I have had a windowsill full of roma tomatoes staring at me for several days now. Ever since I saw Ashley’s tomato and corn soup, I knew I wanted to roast them. I just didn’t know what I wanted to do with them afterwards. So I waited.
And waited. And then just in time for lunch, inspiration struck. There is no grain I love more than millet. Something about it’s slightly corn-like taste and chewy texture gets me every time. My husband is a huge quinoa fan, and while I make lots of recipes with quinoa, it’s actually probably my least favorite grain.
I know. The food blogger gods are probably bashing lightning bolts together or something.
Quinoa is fine, it just doesn’t get me excited. Millet is a whole other story. And paired with delicious roasted summer tomatoes, it makes the perfect lunch.
Roasted Tomato Millet Salad
Ingredients: (serves 4)
- 6-8 roma tomatoes
- 1 cup dry millet
- 2.75 cups water
- 1 cup basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1.5 teaspoons cane sugar
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt + more to taste
Instructions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Slice tomatoes in half lengthwise and lay seed-side-up on a sheet pan.
Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Place pan in oven and roast for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until very soft.
In the meantime, prepare the millet. Combine 1 cup dry millet with 2.75 cups water, and cook either in sauce pan or in a rice cooker until light and fluffy.
After an hour or so, pull the tomatoes out of the oven.
They should be soft and juicy, with browning and caramelization on the skin. Mmmmmmm.
Add tomatoes to a large mixing bowl along with basil and olives. I chose to leave the tomatoes in large halves in the salad because I think the flavor is best when the juice is held in. But if you prefer smaller bites, you can also dice the tomatoes before adding to the bowl.
Whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, sugar, and salt, and pour dressing over mixture. Stir to distribute the dressing evenly!
Finish seasoning to taste with salt, grab a fork, and dive in!
This grain salad is great served right away at room temp, or reheated the next day as leftovers. It’s just one more way to enjoy my favorite grain, and use up any end of summer tomatoes that might still be resting on your windowsill.
As always, enjoy!
45 Comments so far
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I’ve never roasted tomatoes before, what a great idea! This salad is so pretty. You could also sprinkle it with mozzarella or feta to go with the tomatoes and basil, unless you want to keep it vegan.
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that looks soo awesome. i think the tomatoes look the best!
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This looks amazing! I love Roma tomatoes, but I’ve never roasted them. Great idea!
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OMG. That looks amazing. I’ve been looking for a new recipe for millet! Can’t wait to try!
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Sounds and looks perfectly delicious. Ihave never had millet either!
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I love quinoa and haven’t tried millet – will definitely add to my shopping list for this week!
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My husband and I both think that millet has the weirdest texture. The taste isn’t too bad. I love quinoa’s taste and texture, now I just have to figure out how to get my stomach to cooperate!
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I couldn’t give you a hard-time about quinoa, because I’ve never tried Millet. The name turns me off a little – reminds me of bird seed – but I guess I should give it a try. It does look yummy in the picture!
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I credit you with getting me to try millet for the first time last year and it’s now my absolute favorite grain. I feel the same way about quinoa as you, just not nearly excited about it as millet. Can’t wait to try this one!
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Your food always looks so delicious. I can’t wait until I’m rich enough to hire you as my personal chef. :)
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Your photos are so beautiful! The salad looks amazing!!!
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Yum!! I haven’t tried millet yet myself, but I know what you mean about quinoa. It’s not as satisfying as other grain-types– guess probably because it’s not a grain but a seed :)
That recipe looks lovely, think I’ll definitely try roasting tomatoes before adding to any recipe that calls for tomatoes!
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That looks absolutely amazing. I really like millet but my fiance, not so much. He thinks it’s sweet, which I sort of agree. Maybe that’s why I love having it with yogurt and fruit for breakfast. I may have to give this another savory try :)
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O made something similR with rotini and fresh tomatoes garlic basil and a little binof cheddar. This sounds so simple and so good. J hope to pick up some nice produce this week to try out this version
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I’ve never had millet before, but your description of it makes me want to go get some!
