Greg Strickland likes recipes that contain “only a few ingredients.” His recipe for broiled tomatoes with goat’s milk feta cheese falls into that category. It has six ingredients, including the salt and pepper. The dish comes together with a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

“The idea is to highlight the tomatoes. The brininess of the feta cheese and the fruitiness of the olive oil do that,” says Strickland, an executive chef for Vi, the upscale senior living center chain formerly known as Classic Residence by Hyatt. Strickland heads the kitchen at the Vi in Highlands Ranch, Colo.

Strickland also seasons the dish with a bit of saba, the cooked grape juice produced from the “must” of wine grapes. “It’s got a certain sweetness to it but it’s almost tart,” says Strickland, who likens saba to balsamic vinegar. “It’s a nice counterpoint.”

This dish can be prepared in minutes. Tomato slices are placed on a heat-proof platter and topped with the feta. The tomatoes and cheese are broiled at high heat for 2 minutes, or until the cheese just begins to brown. The tomatoes and melted cheese are then seasoned with EVOO, Saba, salt and freshly ground pepper.

Strickland suggests serving the dish hot.

Bon appétit,

Claude S. Weiller
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
California Olive Ranch

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