A refreshing rocket salad with Parmesan shavings, and juicy tomatoes coated in a sweet and tangy balsamic dressing.
Ready in just 10 minutes, this vibrant and zesty rocket salad (also known as arugula in the US) is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. With its numerous serving options, this salad is bound to become a go-to recipe.
The tangy balsamic dressing is a perfect match for grilled meats, making this salad a must-have for summer barbecues, but it also goes incredibly well with rich pasta dishes like Linguine Pesto Pasta, Cheesy Pasta and Lemon and Artichoke Pesto Pasta.
The post contains additional information and helpful tips to ensure the recipe turns out great the first time. Please use the link above to jump to the recipe card at the end if you are in a hurry!
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4 reasons why you'll love this recipe:
- Fresh and flavorful with peppery rocket/arugula, nutty Parmesan shavings, and sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes coated in a tangy balsamic dressing.
- Requires just 8 ingredients.
- Ready in 10 minutes.
- Super versatile with numerous serving options.
🛒 Key ingredients:
- Rocket/arugula: Use store-bought or home-grown. Store-bought rocket is often pre-washed, otherwise, ensure you wash and dry the rocket by patting it dry or using a salad spinner.
- Shaved Parmesan: Its tangy saltiness complements the sweet richness of the balsamic. Make sure you shave it instead of grating it, so it doesn't clump together and is evenly distributed. You can use a potato peeler if you don't have a cheese grater that is able to shave Parmesan.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Are sweet, juicy and easy to cut into bite-sized pieces.
Substitutions:
Note that the recipe has not been tested with all the substitutions and variations below, so the results cannot be guaranteed.
- Rocket: You can prepare the salad with spinach, watercress, or kale, but these greens lack the distinct peppery flavor of rocket.
- Parmesan: Substitute with pecorino, feta or goat's cheese.
- Cherry tomatoes: Swap for round or plum tomatoes or use sun-dried tomatoes.
- Balsamic dressing: Switch for store-bought balsamic glaze. It has a tasty punchy balsamic flavor and will save you time.
Variations:
Rocket salad is a versatile dish with lots of options to adapt it. You can switch the tomatoes/and or Parmesan for beetroot, pear or apple or add potatoes/sweet potato, grains (like farro, brown rice or quinoa) or chicken to enjoy the salad as a main.
🧑🍳 Recipe steps
*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions! *
Step 1: Prepare the dressing by whisking together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and mustard in a small jug or bowl.
Step 2: Assemble the salad by putting the rocket into a large bowl and putting the cherry tomatoes and Parmesan shavings on top. Reserve a few Parmesan shavings to place on top of the dressed salad.
Step 3: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together. Top with the reserved Parmesan shavings and serve.
🍽️ Serving suggestions
The fresh and tangy flavors in the salad go well with main dishes like Rare or Medium Ribeye Steak, Smoked Haddock and Leek Risotto, Creamy Wine Pasta Sauce or Pesto Lasagne.
Whether paired with pasta, rice, or meat, it creates a delightful combination. This versatile salad is an excellent choice for summer barbecues or as a year-round accompaniment to pasta dishes.
Expert Tips
- Shave the Parmesan instead of grating to ensure it's evenly distributed and doesn't clump together.
- Use balsamic glaze if you are pushed for time.
- Dress the salad when you serve it. The salad will go soggy if you leave it hanging around.
🙋 Recipe FAQs
The dressed rocket salad will go soggy if you leave it hanging around for too long. To make ahead, store the prepared salad ingredients and dressing separately and toss everything together when you come to serve.
Rocket, arugula, and roquette are different names for the same leafy green vegetable, known scientifically as Eruca sativa. This peppery and slightly bitter green is widely used in salads and sandwiches. Rocket is the common term used in the United Kingdom and Australia, while arugula is used in the United States and Canada, and Roquette is the French name.
Rocket has a distinct taste characterised by a peppery, slightly bitter, and nutty flavor that provides a sharp and tangy kick to dishes. The flavor can vary in intensity, but it generally offers a bold and distinctive taste to salads and sandwiches.
Rocket is considered a healthy leafy green. It is low in calories and rich in essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, as well as folate and calcium. It also contains antioxidants and beneficial compounds that contribute to its potential health benefits, such as supporting digestion and reducing inflammation.
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📖 Recipe
Rocket, Parmesan and Tomato Salad
Ingredients
Balsamic Dressing (Note 1)
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- ½ tbsp honey (Note 2)
- ½ tsp mustard
Salad ingredients
- 80 g (3 oz) rocket (Note 3)
- 20 g (4 tbsp) parmesan shavings (Note 4)
- 150 g (5 oz) cherry tomatoes (Note 5)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Mix the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and mustard in a small jug or bowl.
- Assemble the salad: Place the rocket (arugula) in a salad bowl. Add the cherry tomatoes and Parmesan shavings on top, reserving a few Parmesan shavings to sprinkle on top of the dressed salad before serving.
- Add the dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad, gently toss until evenly coated. (Note 6)
- Top with the reserved Parmesan shavings and serve.
Notes
- Dressing: you can swap the homemade dressing for store-bought balsamic glaze. It will give the salad a tasty and punchy balsamic flavor and save time.
- Honey: substitute with the same amount of sugar.
- Rocket: use store-bought or home-grown. Store-bought rocket is often pre-washed, otherwise, ensure you wash and dry the rocket by patting it dry with kitchen paper or using a salad spinner.
- Parmesan shavings: Shave it instead of grating it, so it doesn't clump together and is evenly distributed. You can use a potato peeler if you don't have a cheese grater that is able to shave Parmesan.
- Cherry tomatoes: You can also use round or plum tomatoes or use sun-dried tomatoes.
- Adding the dressing: Dress the salad when you are ready to serve it. The dressed salad will go soggy if you leave it hanging around.
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