Summer Snowflake Tomato & Edible Flower Salad
A vibrant garden-fresh salad featuring heirloom tomatoes and delicate edible flowers, inspired by City Floral's Summer Snowflake Viburnum blooms. This mediterranean-inspired salads ready in about 20 minutes pairs quartered heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced fresh basil leaves, gently rinsed edible pansies into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, quartered heirloom tomatoes
- 1/4 cup, thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp, gently rinsed edible pansies
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Arrange 1.5 lbs quartered heirloom tomatoes on a chilled serving platter, cutting larger tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 2: Whisk 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified and slightly thickened.
- Step 3: Drizzle the dressing evenly over the tomatoes while gently tossing with clean hands until all pieces are lightly coated, ensuring no tomato is left dry.
- Step 4: Scatter 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves and 2 tbsp rinsed edible pansies over the salad, then let rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Summer Snowflake Tomato & Edible Flower Salad take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (20 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Summer Snowflake Tomato & Edible Flower Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep quartered heirloom tomatoes from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Summer Snowflake Tomato & Edible Flower Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Summer Snowflake Tomato & Edible Flower Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Summer Snowflake Tomato & Edible Flower Salad?
Mediterranean salads like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 0-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
