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Mediterranean tomato salad

Olive and Tomato Salad

This vibrant Olive and Tomato Salad combines juicy tomatoes, savoury olives, crisp red onion, fresh parsley and zesty lemon with extra virgin olive oil. It is a refreshing, colourful and easy salad that makes a delicious side dish for any meal, especially in warm weather.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6 People
Calories 116 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife
  • 1 Chopping Board
  • 1 Large Serving Spoon
  • 1 Fine grater or zester
  • 1 Large sauté pan
  • 1 Serving Bowl or Platter -

Ingredients
  

  • 4½ fresh tomatoes - diced
  • 1⅛ cups chopped pitted olives
  • Zest and juice of 1½ lemons
  • 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ¾ medium red onion - thinly sliced
  • ⅜ cup fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley - chopped
  • ¾ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • Salt - optional
  • ¾ cup crumbled feta - optional
  • Baby spinach or lettuce - optional

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare The Tomatoes

  • Wash the tomatoes thoroughly and pat them dry.
  • Remove the cores.
  • Dice the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces.
  • Place them in a large mixing bowl.
  • Avoid cutting the tomatoes too small, as larger pieces retain their juicy texture better.

Step 2: Prepare The Olives

  • If your olives are not already pitted, remove the stones carefully.
  • Chop the olives into smaller pieces.
  • Add them to the bowl with the tomatoes.
  • Kalamata olives are particularly delicious here, although other varieties work well too.

Step 3: Slice The Red Onion

  • Peel the red onion.
  • Cut it in half from root to tip.
  • Slice it thinly.
  • Add the onion to the tomatoes and olives.
  • For a milder onion flavour, soak the sliced onion in cold water for 5–10 minutes, then drain thoroughly before adding it.

Step 4: Prepare The Lemon

  • Wash the lemons.
  • Finely grate the yellow outer skin to obtain the zest.
  • Cut the lemons in half.
  • Squeeze out the juice, removing any seeds.
  • Add the zest and juice to the bowl.

Step 5: Add The Fresh Herbs

  • Wash the parsley and dry it well.
  • Remove any tough stems.
  • Chop the leaves finely.
  • Add the parsley to the salad.

Step 6: Add The Olive Oil And Pepper

  • Pour the extra virgin olive oil over the ingredients.
  • Sprinkle in the black pepper.
  • Hold back on the salt initially.
  • Allow the lemon and olive oil to form the simple dressing for the Olive and Tomato Salad.

Step 7: Gently Toss

  • Use two large spoons to gently fold everything together.
  • Lift the ingredients from the bottom of the bowl rather than stirring aggressively.
  • Continue folding until the olive oil, lemon juice and seasonings coat the tomatoes evenly.
  • Taste carefully before adding salt.

Step 8: Rest Before Serving

  • Cover the bowl.
  • Refrigerate the salad for about 1–2 hours if serving it cold.
  • Allowing it to rest gives the tomatoes, olives, onion, lemon and herbs time to mingle.
  • Bring the salad out shortly before serving and give it another gentle fold.

Step 9: Prepare The Warm Version

  • Heat about 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a sauté pan over medium heat.
  • Add the sliced red onion.
  • Sauté for a few minutes until the onion begins to soften without becoming heavily browned.
  • Add the chopped olives and diced tomatoes.
  • Sauté for approximately 2 minutes, just until the ingredients are warmed through.
  • Remove the pan from the heat.
  • Toss in the remaining olive oil, lemon, parsley and black pepper.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • 🍅 Choose Ripe Tomatoes: Use firm, juicy, flavourful tomatoes for the best taste, colour and texture.
  • 🫒 Use Good-Quality Olives: Kalamata olives add a rich, savoury flavour, but you can use your favourite pitted olives.
  • 🍋 Fresh Lemon Matters: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest for a bright, refreshing dressing.
  • 🧂 Taste Before Adding Salt: Olives can be naturally salty, so taste the Olive and Tomato Salad before adding extra salt.
  • 🌿 Use Fresh Parsley: Fresh flat-leaf parsley gives the salad a vibrant colour and refreshing herbal flavour.
  • 🥄 Toss Gently: Fold the ingredients carefully to prevent the tomatoes from becoming crushed or watery.
  • ❄️ Let It Rest: Chill the salad for 1–2 hours before serving to allow the flavours to blend beautifully.
  • 🧀 Add Feta If Desired: Crumbled feta makes the salad creamier and turns it into a more substantial side dish.
  • 🥗 Serve Fresh: For the best texture, enjoy the salad within 1–2 days and keep leftovers refrigerated.
Keyword Olive and Tomato Salad