I found myself thinking about my grandparents a lot over the last few weeks. I guess it’s fitting since this week is three years since my grandma left and it’s been over five since I said goodbye to my grandpa.
The memories are triggered by my garden. Every time I see a red jewel-coloured tomato, pulling the vine close to the ground, heavy from all the juices and flesh, almost bursting when touched, I remember my grandparents and their cottage-dacha. It was their passion, their love, their life.
They spent every moment they could there. Staying until the latest fall, cleaning every corner, turning ground, covering trees and bushes. They went there early in the spring to check on damage, fix things, prepare for the summer. And they spent long winter months discussing merits of various kinds of tomatoes, black, red and white currants, carrots.
When I was little we had a game. I’d climb under the covers late at night, close my eyes and my grandma and I would come up with different dreams about our dacha. We would dream how we’d go there for the first time in the summer, what we’d plant, what we’d eat.
And after a few minutes dreams became memories and instead we’d remember last year and how happy it was. Years later, already in Canada, my grandma asked me if I remembered that game. The dreaming game.
I remember.
I remember my grandma covering windowsills in their apartment with little containers of soil and growing seedlings. Checking every day if there’s a new little green leaf. I remember her planning how to plant vegetables so that we’d have them all through the summer, finding the perfect combination of plants that ripen at different months.
I remember one year coming to visit my grandparents and finding out that grandpa bought a dozen tiny chickens who lived in a large card box in the kitchen. He wanted me to have fresh eggs in the summer. I remember finding the first egg in the coop that he made.
I remember eating snap peas right from the vine. I remember pulling fresh carrots and turnips from the ground.
I remember going to the well once a week to get a supply of fresh, clear, cold water before the pipes were installed. I remember eating outside on the veranda. I remember.
Last week I was talking to my mom and she told me how she bought black currants and red currants. Not the cheapest or easiest berries to buy around here. “I buy them once a year,” she said, “to remember.” She paused for a minute. “It’s been three years…”
I remember.
So, this salad is in the honour of my grandparents, who would have been so proud that there are tomatoes in my backyard, who would have given me countless advice on how to grow them properly.
Tomato Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
adapted from Barefoot Contessa at Home cookbook by Ina Garten
makes 2 servings
Variety of fresh tomatoes – 1 pound
Blue cheese – 70 g
Dill, chopped (or other favourite herb) – 1 tablespoon
Greek plain yogurt – 1/4 cup
Mayo – 1/8 cup
Wine vinegar – 2 teaspoons
Salt, pepper to taste
- In a small food processor add half of the blue cheese, dill, yogurt, mayo and vinegar.
- Process until combined, but still chunky.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Slice big tomatoes into thick pieces. Halve or quarter cherry tomatoes if using.
- Crumble the other half of blue cheese over the tomatoes, sprinkle with chopped dill and serve with the dressing.
Comments
– I love making this salad with different kinds of tomatoes as I find multiple textures really make this salad interesting and unique.
– As you can see from many previous recipes, I love using dill, but you can use other herbs such as parsley, cilantro or chives.
– You can use a bit less or a bit less vinegar. It gives the dressing a nice sharp edge, so adjust it to your taste.
– I have made this salad with Feta as well. It tastes different, but equally delicious. I actually think that goat cheese can be used as well, but I haven’t tried it.
Judy Kahansky says
We love lots of blue cheese in our home – and tomato salad is the best! beautiful photos too! Thanks!
Imagelicious says
Thank you! I hope you give this salad a try!
Marissa @ OMG FOOD says
Gorgeous photos! Blue cheese is my favorite dressing and I just made some last night. I’ll be making this salad with tomatoes form my garden! Thanks!
Imagelicious says
I love blue cheese dressing and tomatoes from the garden are the best!!
Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy says
OMG, i love tomatoes!!! I can eat tomatoes every day, I am so making this salad soon! Gorgeous pictures !
Imagelicious says
Thank you! I hope you like the salad!
