Heirloom Tomato Flight Recipe

The Heirloom Tomato Flight is the summertime platter of my dreams: juicy, thick-sliced heirloom tomatoes, each dressed up with its own vibrant flavor combo. Whether you’re a fan of creamy cottage cheese with pesto, crave salty-sweet prosciutto and hot honey, or love a scoop of egg salad, every bite feels like a culinary adventure. This is the ultimate way to let garden-fresh heirlooms steal the show!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You only need a handful of star ingredients to create an unforgettable Heirloom Tomato Flight. Each one adds its own texture, bold flavor, or pop of color—it’s all about quality and freshness here, so choose the best you can find!

• Heirloom tomato: The centerpiece—choose the ripest, most colorful one you can find for unbeatable flavor and visual appeal.
• Flaky salt: A generous sprinkle draws out the tomato’s natural umami and juices, taking it from good to mind-blowing.
• Basil pesto (or any pesto): Adds a savory and herby punch that brings out the tomato’s sweetness.
• Cottage cheese (or ricotta): Creaminess that balances the acidity of the tomatoes—choose whichever you prefer.
• Hot pepper oil: For a zesty, spicy kick that brightens up each bite (add as much as you like!).
• Coppa (or prosciutto): Thinly sliced, salty, and rich—pairs beautifully with the tomatoes’ sweetness.
• Fior di latte cheese (or any mozzarella): Soft, delicate, and milky—the perfect canvas for salty or sweet notes.
• Crushed pistachios (or walnuts): Add crunch and a nuttiness that makes the flavors pop.
• Hot honey: Drizzle for a touch of sweet heat that elevates every flavor on the platter.
• Baked feta egg salad (or any egg salad): Creamy, tangy, and extra satisfying, this brings a hearty finish to the flight.

Variations

This recipe is kind of magical because you can mix and match based on what’s in your fridge, at the market, or suiting your current mood. If you want to shake things up or need to accommodate different diets, try these swaps!

• Vegan Flight: Use a vegan pesto, dairy-free cheese, and chickpea salad in place of egg salad for a totally plant-based experience.
• Nut-Free Option: Swap crushed nuts for toasted seeds or crunchy garlic breadcrumbs if allergies are a concern.
• Spice it Up: Add pickled jalapeños or a spiced dukkah in one flight for extra punch.
• Fresh Herb Overload: Try finishing with torn basil, dill, or chervil—especially if you have a garden bursting with herbs!

How to Make Heirloom Tomato Flight

Step 1: Prep and Slice the Tomatoes

Start by giving your heirloom tomato a gentle rinse, then slice it into thick, generous rounds. Each slice should be substantial enough to hold a mound of toppings—think ½ inch thick is perfect. Lay them out on a serving plate, ready for their flavor makeovers.

Step 2: Salt and Arrange

Before adding any toppings, give each slice a pinch of flaky salt. This one small touch transforms the tomato—drawing out its juiciness and waking up all that summery sweetness. Arrange the slices so they slightly overlap, ready to be decorated.

Step 3: Assemble the Three Flights

Now for the fun part! Top each tomato slice with a different flavor combo:

• Flight 1: Dollop with basil pesto, add a hearty spoonful of cottage cheese or ricotta, and drizzle boldly with hot pepper oil.
• Flight 2: Top with a ribbon of coppa or prosciutto, then a thin slice of mozzarella or fior di latte, a sprinkle of crushed pistachios, and a lavish splash of hot honey.
• Flight 3: Scoop a mound of your favorite egg salad (I adore baked feta egg salad for this) over the tomato.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

For the final flourish, add fresh herbs or microgreens over the Heirloom Tomato Flight before serving. Enjoy right away for peak flavor—the tomatoes are juiciest and toppings most vibrant at room temperature. Every bite is a mini celebration of summer!

How to Serve Heirloom Tomato Flight

Garnishes

Sprinkle your Heirloom Tomato Flight with plenty of fresh basil, dill, or snipped chives to enhance both the flavor and the presentation. Microgreens, edible flowers, or a few pretty flakes of sea salt will make your platter truly Instagram-worthy and even more inviting.

Side Dishes

This gorgeous flight is radiant alongside crusty grilled bread, a cool slab of burrata, or a spread of marinated olives. For a heartier plate, pair with a light summer pasta or a crisp green salad to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, set up a “tomato bar” so guests can build their own flights. Or, arrange your topped tomato slices in concentric circles on a large platter for a radiant, showstopping centerpiece. Individual boards or jars are also adorable for cocktail hour or picnics!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any extra Heirloom Tomato Flight slices in a single layer in an airtight container in the fridge. While best eaten fresh, the leftovers will keep their flavor and texture for about a day—just know the tomatoes may weep a little (which actually tastes delicious on toast!).

Freezing

These are not ideal for freezing, as tomatoes become watery and lose their gorgeous texture once thawed. If you’re hoping to prep ahead, keep your toppings and tomato slices separate in the fridge, then assemble just before serving for best results.

Reheating

There’s really no need to reheat the Heirloom Tomato Flight—it’s meant to be served at room temp for peak flavor and freshness! If chilly from the fridge, let sit on the counter for 15 minutes before enjoying again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving something bright, beautiful, and brimming with flavor, the Heirloom Tomato Flight is calling your name. Invite friends, set out your favorite toppings, and celebrate the glory of summer’s most iconic fruit—one colorful slice at a time. I can’t wait for you to try this and make it your own!

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