Salads with a lot of different components can work well, but those with few ingredients can be just as good. This tomato and anchovy salad really just has two key ingredients but tastes amazing. Plum tomatoes cut in half and anchovies. These are two very different foods that work so well together. Anchovies pack so much punch for such a tiny fish. For years I had only come across them atop pizzas, as my dad liked to order them on his half. If one crossed over onto my side of the pizza I was very upset as I thought they were far too salty and tainted the taste of anything else. In my early twenties I gave them another shot and did a complete 180 on them. I soon opted to add them into my Caesar salads and a few other meals when out and about at restaurants. Bringing them into my own dishes has been a fun adventure too, and since I usually keep salt and sodium amounts down in my diet I don’t at all mind eating anchovies every now and then.
While over in Italy we had fresh anchovies from the Mediterranean Sea on our pizzas and other meals and there is really nothing like it. These were much milder than the cured anchovies I grew up with After some more research I found that there are many different species of anchovies from waters all of the world, including the Indian Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific and Black Sea. I have tried out a few Greek recipes that integrate anchovies with other flavors such as capers and lentils, I will soon share some of those recipes too.
How To Buy The Best Anchovy Fillets
As far as buying anchovies, you’ll most often see those packed in oil. There are other varieties though that may have higher quality as you don’t always know the quality of the oil. There are salt-packed anchovies of which many are premium and come directly from Italy. Keep in mind that these often need to be filleted and spines discarded. There are also jarred anchovies, usually marinated in vinegar. Check your local seafood resource for their variations, and if you’re lucky enough to be near a bigger city like New York you’ll have many delicious options to try.
Easy Tomato and Anchovy Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups plum tomatoes cut into wedges and slices
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 12 small white anchovy fillets
- 6 leaves small basil
- 1/4 cup fresh sliced green beans
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, chopped garlic and vinegar
- Toss the tomatoes, basil leaves, green beans and anchovy fillets
- Add all components to a salad bowl. Serve and enjoy.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
Tomato soup is one of my favorites. I love that you added anchovies to yours. Yum.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
SALAD!! Oh my god, silly auto-correct. Sorry.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
That sounds delicious. I can just imagine that salty flavor of anchovies mixed with the bite of a really good tomato. Yum!
Jeanette
These pictures make this looks good. I am not fish person so I am not sure about this one for me, but the rest of my family loves fish so I will have to try this out for them.
beautifullytravelled
I love your Blog! Love the name! Love the look! Love the Recipes! I do like a me some fish. Looks delicious Thank you for sharing x Kat I http://www.beautifullytravelled.com
Savannah Miller
I will have to try this. It looks kind of yummy, I am not big on anchovy at all!!
Annemarie LeBlanc
I know I could make some people cringe, but I love anchovies like I love breathing. I love it on pizza, on salads, and with my pasta. I will have to try your salad recipe. Yum. Can’t wait to make it!
tara pittman
This would be like a pizza taste. Sounds yummy.
Mom Does It All (@misteedawnw)
I don’t really like anchovies, but this looks really good! I will have to try it!
mickyspage
Not really crazy about tomato, but I have a friend who would really enjoy this.
Tina
My late husband would have LOVED this salad!! And it looks really yummy!
michelle
i love tomatoes but i don’t know about the anchovy part 🙂
Jennifer Van Huss
I love tomatoes and would probably eat the salad, if I didn’t hear the word Anchovy! Very pretty display!
angie
love all the great colors in the salad. The tomatoes would be terrific but not sure about the anchovies
Elizabeth O.
I’m not a huge fan of anchovies but it really adds a lot of flavor to any dish. I bet this salad tastes awesome!
Nancy (@spiffykerms)
Oh my gosh your photos are gorgeous here. Although I’m not entirely sure I’ve ever had anchovies before – I’m pretty sure I’d eat it right up, just looking at these photos. So appetizing.
Ana De Jesus
The saltiness of the anchovies must really bring out the juiciness of the tomatoes. It sounds great.
Emma Spellman
I have never tried anchovies, but this looks pretty good, so I will try it soon.
R U S S
I like tomatoes but am not a huge fan of anchovies. I do eat them though but can’t eat a lot. For this salad, I’m thinking of adding Kesong Puti ( local cheese here in PH ) …. it’ll complement the anchovies.
Erin (@SugarCrumbs)
I cant eat anchovies but I know someone that loves them! I’ll have to send this to them!
Heidi Spears-Gray
I love how colorful this dish is! I love when food tastes as good as it looks!
Claudette Esterine
I must admit that anchovy is not for me but the salad looks really good!
Ourfamilyworld
I love anchovies and that salad looks so good! I’m going to try this.
Wood Arts Universe
I love the tomatoes! The salad looks delicious and easy to make too. I must try this soon. Thanks for sharing it to us!
Megan Elford
It all looks so fresh and full of flavour! I love the idea of adding fresh, delicious dishes to our usual winter-type comfort foods. This salad looks light and refreshing!
Chubskulit Rose
hat’s my kind of viand for a plate of rice lol. That looks delicious!
Lynndee
Now that’s mouth-watering! I LOVE tomatoes, but I’ve never had anchovies yet. I can’t wait to try your recipe.
Crystal McWhirter-Lopez
I love salads! I love the idea of the tomatoes in this one but I am not a big fan of anchovies. It really looks amazing though so I might have to conquer some fear and give it a try!
Liz Mays
I can see how that pairing works really beautifully. I’ll have to make it for the kids.
Ann BAcciaglia
What a beautiful dish. I have never tried anchovies before. I think it is time that I try something new.
artadorned
Yum!!! I love tomatoes! This recipe sounds like it was made for me!
Shaylee Field
I’m not a a big tomato fan but I think this would be really good!
LifeAsAConvert
I’ve never really had tomato salad before. This looks lovely though.
lisa @bitesforbabies
I’m not a huge fan of anchovies however, they make a great addition to dishes! This sounds delicious actually..I can see how they cut through the sweetness of the tomatoes!
MyTeenGuide
I love tomatoes and this salad looks really good. I’m sure the anchovies added a lot of flavor.
Stephanie Pass
I’m not a fan of anchovies, but it looks beautiful. I just love balsamic vinaigrette.
Eileen xo
I used to leave anchovies out, started experimenting a few years ago and love them. What a wonderful recipe. looks so delicious. I will be making this one.
msculit or Ria C
I/m not much of an anchovy eater but I sometimes eat it with some meals. But this preparation of yours look very delectable. 🙂
LifeAsAConvert
I pinned this for later. I must try it. It looks so good.
Yona Williams
Anchovies are not my thing, but my Dad really likes them. He is the only person I know that orders them on his pizza. He’d like this dish.
Up Run for Life
I don’t like anchovies either. The tomatoes look so good. 🙂
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
I live in NYC but I do not eat anchovies.
Maggie
I’ve never had anchovies. I may get brave enough to try them sometime. Especially if they were already paired with a food that I love.
Shannon Peterson
I’ve never tried anchovies before, but I would definitely try this!