Tomato Salad With Dates
Updated July 30, 2025
- Total Time
- 25 minutes
- Prep Time
- 10 minutes
- Cook Time
- 15 minutes
- Rating
- Comments
- Read comments
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Ingredients
- 2tablespoons olive oil
- 1cup/4 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 2dates, pits removed, thinly sliced crosswise
- 4garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1tablespoon fish sauce
- 1teaspoon light brown sugar
- 1tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1pound large heirloom tomatoes, very thinly sliced
- 2tablespoons small basil leaves
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
129 calories; 7 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 17 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 13 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 361 milligrams sodium
Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Preparation
- Step 1
Add the oil, cherry tomatoes and dates to a medium skillet and fry over medium-high heat, stirring often, until the tomatoes have started to soften and the dates are lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes.
- Step 2
Add the garlic, fish sauce, sugar and 1 tablespoon water, and stir for 30 seconds, until the sauce has reduced to a caramel consistency. Remove from the heat and stir in the lime juice, then transfer to a bowl to cool in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
- Step 3
Place the sliced tomatoes on a serving platter, and top with the cooled tomato and date mixture. Sprinkle with the basil leaves and serve right away.
Private Notes
Comments
There is vegan fish sauce available in stores. You could also likely use soy, tamari, miso, or something similar. Personally, I might sprinkle in some of Trader Joe's mushroom powder.
I get it, it's all about the fish sauce. But what's an appropriate umami sub suitable for vegetarians or fish allergic people? (This recipe is a good reminder to those and others that vegetable dishes don't always mean vegetarian. The number of vegetable soups that start with chicken stock is astounding.)
Does the recipe call for fresh dates? If so, are dried dates suitable substitutes?
This sauce is amazing. I skipped the sliced tomatoes and use the sauce with everything -- over pasta, as a side with roast chicken, as the base for this roasted fish recipe https://body-change.today/recipes/1020454-one-pan-roasted-fish-with-cherry%3C/a%3E, etc. I double the dates, because I love them, but it is not necessary. For vegans, replace the fish sauce with equal parts soy sauce and either rice vinegar or lime juice.