This puttanesca salad is summer on a plate.
A fresh tomato salad is the embodiment of summer in a dish. The bright, zingy flavours and vibrant colours are perfect for sunny days and alfresco dining. Inspiration for this salad has come from the flavours of a puttanesca pasta. We’ve taken some of the key ingredients: tomatoes, capers, olives, olive oil and fresh herbs, and tossed them together to create a delicious summer side salad recipe. We’ve used heritage tomatoes for this recipe, because the mix of colours just looks gorgeous on a big platter. This dish is such a show-stopper, even though it’s so easy to make.
This side dish is ready in only 10 minutes.
All it takes is 10 minutes to throw this salad together. It’s so easy; using only 9 ingredients. You couldn’t get a more easy recipe! When considering what side dishes to make to go with a main course, we often look for ones that aren’t too complicated or time-consuming. The focus would be on the main course, so a quick but tasty dish like this is the perfect recipe. One way of making sure this salad is delicious as possible, is by not over-complicating things. The ingredients can sing when used in this way. The tomatoes do a lot of the work in this dish, so make sure you buy some really fresh, tasty, juicy ones. Once all the tomatoes have been sliced and arranged, sprinkle over the rocket, capers, olives, and herbs. Your dish is nearly complete.
Simplicity at its best.
As we really wanted the puttanesca inspired ingredients to shine, a simple dressing was what was needed for this dish. Olive oil, lemon juice and salt are added at the end, which brings all the flavours to life. Olive oil, salt and tomatoes are the dreamiest combination in our eyes. Those flavours immediately whisk us off to a sunny Mediterranean terrace with views of a turquoise blue sea. Pair this dish with a big bowl of pasta, or as part of a small plates style dinner, along with a glass of chilled white wine or rose.
This puttanesca side salad is quick and easy to make.
If you’d prefer, you can make this recipe in advance. Store it in the fridge so that it’s ready to be taken on summer picnics, BBQs, or dinners at friends’ and families’ houses. If you’re preparing a large dinner party, this recipe can be made up hours in advance, saving you time later in the day. We’d recommend adding the olive oil, lemon juice and salt closer to serving.
This puttanesca salad is:
- fresh & vibrant
- perfect for alfresco dining
- delicious as a summery side dish
- vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free
If you liked the sounds of this recipe, why not try:
- Roasted garlic, tomato & squash one-pot pasta
- Mexican salad with red cabbage, carrot & grapefruit
- Smashed potato salad with green beans & vegan feta
Simple Puttanesca Side Salad
Ingredients
For the salad
- 650 g heritage tomatoes sliced into rounds
- a small handful of rocket
- 55 g pitted kalamata olives sliced
- 55 g capers
- small leaves from 2 sprigs of basil
- 5 stems of fresh oregano
For the dressing
- drizzle of olive oil
- sprinkle of salt
- 1/2 lemon juiced
Method
- Assemble all the ingredients for the salad on a big serving platter.
- Drizzle over the olive oil, squeeze the lemon juice, then sprinkle with some salt and serve.