Heritage Tomato Salad Recipe

A vibrant Isle of Wight heritage tomato salad with buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, and microgreens, drizzled with olive oil and black pepper, served in a textured blue glass bowl with a Manzi’s of Soho flag.

Isle of Wight Heritage Tomato Salad with Buffalo Mozzarella

Summer at Manzi’s calls for the brightest flavours of the season, and few dishes capture that spirit better than our Isle of Wight Heritage Tomato Salad with Buffalo Mozzarella. Bursting with the natural sweetness of sun-ripened British tomatoes and paired with fresh mozzarella, this simple yet elegant recipe celebrates the best of summer dining.

 Crisp homemade croutons, fragrant basil, and a tangy pickled shallot dressing add texture and balance, making it the perfect light starter or side for al fresco gatherings. Fresh, colourful, and full of flavour – do read on to discover head chef Ferdinand Reitz’s recipe.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

¼ head of frisée lettuce
4 buffalo mozzarella balls
1 baguette (for croutons)
Extra virgin olive oil (a drizzle)
Sea salt and freshly milled black pepper (for seasoning)

For the Pickled Shallot Dressing:
5 large shallot onions
250ml Aspall apple cider vinegar
1tbsp sea salt

Recipe

Make the Pickled Shallot

  1. In a saucepan, bring the apple cider vinegar and salt to the boil for 5 minutes, then allow to cool.
  2.  Peel and thinly slice the shallots (a Japanese mandolin works perfectly for wafer-thin slices).
  3.  Add the shallots to the vinegar mixture and refrigerate.

Prepare the Baked Baguette Croutons

  1. Slice the baguette thinly.
  2.  Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season with sea salt.
  3. Bake at 180°C for 15 minutes, or until golden and crisp.

Prep the Isle of Wight Heritage Tomatoes & Basil

  1. Wash the tomatoes and gently pat them dry.
  2.  Remove the core of the tomatoes and cut into bite-sized chunks using a sharp knife.
  3. Wash and dry the basil leaves – they’re delicate, so handle them gently.
  4. Use scissors to cut the basil into pieces (this helps prevent bruising).

Prepare the Mozzarella

  1. Remove the mozzarella balls from their liquid.
  2. Pat them dry with kitchen paper.

Build Your Salad

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil, 1 tablespoon of pickled shallots, and a splash of the pickling liquid.
  2. Season with sea salt and freshly milled black pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3.  Place the tomato mixture in the centre of a serving dish.
  4. Add the mozzarella balls on top (whole or halved).
  5. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the mozzarella, add a little more salt and cracked pepper.
  6. Finish with crisp croutons for crunch.
  7. Serve and enjoy!