Cherry Tomato Salad with Tarragon and Blue Cheese (ATK)

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If in-season cherry tomatoes are unavailable, substitute vine-ripened cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes from the supermarket. Cut grape tomatoes in half along the equator (rather than quartering them). If you don’t have a salad spinner, after the salted tomatoes have stood for 30 minutes, wrap the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and gently shake to remove seeds and excess liquid. Strain the liquid and proceed with the recipe as directed. The amount of liquid given off by the tomatoes will depend on their ripeness. If you have less than 1/2 cup of juice after spinning, proceed with the recipe using the entire amount of juice and reduce it to 3 tablespoons as directed (the cooking time will be shorter).

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Ingredients

  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes , ripe, quartered (about 4 cups) (see note)
  • Table salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 4 teaspoons honey
  • 1 medium shallot, minced (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans , toasted
  • 2 ounces crumbled blue cheese
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon leaves

Preparation

Step 1

Toss tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and sugar in medium bowl; let stand for 30 minutes. Transfer tomatoes to salad spinner and spin until seeds and excess liquid have been removed, 45 to
60 seconds, stirring to redistribute tomatoes several times during spinning. Return tomatoes to bowl and set aside. Strain tomato liquid through fine-mesh strainer into liquid measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible.

Bring 1/2 cup tomato liquid (discard any extra), mustard, honey, shallot, and vinegar to simmer in small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until reduced to 3 tablespoons, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to small bowl and cool to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Whisk in oil and pepper to taste until combined. Taste and season with up to 1/8 teaspoon table salt.

Add pecans, cheese, dressing, and tarragon to bowl with tomatoes; toss gently and serve.

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