Oscar de la Renta's Tomato Salad

A few years ago, I was thinking of writing a cookbook filled with the most cherished home recipes from a collection of my favorite designers. In the process of building a book proposal, I emailed a few of those designers, asking for their recipes to see what sorts of things I would end up with. Mr. de la Renta quickly sent over this beautiful recipe for a tomato salad from his kitchen in Punta Cana. It arrived in my inbox typed out exactly as you see it above, and I took to my kitchen to test it out. As was the case with everything he designed, it was perfect. 

I've made it every summer since then, and though the book never came to fruition, this special recipe gained a permanent place in my home, and has become part of many treasured warm-weather memories. I've never published it, although I've thought of doing so many times. I'm glad for that now, because today seems fitting. 

I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. de la Renta, who was, and will continue to be, an absolute legend in my eyes.