This Recipe includes
Main ingredients:
| Tomatoes |
| (Optional) avocado |
| (Optional) red onion |
Spices, herbs and flavoring ingredients:
| Garlic powder |
| Lemon juice |
| Olive oil |
| Parsley or basil |
| (Optional) balsamic vinegar |
| Salt and pepper |
Why we love it
When you are in the mood for something fresh and delicious, the tomato tartare can be what you are looking for and more. A traditional French starter, it looks beautiful on a plate, and is a great way to use up those gorgeous red tomatoes.
It also only takes 10-15 minutes to make. And as a healthy low-carb recipe which is gluten-free, a tomato tartare can easily be served to just about anyone. So let’s get cooking, shall we? Allons-y!
Using fresh tomatoes
Now, if you wanted to cook this like a true gourmande (french word for foodie), you have to get the tomatoes fresh from the marché. French people like to go to their local food markets, but I do realize this is not always possible.
You can use any type of fresh tomatoes you like, although you may like to mix up a couple of different types in order to add an extra oomph to the taste. Some tomatoes that you can use are:
- Tomatoes on the vine – juicy and slightly sweet tomatoes that are left on the vine until they are fully ripened
- Cherry tomatoes – small, round, and crisp tomatoes
- Roma tomatoes – Italian plum tomatoes which are full of flavor with a tangy taste.
Look for ripe tomatoes at your local grocery store or market, and mix and match as you like.
What to serve with it?
Tomato tartare is usually served as a starter. For the main meal, after a tomato tartare, try provençale bouillabaisse or a bohemian aubergine. Another idea is sautéed calamari and tagliatelli pasta.
What drinks to serve with it?
For drinks, a bottle of chilled rosé wine is perfect with a tomato tartare. Keeping with the local tradition, you can pick a Beaujolais village rosé or Aix-en-Provence rosé.
If you don’t like rosés, a chilled white or crémant from the Loire Valley also works quite well. You can read more about French wines here.
Tomate tartare (Recipe)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 medium sized fresh tomatoes
- juice from a 1/4 lemon
- 2-3 leaves of chopped fresh parsley or basil
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- pinch of garlic powder
- pinch of salt and pepper
Optional
- 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 red onion
- 1 chopped avocado
Instructions
- Using a fork and a sharp knife, cut the tomatoes into small cubes.
- Using a strainer, remove some of the excess water.
- Transfer the lightly strained tomato cubes into a large bowl.
- Chop the onion and herbs and add to the chopped tomato mixture.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix in.
- Place a cookie cutter about 7.5 cm (3 in) in diameter on a plate and fill with tartare. (Alternatively, you can serve it in a glass.)
- Press the tartare with the back of a spoon to even the surface.
- Unmold gently. Repeat to form the other portions.
- Put in the fridge for 10 minutes.
- Serve when ready.
Nutrition
If you enjoyed that, check out our other classic French recipes that are easy to prepare. Bon appétit and à bientôt!
