My Birthday Party – Part 2 – Timatim Seleta

Other than my cherry pistachio rice puddings Cherry Pistachio Rice Pudding and my prep work, the only actual dish I could fully make ahead of time was the timatin seleta, or tomato salad. It is very similar to pico de gallo, only with an Ethiopian twist. It never ceases to amaze me how so many dishes from all over the world are really very similar in so many ways. We are all different, and we all put our own spin on recipes to make them our own, but they are very similar too.

This is a versatile salad that goes with just about anything. People ate it as a side dish with everything else, as well as with the crackers I had set out by the timatim seleta. It was a huge hit, and received rave reviews. But if you choose, you can also serve it with lettuce and add protein of your choice, such as shrimp, chicken, tuna, or tofu, to make it more of a meal.

Timatim Seleta (Tomato Salad)

4-5 large tomatoes, diced large – I used heirloom tomatoes of different colors

1 yellow onion, diced medium

1 TBSP garlic

2-3 jalapenos, diced medium

1/4 cup olive oil

3 TBSP white vinegar – I used Prosecco vinegar

salt & pepper to taste

The Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

2-3 TBSP apricot balsamic vinegar, optional

1/2 cup water, or as needed

1 TBSP fresh ground black pepper

2 tsp celery seeds or celery powder

1 TBSP brown sugar

salt to taste

Gently toss all the salad ingredients together and set aside.

Whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing and add as much as is needed without drowning the vegetables. Chill until ready to serve.

This was one of the few dishes that I actually leftovers of, so I added a little to my carnitas and made quesadillas for lunch the next day. After all the cooking and prep work I did for the party, I took a little break, and told Larry I refused to cook anything on Sunday. I went on a mini strike. Our meals would have to be leftovers. 🙂 I am already thinking of other ways to use this delicious salad up too. I promise, none of it will go to waste. It will all get used somehow, in some delicious way. 🙂

Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.