Summer dining in Scotland calls for dishes that are as vibrant as the season itself, and this hearty main-course salad does not disappoint.
Taking inspiration from the French Niçoise, but featuring a Scottish larder of ingredients, this salad is a showcase of local produce and simple preparation – a celebration of both health and indulgence on one plate.
At the heart are baby new potatoes, which are gently boiled until tender. They are tossed together with crisp green beans, quick-blanched to retain their snap and colour. Fresh spinach leaves form the green bed, adding both texture and nutrition to the mix.
Hard-boiled eggs, sliced into quarters, lend the salad richness and a golden touch, while flaked tuna brings robust, savoury flavour. For those after a more distinctly Scottish note, hot-smoked Scottish salmon is an easy swap.
Cherry tomatoes – either fresh or lightly roasted – add sweet juiciness, while red onions offer a welcome touch of bite and crunch. There’s the briny pop of capers and green olives for savoury depth alongside a bright scattering of fresh parsley or dried herbs.
Completed with wedges of lemon ready for squeezing, the salad is finished with a drizzle of good quality olive oil, tying the ingredients together in a harmonious fashion.
This salad is a feast for all occasions: easy enough for a midweek meal yet impressive for entertaining guests on a sunny day. Serve it with a slice of crusty bread or traditional oatcakes – perfect for scooping up every last bite.
Ingredients:
- Baby new potatoes
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Fresh green beans
- Cherry or plum tomatoes
- Spinach leaves
- Flaked tuna (or hot-smoked Scottish salmon)
- Capers
- Green olives
- Red onion
- Lemon wedges
- Fresh parsley or dried herbs
- Olive oil (for drizzling)
- Crusty bread or oatcakes (for serving)
This is summer on a plate: fresh, nourishing, and deeply satisfying, just as a Scottish salad should be
Serve and Savour
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This salad’s inviting mix of flavour, colour, and nutrition makes it perfectly suited to both casual weekday dining and special occasions. Serve with chunky bread, oatcakes, or simply on its own – any way, it delivers a true taste of summer in every bite.
Whether you’re longing for the Riviera or embracing local Scottish produce, this vibrant dish guarantees freshness and sunshine on your plate – even on a cloudy day.
