Arugula and Olive Salad Recipe

A Tasty Salad Made With Bitter Greens

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about arugula in Walnut Vinaigrette Over Wilted Arugula, a tasty salad that requires sautéing. I want to tell you about a great salad recipe adapted from one of my favorite cookbooks, Jacques Pepin's Table, called Arugula and Olive Salad, served with a simple lemon dressing.

Arugula

Arugula, also known as rocket or roquette, is a leafy green vegetable prized for its distinctive peppery flavor and tender leaves. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family and is native to the Mediterranean region but is now cultivated and enjoyed worldwide.

Arugula leaves are elongated and deeply lobed, with a vibrant green color and delicate texture. Their bold, peppery taste sets them apart from other leafy greens, adding depth and complexity to salads, sandwiches, and various culinary dishes.

In addition to its peppery flavor, arugula is also prized for its nutritional benefits. It is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate, calcium, and potassium. Arugula is also a good source of antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Remember, arugula is an aromatic green salad with a bitter, peppery taste. You either love it or hate it. An excellent way to develop a taste for it is to add a little to your favorite salad greens, like red leaf lettuce.

If you want to learn "everything you need to know about arugula," check out my post.

Oil Cured Olives

Oil-cured olives are a type of olive that has been cured in oil, typically extra virgin olive oil, to create a rich, intensely flavored delicacy. This curing process involves soaking the olives in oil for an extended period, allowing them to absorb the oil flavors and develop a soft, velvety texture.

They are known for their bold and complex flavor profile, characterized by a deep, fruity taste with hints of bitterness and saltiness. The curing process enhances the natural flavors of the olives while imparting a rich and luxurious texture.

Oil-cured olives are typically made from fully ripened black olives, such as the Moroccan variety known as "Black Beldi" or "Beldi Noir." These olives are harvested when fully matured, which gives them their characteristic dark color and rich flavor. However, depending on regional preferences and availability, other types of ripe olives may also be used in the oil-curing process.

Homemade Croutons

This recipe calls for making homemade croutons that are easy to prepare and a lot tastier than any of the commercial brands out there without all the extra stuff they put in them and saying that not everyone has the time or desire to make croutons from scratch, so skip this step and use your favorite flavor store-bought brand.

If you decide to make your own, why not make a bunch for another meal? Stored in an airtight container, they will last up to a week, but you can freeze them for up to 6 months. I'm always looking for ways to make future meals just that much easier.

📖 Recipe