Fresh Tomatoes and Marzetti's Simply Dressed Balsamic: A Perfect Match

I could eat salad every day of the week, so when I was asked to sample Marzetti's latest line of salad dressings -- Simply Dressed -- I was excited at the prospect of fresh new products made from natural ingredients. Don't be fooled, however -- these dressings should not be reserved for salads -- they would also be great additions to main courses, and would make savory meat and seafood marinades. I decided to try out the Simply Dressed Balsamic.

The first thing I noticed about the Marzetti dressing was the packaging. The 12-ounce plastic bottles are shaped nicely and are comfortable to handle. The bottle opening is wide enough to fit a tablespoon. There is a twist-off cap and a safety seal. When the bottle is opened, a pleasant aroma emerges. Being a label reader, the second thing I noticed was the ingredient list. I like the fact that the dressings are gluten-free and made of minimal, all-natural substances. I was also impressed that they were free of trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, preservatives and artificial flavors.

The first six ingredients that make up Simply Dressed Balsamic all natural vinaigrette are water, canola oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt. There are 45 calories per tablespoon. You can see a list of all ingredients and nutrition facts here. A note to those with allergies: the product does contain eggs. The dressing is mild, yet tangy, and bursts with flavor.

It's hard to beat the taste of fresh tomatoes from a garden. A neighbor brought me tomatoes that her grandmother had grown in Utah. They were large, red and juicy -- the kind that make your mouth water. I was having a few friends over the next afternoon and thought if I paired the tomatoes with Marzetti Simply Dressed Balsamic Salad Dressing, they'd be the perfect match for a light lunch. I was right.

Marzetti has several delectable recipes on their website, specifically designed for the Simply Dressed Salad Dressings. My luncheon was a loose replication of Marzetti's "Heirloom Tomato Salad" recipe.

Ingredients:

5 large tomatoes, sliced
12 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
½ sweet onion, sliced thin
pepper and salt, if desired
fresh basil leaves
¾ cup Marzetti Simply Dressed Balsamic Salad Dressing
Italian bread

I arranged the tomatoes, cheese and onions alternately on a large platter. I peppered them and then drizzled with Marzetti Simply Dressed Balsamic and garnished with basil leaves.

I served fresh hot Italian bread as an accompaniment. When I eat at fine restaurants, I always enjoy the option of swirling my bread in balsamic vinegar and oil, rather than using butter, so I poured the extra Simply Dressed Balsamic into a small bowl and offered it as a dipping alternative for the Italian bread. My guests enjoyed that as much as the tomato salad.