Tomato and Roasted Capsicum Salad with Tomato and Smoked Paprika Dressing

, from Issue #101. January, 2022
Photography by Josh Griggs.
Tomato and Roasted Capsicum Salad with Tomato and Smoked Paprika Dressing

It’s a big call, but if I could only pick one tomato salad to eat all summer, this would be the one. Thick slices of juicy tomatoes and strips of roasted capsicum are topped with a Spanish-inspired tomato and sherry vinegar dressing. This is high summer on a plate!

Serves: 6

INGREDIENTS

2 large red capsicums
2 large yellow capsicums

DRESSING
2 medium, ripe tomatoes
¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
2 cloves garlic, crushed
¼ cup olive oil
sea salt and ground pepper

TO SERVE
800 grams assorted tomatoes, e.g., large beefsteak, heirloom, cherry stracciatella or mozzarella in whey, drained, optional

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 180°C fan bake.

Put the capsicums in a baking dish and roast until tender but not collapsing, about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover with a tea towel and cool. Peel and de-seed, then slice thickly.

Dressing: Halve the tomatoes and scoop out the seeds. Grate the flesh on the large holes of a box grater into a shallow bowl, discarding the skin. You should have about ½ cup. Whisk in the paprika, vinegar, garlic and oil and season well.

To serve: Arrange the tomatoes and capsicums on a platter and spoon over the dressing. Top with stracciatella or mozzarella, if using.