PW's Marinated Tomato Salad with Herbs with a little inspiration from Beyer Beware

It is no secret that I have been in a writing and cooking funk this summer and so far the start of school for Big Sissy and Bubby has not helped me get out of that funk.  However, I think the premiere of The Pioneer Woman's new show on the Food Network has gotten me going again which is only fitting as she was the inspiration around me starting my blog. 

After watching the premiere episode yesterday, I was inspired to get back in the kitchen.  It is very rare that when I watch a cooking show that I have all of the ingredients needed to make something they just made on hand.  This was the case yesterday after I watched Ree make her marinated tomato salad with herbs, but thanks to Miss Leah from Beyer Beware always inspiring me to be adventurous in the kitchen, I didn't let that stop me.  So thanks to Ree and Leah, we had one yummy marinated tomato salad as a side dish for dinner last night. 

Marinated Tomato Salad with Herbs
6 to 8 ripe tomatoes
4 green onions
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
3-4 T. balsamic vinegar
2 T. brown sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Handful fresh parsley leaves, lightly chopped
12 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade

I didn't have any green onions, parsley, or basil on hand, but I thought it was worth a go since I had some delicious yellow tomatoes on hand along with all of the ingredients to make the marinade.  I also had a home grown cucumber so I decided to add it to the tomatoes in place of the green onions. 

Directions
Cut the tomatoes into 4 wedges, then cut the wedges in half and add to a bowl. 

Slice the cucumber  and add to the bowl with the tomatoes. 

Add the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, dash of salt and pepper to a jar.

Screw on the lid and shake to combine.  (My dressing is slightly lighter than PW's as I only had white balsamic vinegar on hand.)

Pour the dressing over the tomatoes and toss.

Add the herbs and gently toss to combine.  Cover and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving. 

Enjoy!

Although I had to make a few substitutions and didn't have any herbs, The Farmer gave this dish two thumbs up.  Now I can't wait to make it with the herbs and onions as I bet it will only be better.

Linked to Pinke Post's PW party