Rachel @SimpleSeasonal says
What pretty heirloom tomatoes! I loved reading about your magical childhood memories with your grandparents. This salad is such a wonderful way to remember them by. I just love how some foods can bring back memories!
Imagelicious says
Thank you so much!! Food is such a powerful trigger!
Paige @ Where Latin Meets Lagniappe says
This looks so delicious! I love heirloom tomatoes and blue cheese! So yummy!!
Imagelicious says
Yep – classic combination!!
sarah says
What a beautiful story and a wonderful way to remember them by with an equally beautiful salad. Thank you for sharing!
Imagelicious says
Thank you very much!
Veggie Inspired says
Look at those tomatoes…perfect and beautiful! Yum! And I love that you put dill in this too…my fave herb!
Imagelicious says
I love dill – one of my favourite herbs!
Renee says
This salad looks delicious! I absolutely love fresh tomatoes and blue cheese dressing! Sometimes simple is the best!
Imagelicious says
I love simple yet stunning taste combinations!
Justine says
This is right up my alley! Next time I have fresh tomatoes from the farmer’s market, I’m totally going to whip this up. Thanks for sharing, lady!
Imagelicious says
I hope you like it! It’s a good salad to showcase tomatoes!
Jason Sandeman says
I remember my grandfather by the garden too. He was a herbalist, and one of my first memories of living with him was digging a 6 inch deep trench so we could plant asparagus. I still smile over that one when I cook asparagus. I was 9 at the time.
For me, I love the Danish blue called royalle. It’s got an acidy sharpness that cuts through the fatty yogurt. Then again, it’s not like I have never been known to consume blue cheese like it’s plain old cheddar. Nope. Not going to admit it. I’ll just be in the back with my uh… Nevermind!!
Imagelicious says
Food is like this – it has a way of triggering memories. Yes, I love Danish blue too! Love it with sweet pears – yum!!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Beautiful and extremely touching story, thank you for sharing that. It’s been almost three years since I lost my father, so I know how emotional, yet cathartic, that had to have been to write! This tomato salad looks delicious! The epitome of summer scrumptiousness- fresh, juicy and absolutely fabulous! I’m sure your grandparents are watching and are extemely proud! Cheers and happy friday! 😉
Imagelicious says
Thank you Cheyanne! I am sorry about your father. I understand how you feel. It’s difficult and raw and still warm and tender to think of the ones that left us! And yes, that salad is delicious 🙂
Homemade & Yummy says
What a beautiful story. I too miss my mom and grandmother. Now that I am a gramma myself (and totally loving it)…I understand the bonding and how important it really is to have those memories and being able to treasure them years down the road!!
Imagelicious says
Thank you so much! I’m glad you will be able to share so many delicious recipes with your grand kids 🙂
Chrissie Baker says
What a sweet, sweet post. I have very similar memories of my grandparents and the garden we shared while I was growing up and I was reminded of those times while I read your story. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂 And the recipe looks fantastic too!!
Imagelicious says
Thank you, Chrissie! It’s wonderful that you had similar memories. They are so lovely!
Olivia B says
Aww, such lovely memories. You’re so lucky to have grown up so close to your grandparents. I’m sure they would have loved everything about this salad and been so proud of you for growing your own tomatoes!!
Imagelicious says
Thank you, Liv! Yes, I am luck. There are so many people who don’t get to experience this kind of relationship.
Mel @ The Refreshanista says
such beautiful memories! isn’t it amazing the way food reminds us of our loved ones? every time i make an apple pie i think of my dad who passed when i was 10. we would go to the orchards together to pick our apples, then come home and fill the house with delicious smells of cinnamon and apples 🙂
your salad looks delicious! a lovely tribute to your grandparents 🙂
Imagelicious says
Thank you so much for your kind words! I was on the fence about posting it as it’s quite personal, but I thought that it’s my personal space here, so why not. Yes, food is a very powerful memory trigger…