Tomato and Cucumber Salad in Creamy Balsamic Dressing

If you've got the thyme, I've got a great tomato recipe for you. Ever wonder how restaurants make that super creamy, tangy, balsamic vinaigrette? Now is your chance to learn! It's much easier than you think.

With tomato season in full swing, you'll love this simple tomato salad recipe that pairs so well with creamy balsamic dressing.

The salad is just 3 ingredients, but you could easily make this into a grain bowl with cooked quinoa, barley, farro or other hearty grain. Kalamata olives or feta cheese would also compliment this salad well.

Tomatoes are a great source of cancer-fighting vitamin C and lycopene. They're also a source of fiber and potassium, two nutrient we could all use a bit more of in our diets. Cucumbers provide water and fiber in our diets and a small amount of vitamin C.

I like the color and crunch they add to salads and salsas.Any type of tomato will do here. Grape of cherry tomatoes are simple to cut and would save some chopping time. You're looking for roughly 3 cups of chopped tomatoes in the recipe along with 1 cucumber and a dousing of red onions.

I find raw onions of any kind to be a flavor bully, so I tend to go easy on them. This tomato salad could also be added to traditional lettuce, spinach or kale salads to increase the number of servings as well as veggies. It goes well with any greens and will keep a few days after dressing.

A few salad tips:

• Balsamic vinegar STAINS! If you spill it while mixing the dressing, clean it up immediately. You might need a Magic eraser if it's been sitting a minute.

• Plain soy-based, cashew or coconut based yogurt could be used in place of Greek yogurt if you want to make the salad vegan.

• White vinegar could be used in place of lemon juice.

• Dried oregano or basil can replace dill. If you're out of balsamic vinegar, red wine or apple cider vinegar could be used.

• Dress the salad right before serving to keep it fresher, longer.

Ingredients

Salad:

• 3 large beefsteak or other tomatoes, diced

• 1 cucumber, quartered

• 1/4 red onion, diced

Dressing:

• 2 Tbsp. non-fat plain Greek yogurt

• 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil

• 1 tsp. lemon juice

• 1/4 tsp. dried dill

• 1/4 tsp. seasoned salt

Directions:

1. Combine the tomatoes, cucumbers and onions and a bowl.

2. In a mixing up, combine the Greek yogurt, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, dried dill and seasoned salt.

3. Drizzle the dressing over the tomato salad right before serving.

Makes 6 servings.