Fall

Lettuce and Tomato Salad

by:
October  4, 2022
4
2 Ratings
  • Prep time 15 minutes
  • Serves 2
Author Notes

I remember my grandmother making the simplest of salads with tomatoes and lettuces. She would quickly tear the lettuce and then chop the tomatoes into large diamond-like chunks, and just as quickly added a mayonnaise dressing that almost immediately turned milky and thin. The dressing served to bind the ripest and freshest ingredients. In my version, I have used butter lettuce, which is soft yet crunchy, and the ripest and most succulent tomato I could find. Making and eating this salad brought back the happiest of memories of a eating a basic salad that cooled the mind on a hot summer's night. —Bevi

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Ingredients
  • 1 large tomato
  • 2 handfuls butter lettuce
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 4 grindings of sea salt
  • 3 grindings of pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
Directions
  1. Tear up the lettuce and place in a serving bowl. Cut the tomato in half lengthwise, and then cut the halves using a "W" cut to create about 1-inch wedges. Add to the bowl.
  2. Mix together the mayo, lemon juice, salt and pepper and sugar. Add to the lettuce and tomato, and blend softly but thoroughly. Serve with corn on the cob, simple shellfish dishes, and other summery food.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

Recipe by: Bevi

Cooking is an important part of my past. I grew up and worked on our family resort. These days, I cook good food to please my friends and family.

10 Reviews

Fryson S. November 19, 2019
I love salads and the simpler the better. However, I do love to substitute a salad for a meal or two. When doing so, I add boiled eggs, shredded cheese, and mushrooms. I top it off with croutons (Garlic and butter are one of my favorite). Even though they say iceberg lettuce has no nutritional value, I rather iceberg and romaine than any other.
marie.killian.5 January 18, 2013
Love salads - the best olive oil for dressing a salad and making it so delicious is Carothers' Olive Oil! And to use some raspberry balsamic aged vinegar is not a mistake. http://www.carothersoliveoil.com.
inpatskitchen September 5, 2012
I know I missed this when you first posted, but you're right...my mom made this salad almost every night but with iceberg. Mayo and lemon were there too. Memories!
boulangere July 16, 2012
I love the simple beauty, Bevi.
Bevi July 16, 2012
Thank you so much, b. Your and MFK Fisher's views on dining alone have been guideposts.
boulangere July 16, 2012
Oh, you have to be good to yourself! Especially at the end of the day.
sexyLAMBCHOPx July 16, 2012
Looks delish!
Bevi July 16, 2012
Thanks, sLx! This is the time of year for tomatoes, that's for sure!
Bevi July 16, 2012
I feel like this salad in some version was a staple in many households in the day.
lapadia July 16, 2012
I have a friend who likes to serve her lettuce/tomato salad with a mayo dressing I love the lemony flavor!