Darina Allen: Summer salads to keep sunshine on your plate

Plus how to perfect the ultimate summer crowd-pleaser

Now that the Irish tomato season is underway, it is a great time for really good tomato salad.

Understandably, this column is always written a little ahead of publication, so chances are it’ll be raining today but after all the glorious weather we’ve been having, there have been lots of requests for summer grills and salads including several for perennial favourites such as potato salad and, now that the Irish tomato season is underway, a really good tomato salad.

We have 16 varieties this year including some ‘new’ heirlooms, notably Northern Lights; Green Zebra, San Marzano, Golden Sunrise, Yellow Submarine, Sartroloise, Tigerella, Brandy Wine, Black Russian, Marmande, Mirabelle Blanche, Andine Cornue, Stripe and Dzintare Lasite.