Simple Tomato Salad Recipe: A Taste of Italian Sunshine

There’s an undeniable magic in Italian cooking – a philosophy that celebrates the inherent goodness of simple, high-quality ingredients. Our Tomato Salad Recipe embodies this perfectly. It's a vibrant, fresh dish that allows the natural sweetness of ripe tomatoes to truly shine, elevated by a few key elements, especially our exceptional Carluccio's Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

This salad isn't just easy to make; it's a testament to the joy of straightforward, delicious food. Perfect as a refreshing side dish for any meal, a light lunch on its own, or a colourful addition to a summer spread.

The Beauty of Simplicity: Key Italian Ingredients

As you can see from our ingredients, the beauty of this salad lies in its freshness:

• Ripe Tomatoes: We're using a mix of colourful cherry tomatoes (red and yellow for visual appeal and varied sweetness) and larger, ripe beef tomatoes. The combination offers different textures and depths of flavour. Choose the ripest, most fragrant tomatoes you can find – they are the star of the show!

• Fresh Basil Leaves: The quintessential Italian herb, basil adds a fragrant, peppery, and slightly sweet aroma that is the perfect partner to tomatoes.

• Fresh Pea Shoots (or a touch of rocket/microgreens): These optional delicate greens add a lovely crispness and a hint of fresh, slightly sweet flavour, as well as a beautiful visual appeal.

• Garlic Cloves: A subtle hint of fresh garlic, finely minced or sliced, adds a gentle warmth and aromatic depth without overpowering the tomatoes.

• Carluccio's Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This is where the magic truly happens. Our Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a cornerstone of Italian cooking, and for good reason. Sourced from the finest olives, it boasts a beautiful golden-green hue, a fruity aroma, and a smooth, slightly peppery finish. It's not just a cooking fat; it's a flavour enhancer, binding all the ingredients together with its rich, velvety texture and distinctive taste. For a simple salad like this, a really good quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil makes all the difference.

Tomato Salad Recipe

Serves: 2-4 Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (approx. 150g) mixed cherry tomatoes (red and yellow), halved

• 2-3 medium ripe beef tomatoes, cut into wedges or chunky pieces

• A generous handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly torn or left whole if small

• A small handful of fresh pea shoots (or substitute with a few rocket leaves or microgreens)

• 1-2 small cloves of garlic, very finely minced

• 3-4 tablespoons Carluccio's Extra Virgin Olive Oil

• Sea salt, to taste

• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Tomatoes: In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes and the cut beef tomato pieces.

2. Add Aromatics & Herbs: Sprinkle the finely minced garlic over the tomatoes. Add the torn fresh basil leaves and the pea shoots.

3. Dress Generously: Drizzle generously with Carluccio's Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Remember, this is a key flavour component, so don't be shy!

4. Season: Season with a good pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

5. Toss Gently: Using your hands or two spoons, gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is well combined and coated in the olive oil and seasoning. Be careful not to bruise the tomatoes.

6. Serve: Transfer the salad to a serving dish and serve immediately - it works brilliantly as the topping for some bruschetta too.

This tomato salad recipe is best enjoyed fresh, allowing the vibrant flavours to shine. It’s a true taste of summer, Italian style, and a testament to the fact that sometimes, the simplest dishes are the most profound.

Buon appetito!

For more summer inspiration, why not check out our Goats Cheese Salad Recipe?