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I always forget about millet. Thanks for the fun reminder–this salad looks delicious!
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I’ve been seeing so many recipes pop up recently that call for roasting tomatoes. I think it’s a sign I need to jump on the bandwagon!
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This looks fab! Reminds me a bit of Nigella Lawson´s moonblushed tomatoes. I am so going to roast up some tomatoes!
I love millet, too, and I can understand why quinoa is your least favorite grain! I like it, but I prefer other grains as well.
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The salad reminds me of a recipe I have for roasted tomato oatmeal soup. It’s delish. One of these days I’ll have to try millet.
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You had me at “corn-like taste.” I am with your hubby and LOVE quinoa but can’t wait to give millet a try.
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i’ve never tried millet but maybe i will now :)
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Never roasted tomatoes before, but I definitely plan too! They would be amazingg on a salad topped with reduced balsamic =]
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I’m with you on millet – I like quinoa but I LOVE millet! I’ve never roasted tomatoes but the thought of swirling them up with some of my favorite grain is so so tempting. Tomoatoes are going on the grocery list…
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I made this recipe for dinner tonight and it was so good! Both my husband and I loved it. I did make a few changes. I cooked the millet with saffron, added green onion, red wine vinegar and oregano to the dressing and I had pimento stuffed green olives in my fridge, so I used those instead. Oh and I threw in some slivered almonds too. I think that the best part was the roasted tomatoes. The texture and flavor is so good! Thanks for another great recipe:)
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Oh I just want to reach out and grab one of those tomatoes !How delicious!
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What a wonderfully summery recipe! I love millet too. Can’t wait to try it!
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I discovered quinoa on your blog. If you say millet is where it’s at, then I feel compelled to try it!*
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don’t tell, but . . . i don’t really love quinoa either!!
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I like quinoa okaaaay, but it’s not earth shattering! I feel like I’ve seen a lot of roasted tomatoes in the past week, so clearly I need to get some myself and try this one!
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The picture of your tomatoes near the window makes my mouth water. In heaven there better be lots of perfectly ripe tomatoes!
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I was procrastinating making diner when I came accross your post and saw that I had the ingredients to make this recipe…
It was delicious. I’d never roasted tomatoes – you inspired me to give it a shot and they were a-ma-zing!
So thanks for making diner for us last night ;)
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Looks faaabulous!! So pretty! I like quinoa quite a bit, but millet will always win for me too! The texture and light corn-flavor are addicting. I love when it clumps together. mmm
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My mouth is literally watering! Yum! I just bought a bunch of roma tomatoes and now I know what I’m going to do with them. Millet is also a great fiber-rich food to add to the weekly menu.
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This looks great! I’m always looking for new ways to use millet. I bought a ton of it but don’t love it plain. And I love tomatoes. YUM!
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This looks delicious — all of my favorite flavors! And I bought a bag of millet and have been waiting to find a way to use it! Cant wait to try this!
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This looks so light and fall-ly. Can’t wait to try this out!
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I’m embarassed to admit that I don’t think I’ve ever tried cooked millet. I actually bought some awhile back to add to granola bars but now I want to recreate this salad. Quinoa is usually too airy for me… it sort of tastes like nothing. I like heartier grains!
PS – I’m hosting a sweet giveaway today only. Check it out if you’re curious! :)
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I’ve never tried millet. I’m desperate to give it a whirl…especially with some end of summer tomatoes!
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What a delicious salad…now I want to start roasting all those ripening tomatoes in my backyard! :)
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I want to roast some tomatoes. They look deliciouso!
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Emily Malone Reply:
August 31st, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Do it!
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I just roasted tomatoes based on this recipe, and they were AMAZING!!! Thanks, Emily!
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Emily Malone Reply:
September 5th, 2011 at 10:06 am
Yummmmm!
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[...] decided to give another one of Emily’s recipe’s a try. In this instance I chose a tomato and millet salad that she posted fairly recently. Only, I subbed the millet for quinoa as I already had it, so [...]
[...] Recipe & Photograph from Daily Garnish [...]
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