Simple Tomato Salad (Jednostavna Paradajz Salata)

This is one of my Kuma Mileva's recipes for a simple salad using few ingredients. We had this at cookouts her and Kum Jovo (Joe) would have at their big house. Quite nice and refreshing anytime of year with any meal.

INGREDIENTS:

3 large beefsteak tomatoes stems removed and diced into chunks
2 green onions chopped (white and green parts)
1 green pepper cored, seeded, and diced into small pieces
1 clove of garlic finely minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon sugar
salt & pepper to taste
Sprig of fresh parsley finely chopped
Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)
Toasted garlic croutons (Optional)

PREPARATION:

In a small bowl or jar or salad cruet, mix the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and salt & pepper then set aside or place in refrigerator while blending the vegetables. In a salad bowl, put the tomatoes, green onions, green pepper, garlic and parsley then mix well. Pour the dressing on top and toss or mix with a wooden spoon or spatula so as not to break the tomatoes. Salt and pepper to taste, add more sugar if you like less acidic taste caused by the tomatoes and Balsamic vinegar. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Sprinkle grated cheese and spread croutons on top before serving or you can put the croutons on the table in a bowl and the Parmesan cheese as well so that your guests can add it to their portion if they wish.