Thursday, June 27, 2013

Italian Style Fresh Tomato Salsa – One of the Best Topping I’ve found to Dress up Chicken or Fish

This is probably one of the best tomato/salsa toppings I’ve found to dress up simple chicken and fish dishes. The flavor of the tomatoes, onions, and kalamata olives seem like natural partners flavored with the balsamic vinegar, garlic, and capers.

I have used this salsa on fish and chicken numerous times lately with great success. Plum or roma tomatoes are reliable year-around, but as summer approaches, I will definitely use local home-grown tomatoes. It takes approximately ten minutes to put this salsa together and is so handy to whip up when you’re grilling outside and want a quick garnish for your chicken or steak. It’s also fabulous with pan sautéed fish.



Here it’s shown with grilled chicken. Crumbled feta cheese can be used as a garnish and a wonderful flavor enhancer.  I’ve used the cheese when I served the salsa with pan sautéed tilapia and we both loved it.

If you are looking for a way to dress up simple chicken and fish dishes, this is it. It doesn’t get any easier or quicker than this and it can be put together in a matter of minutes.



Italian Style Fresh Salsa - one of the best toppings I've found to dress up chicken or  fish
Adapted from Southern Living – makes 2 cups

4 plum tomatoes, chopped
½ small red onion, finely chopped
12 kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons drained capers
Kosher salt or grainy sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese, optional

Stir all the ingredients, except the feta cheese, together in a medium size bowl. Cover and chill if not using right away. When you’re ready to serve, bring the mixture to room temperature and add feta cheese if desired.




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This will be shared with Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farms, Foodie Friday at Simple Recipes, and Seasonal Sunday at the Tablescaper.

Have a great weekend everyone.

38 comments:

  1. A wonderful salsa! So fresh, colorful and delicious. A great combination of flavors.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. I love this. It touches every taste bud and it is pretty too.

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  3. This is the one I make:) From my daughter..not sure of the proportions I would have to check..but yes..and boy does fish love it!

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  4. My mouth is watering in anticipation of the vine ripened tomatoes that will appear later this summer. I can't wait to try this recipe, Sam. I know I will be eating it by the spoonful with a little bread. I can't imagine a single thing we put on the grill that this wouldn't be perfect with.

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  5. This looks wonderful and I love that it has feta cheese in it!

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  6. Wow Sam - this sounds amazingly good and your shots make me want to lick my screen. As a big fan of Feta, it will surely be added when we try the salsa.

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  7. Wow, this really looks and sounds delicious. I'm always looking for something new to do with chicken.

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  8. I want that salsa!! Looks wonderfully delicious and flavourful, Sam.

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  9. What a delicious looking (and sounding) way to dress up chicken and fish. I am holding out for homegrown tomatoes due in about two more weeks. We may just go on a tomato diet when they ripen.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  10. Dear Sam, Looks wonderful and healthy. Blessings dear. Catherine xo

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  11. I've been seeing this served in restaurants, Sam, and I am so glad to have a recipe for it. Thanks you!

    XO,

    Sheila

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  12. Hello Sam
    I love this make ahead dish. Nothing like fresh local grown tomatoes. Thanks for sharing

    Helen xx

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  13. It sounds so inviting Sam. I can't wait for sun-ripened tomatoes!

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  14. Easy and tasty salsa, Sam. Love the olives and capers. Would be super served as bruschetta too.

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  15. Another must try -- I already know I'll love it -- some of my favorite flavors.

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  16. This sounds just delightful .,....and full of flavors. A must try for sure.:)

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  17. Looks absolutely delicious, Sam. I love making this during the summer when we start picking our tomatoes.

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  18. Sam, this looks and sounds absolutely delicious and refreshing for a hot summer day.

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  19. This looks like a dish I'd gravitate towards on a restaurant menu. It's now a must try at home recipe! Thanks, Sam.

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  20. We love fresh salsa and this looks like a delicious different kind to try! Thanks for sharing! Found you at Rattlebridge Farms Foodie Friday!

    Julie@ Tastes of Lizzy T

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  21. For some reason the pictures didn't load in but I think the problem is on my end. My laptop is in use recovering data from someone else's failed hard drive so I'm using a little netbook.

    The recipe sounds sharp and good. I like the eye wincing power of capers and olives.

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  22. I think I could probably eat a whole bowl of this at one sitting. I sounds wonderful and so fresh!

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  23. Oh, I love the use of olives. I'm not a big olive fan, but they look perfect in this salsa. Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friday

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  24. Oh Sam! as ever and delicious recipe full of flavors!
    Mary x

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  25. this looks so beautiful, i am making something very similar called greek salad chicken. i like you additions of capers, and of course gorgeous pics makes the meal taste all that much better!

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  26. Mmmm but that looks good and it cannot get much easier. Hope all well with you Diane

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  27. I have a jar of capers in the pantry that have been begging to be used for something tasty. This is it, Sam!

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  28. looks lovely and fresh like all your recipes hugs

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  29. I love recipes like this for summer - they're so simple, and colorful and they take advantage of the season's best flavors. Frankly, I think this lovely salsa tops hours in the kitchen preparing an elaborate sauce.

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  30. Sam, this is a beautiful summer topping. Just beautiful.

    Velva

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  31. Delicious and healthy - two things that are on my list for the summer!!! Thank you Sam!!!

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  32. Wow, Sam, every one of your salsas are fabulous! It is true that with any one of your gorgeous, flavorful, fresh salsas, the rest of the meal is so easy! This would make fantastic bruschette, too.

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  33. Sam, the ingredients for your italian salsa are divine! And I love love love that you topped your chicken with it! YOu are right, what a flavor enhancer!
    YUMMY!

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  34. Your salsa looks delicious! Wonderful ingredients and looks so summery!

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  35. This looks fancy restaurant perfect. Great layers of flavor and gorgeous color!

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  36. I am imagining so many delicious ways to use this wonderful salsa! The list of ingredients sounds so good.

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  37. When I grew my own tomatoes I often made a similar salsa, and used it in so many different ways. There was always a big bowl of it in my refrigerator. It is a wonderful summer condiment to have on hand.

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