Sliced Tomato and Onion Salad

8 large servings

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 – 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 5-6 medium tomatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds)
• 1 large purple onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings *
• 2 tsp minced fresh oregano (1 tsp dried)

Directions:

1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a jar; cover tightly, and shake vigorously. Set aside.
2. Core tomatoes; cut into 1/4 -inch-thick slices. Layer tomato and onion slices in a shallow dish, and sprinkle with oregano. Pour vinegar mixture over tomato and onion slices; cover and marinate in refrigerator.

* Placing sliced onions in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes prior to adding to the salad helps mellow the onion’s sharp flavor.