Here’s a salad you will most definitely fall in love with: Fresh Mozzarella and Kumato Tomato Salad
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about my amazing dining experience at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Ruth’s Chris has never before released any of their recipes to the public, but they’ve agreed to let me share one of their salad recipes today with my Recipe Girl readers! I made this recipe for a special date-night-in evening with my husband. We enjoyed this salad immensely with a perfectly cooked piece of filet mignon.
This salad recipe begins with Kumato tomatoes. Don’t let that fancy name scare you. Kumato tomatoes are sold in most markets in a package- right next to your everyday kind of tomato. Kumatos are a Spanish variety of tomato with a slightly sweeter taste than regular tomatoes. They can be greenish, plum color or purple. I think they make for an interesting look for a tomato salad, and I love their sweet flavor.
Sliced Kumato tomatoes are tossed with a simple homemade balsamic vinaigrette. This recipe also calls for fresh mozzarella. I’d suggest picking up really good fresh mozzarella from a specialty market for best results.
Do not skip drizzling a balsamic glaze on top. Balsamic glaze can be found at almost any market near the regular balsamic dressing- or in the Italian section. It’s a reduced, sweet, syrupy glaze that makes this salad taste incredible. Believe me, you’ll want to use it for other things too– like drizzling over chicken or fish.
My husband and I absolutely loved this recipe, and it will be a repeater in our house (a rare thing!) on date nights. I’ll have to try it out on my son too because I think that balsamic glaze might just turn my teenager on to tomatoes. It’s worth a try anyways!
You can also try this recipe at Ruth’s Chris Steak House. They have the largest collection of upscale steak houses in the world- and they’re celebrating their 50th anniversary of being in business this year! I love to experience their restaurant when I have special guests in town- it’s an impressive place to entertain, and all of their food is excellent. Ruth’s Chris also has a Sizzle, swizzle & Swirl menu -which has $8 entrees and cocktails- available in limited locations. My husband has used this option on many occasions while traveling on business– he loves their steak sandwich! Ruth’s Classics Menu is a great 3-course seasonally inspired menu for those with a limited budget: https://www.ruthschris.com/
Fresh Mozzarella and Kumato Tomato Salad
Ingredients
DRESSING
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Sugar in the Raw (see notes below)
- 2½ teaspoons sea salt (see notes below)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
SALAD
- 4 to 6 small Kumato tomatoes, cored and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons balsamic dressing (from recipe above)
- 2 teaspoons balsamic glaze (see notes below)
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons torn fresh basil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
DRESSING
- Add all ingredients to a jar or bowl with a lid. Shake or whisk together; store refrigerated for up to one week.
SALAD
- Place the tomatoes in a medium bowl and drizzle 2 tablespoons balsamic dressing. Toss gently.
- Divide the tomatoes between two plates or bowls. Top with the fresh mozzarella pieces. Drizzle balsamic glaze and olive oil on top. Sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper.
Notes
- This recipe makes extra dressing, so plan to use it for your other salads throughout the week.
- If you are unable to locate Sugar in the Raw at your market, it's okay to substitute brown sugar.
- Don't worry about the amount of salt in the dressing! The Ruth's Chris chef assured me that the salt in the dressing is intense because so little dressing is used on the salad; tomatoes crave salt! I made the dressing as written, and he's right... it's perfect!
- Balsamic glaze can be purchased in specialty markets, and you'll also find in many well-stocked regular markets too. Look for it near the balsamic vinegar.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Disclosure: I’m working with Ruth’s Chris Steak House to help them celebrate their 50th anniversary. This recipe was provided to me to make and share with my readers. I loved it!! All opinions shared are my own.
I haven’t tried Kumatos or Ruth’s Chris Steak House yet. That’s something I need to change soon. I would love this salad too.
I have walked by the tomatoes a thousand times and have never tried them1 Now I know exactly how to eat them!
I am happy to see a recipe featuring Kumato tomatoes; they are one of the few varieties of tomatoes that consistently taste good out of season. The recipe is basically a caprese salad, and it would be much easier to drizzle it with a good quality balsamic vinegar than to make the glaze and dressing.
What a delicious and gorgeous salad! I would happily eat this all day every day!
Look at you, getting them to unveil their recipe! I would/could eat his every day of my life. Delicious!
Just tried balsamic vinegar for the first time (at T.G.I. fridays of all places) and LOVED it. And I realized how much in life I’m been missing out on by not being more adventurous with food! I grow the fresh basil so looking forward to using it ~ now if I could only grow mozzarella!
This looks really good Lori! and the Kumato tomatoes give it a perfect look for fall.
Love, love, love Ruth’s Chris! But, it’s definitely a splurge/celebratory kind of dinner for us – and well worth it! All of the food in the regular dining room is outstanding and the service is really excellent.
I agree with your husband – I love their bar menu, too! If we eat in the bar during happy hour, their sandwiches (the burger is excellent as is the crab BLT) are $8 and very filling.
What an absolutely gorgeous salad. I could eat it every day! I’m going to open my eyes next time at the grocery to see if I can find any kumatos, I’d love to try them!