Vegetables

Grilled Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Unagi Sauce

Name: Grilled Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Unagi Sauce
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce; 1/4 cup mirin; 1/4 cup sugar; 2 tablespoons soju or sake; 1/3 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; Salt; 2 green (unripe) tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick; 1 tablespoon canola oil, plus more for brushing; 2 cups yellow grape tomatoes, 1 cup halved; 1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced and torn into bite-size pieces; 3 tablespoons thinly sliced basil; 3 tablespoons chopped mint

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Chicago chef Stephanie Izard makes the ultimate summer salad with a creamy version of sweet-salty Japanese unagi sauce, which is typically brushed over eel. Slideshow: More Tomato Recipes

By

Stephanie Izard

Updated on February 27, 2023

Grilled Tomato Salad with Mozzarella and Unagi Sauce — Photo: © John Kernick

Total Time:

45 mins

Yield:

6

Ingredients

1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup mirin
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons soju or sake
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Salt
2 green (unripe) tomatoes, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 tablespoon canola oil, plus more for brushing
2 cups yellow grape tomatoes, 1 cup halved
1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced and torn into bite-size pieces
3 tablespoons thinly sliced basil
3 tablespoons chopped mint

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce with the mirin, sugar and soju; bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat, stirring, until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely, then whisk in the mayonnaise and lime juice and season with salt.
Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Brush the green tomatoes with oil and season with salt. Grill over high heat, turning once, until lightly charred, 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool, then cut into quarters.
In a perforated grill pan, toss the whole grape tomatoes with the 1 tablespoon of oil and season with salt. Grill over high heat, tossing occasionally, until lightly charred, about 2 minutes. Let cool slightly.
On a platter, toss the mozzarella with all of the tomatoes. Drizzle 1/2 cup of the unagi sauce over the salad and scatter the basil and mint on top. Serve, passing the remaining sauce at the table.

Make Ahead

The unagi sauce can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Suggested Pairing

Pair this umami-rich salad with a dry ale.