Sauce Vierge with a Twist

Ingredients

• 4 ripe tomatoes, diced (600g / 1.3 lbs) 4 ripe tomatoes, diced (600g / 1.3 lbs)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and chopped 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and chopped
• 1/4 cup (40g) pitted black olives, chopped 1/4 cup (40g) pitted black olives, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup (15g) fresh basil leaves, chopped 1/4 cup (15g) fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 150 kcal / 628 KJ
• Fat: 14g (Saturated Fat: 2g)
• Carbohydrates: 6g (Sugar: 3g)
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, olives, garlic, basil, and parsley.
2. 2.
   Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over the mixture.
3. 3.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. 4.
   Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined.
5. 5.
   Let the sauce sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. 6.
   Serve the sauce vierge alongside your favorite seafood, grilled vegetables, or use it as a dressing for salads.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Sun-dried tomatoes — If using sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, make sure to drain them well before chopping.
• Capers — Rinse the capers under cold water to remove excess saltiness before chopping.
• Olives — Choose your favorite variety of pitted black olives for this recipe.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
• This sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Experiment with different herbs like thyme or oregano to customize the flavors.

Serving advice

Serve the sauce vierge at room temperature to allow the flavors to shine. Drizzle it over grilled fish or roasted vegetables for a burst of freshness.

Presentation advice

Garnish the dish with a sprig of fresh basil or parsley to add a pop of color. Serve the sauce in a small bowl or drizzle it artistically on the plate for an elegant presentation.