.
Continental U.S./Canada only
Giveaway dates: May 27, 2015- June 12, 2015
ENTER TO WIN!!
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MGZkZmI3N2U1NjEzMmQzMWQwYWE3MTZmYWYzY2ZmOjY0
Feel free to check out Ally, all over the place!
Ally’s Kitchen website: http://www.allyskitchen.com/
Cookbook Trailer (video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyN6MCS8zBE
Blog Tour Page: http://blog.cedarfort.com/blog-tour-allys-kitchen/
Ally’s cookbook was released in bookstores on May 12th and it can be ordered online at:
Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1462115462/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/allys-kitchen-alice-phillips/1120728889?ean=9781462115464
ally says
May 29, 2015 at 2:06 amNoooooo! Lauren, it doesn’t sound ‘random’ at all! I love that you wrapped it in a tortilla w/a scrambled egg…I mean totally #boho and totally #ingenious! I wish you’d take a pix of it… in fact, I will…I’ll do that!! I adore you for so many reasons…but, I think one of the things that endears me to you, well, besides being just an amazingly talented foodie and one that I deeply admire and respect, is that you have three weetle boys, like me! So, I know kinda what your life is like! xoxo Thank you for this beautiful post and for sharing the luv! Hugs!! ~ally
lauren.kelly says
May 30, 2015 at 1:09 amOh thank you so much Ally! Your cookbook is a true treasure and I value our friendship! XO
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
May 29, 2015 at 11:03 amWhat a flavourful dish to share today- I’ve never added grapes to a savoury style salad- Yum!
lauren.kelly says
May 30, 2015 at 1:09 amIt’s a fantastic addition Arman!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
May 29, 2015 at 5:05 pmI love the grapes, mint, and onion all together – this salad sounds like it has wonderful flavors. I can almost taste it!
lauren.kelly says
May 30, 2015 at 1:08 amThanks Ashley!
Lana | Never Enough Thyme says
May 29, 2015 at 5:58 pmI’d love to have this salad right now for my lunch! Great combination of flavors.
lauren.kelly says
May 30, 2015 at 1:08 amIt’s delicious Lana!
Julia says
May 29, 2015 at 7:18 pmWhat a fun combination! I never thought to do grapes with mint and tomatoes in a salad. It sounds so light and perfect for a summer BBQ.
lauren.kelly says
May 30, 2015 at 1:08 amI plan on eating this all summer long Julia!
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
May 29, 2015 at 7:50 pmI love this unique salad Lauren! You are so funny, love that you ate it in a tortilla with scrambled eggs because why not it’s awesome!!!
lauren.kelly says
May 30, 2015 at 1:08 amThanks for getting me Brenda 🙂
The Food Hunter says
May 29, 2015 at 8:04 pmwhat a great idea to add grapes
lauren.kelly says
May 30, 2015 at 1:07 amIt adds the perfect amount of sweetness!
Kim | a little lunch says
May 29, 2015 at 8:54 pmLauren, thank you sooooo much for your review! I knew there was a reason I bought a mint plant (un-green-thumb though I may be. lol!) It’s thriving and I’m looking forward to making this salad — and trying your boho’d variations. Thanks again!
lauren.kelly says
May 29, 2015 at 10:52 pmI bet you love it Kim! Have a great weekend!
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats says
May 30, 2015 at 12:58 amone of the gals in my book club has been making this salad for our monthly meetings for years. The first time I heard of the odd combination of grapes/tomatoes and mint, I was skeptical. After tasting it, I was hooked! It really works and it’s so good!
lauren.kelly says
May 30, 2015 at 1:07 amIt really is a delicious combination!
Melanie says
June 1, 2015 at 12:48 pmI’m on a quest for summer salads. Can’t wait to try this. It looks perfect!
Martha @ A Family Feast says
June 1, 2015 at 1:16 pmLooks delicious! I met Ally for the first time a few months ago (such a lovely lady!) – I’ve got to order her cookbook as soon as possible!
Rose | The Clean Dish says
June 1, 2015 at 2:03 pmI must have this cookbook! This salad looks terrific! What a wonderful endorsement, too. Ally is lucky to have good friends like yourself!
lauren.kelly says
June 2, 2015 at 1:42 amThank you Rose!
Paula - bell'alimento says
June 1, 2015 at 3:49 pmI’m pretty sure I’ll be enjoying this all summer long!
lauren.kelly says
June 2, 2015 at 1:42 amMe too, Paula!
Alexandra robertson says
June 2, 2015 at 1:38 amThis sounds so uniquely delicious! I would love her book because my favorite thing to do is cook. I love trying new recipes out for my husband and son each day. I am crossing my fingers because this book looks great!
lauren.kelly says
June 2, 2015 at 1:42 amGood luck Alexandra!
Nutmeg Nanny says
June 2, 2015 at 1:46 amWhat a delicious looking summer salad! Love the addition of mint….yum!
Monique T. says
June 4, 2015 at 3:02 pmDrooled when I saw this so I made this last night and instant success with the family. My new favorite salad! I absolutely love pairing of the sweetness of the grapes and the tanginess of the tomatoes. Two great tastes that taste great together! (where have I heard that before?)