This market season, I have had the unique opportunity to volunteer at the 61st Street Market demonstrating simple recipes that can be made using in-season ingredients. I have had such fun planning for these demonstrations, sharing recipe ideas, and meeting other people who are passionate about local, in-season food. Helping people to realize that you can combine a few, very simple ingredients to make something truly delicious is the best.
This past Saturday I demonstrated a particularly simple recipe. I could tell, as people were passing through asking what I would be making, that they were not expecting to be impressed. But, they seemed charmed by me anyways and stuck around. You can imagine my joy when it came time to sample the salad and everyone asked for seconds. People exclaimed how delicious it was, and asked me to please email the recipe because the print-outs had all been taken by delighted tasters. I was on Cloud 9. Not because I had done anything spectacular, but because this group of people had shared in my love for these flavors that come together so naturally.
The thing about this recipe is that it is embarrassingly simple. There’s a reason for that. Corn and tomatoes really don’t need our help. They are delicious all on their own. So rather than interfere too much, I try to add just enough. This salad is a perfect lunch, or picnic side, or potluck contribution. Add some protein and turn it into a light dinner. You can really make this your own, but here is a good starting point…
Corn and Tomato Salad