Italian food is the perfect summer fare – after all, it was developed to be eaten in hot, sunny Mediterranean climes. So what better to serve on an English summer’s day than a variety of fresh, light Italian salads, drizzled with tangy olive oil and accompanied by crunchy Italian breadsticks and a flavoursome Italian cheese selection? Whether you’re planning the perfect picnic, hosting a dinner party or you’re simply planning your weekday summer menu, these elegant dishes are easy to prepare and bursting with flavour – and their key ingredients can be purchased conveniently in our Italian food hampers. So get tasting!
Italian Tricolore Salad
As fresh, bright and tasty as they come, this nutritious salad is deceptively simple with just three main ingredients: large ripe tomatoes, avocado pears and plenty of soft, creamy Mozzarella di Bufala. Dress with lashings of Italian olive oil (we recommend our basil infused olive oil, for extra zing), season generously with black pepper and tear over some fresh basil leave, and serve in the sunshine. Try substituting fresh tomatoes for sundried tomatoes, for a smoky richness.
Tomato & Green Bean Salad with Prosciutto
Salty slivers of cured prosciutto add miraculous depth to this fresh summer salad – and it’s not too complicated to make, either. Simply slice a handful of ripe tomatoes, scatter over some mixed cherry tomatoes, add some lightly cooked fresh green beans and season with sea salt. Meanwhile, crisp some prosciutto slices (prosciutto crudo is our absolute favourite) in the oven, and crunch up. Season with a light vinaigrette of garlic, balsamic vinegar, Italian olive oil and black pepper, combine the ingredients and serve on a platter with some rustic Italian breadsticks. Perfection!
Eggplant Pesto Pasta
If you’re looking for something more substantial to serve, this pasta salad is perfect, and it also keeps really well for leftovers. While many avoid cooking with pesto, finding it tricky to make and store-bought substitutes invariably disappoint, our freshly prepared Italian pesto takes the hassle out of this meal – leaving you with a nutritious and filling pasta salad.
To try it, simply coat your eggplants (also known as aubergines) with a light coating of Italian olive oil and a scattering of salt, then grill until golden brown. Prepare a large pot of your preferred pasta (we love the texture of penne in our Eggplant Pesto Pasta) and cook in salted water until firm. Drain the pasta, slice and then toss the grilled eggplants, several handfuls of halved cherry tomatoes and your Italian pesto, then garnish with torn basil leaves and freshly ground black pepper. Add a sprinkling of grated Grana Padano for extra flavour, and serve.
These fresh Italian salads make summer parties and picnics a doddle – they’re so tasty and easy to prepare, and the leftovers make great healthy lunchbox meals. So try them out for an easy midweek meal, a full on party buffet or a nutritious dinner party menu – your guests will never believe you cooked everything yourself.