Refreshing Tomato Salad with Tuna, Olives, and Red Onions

Chunks of solid white tuna, fresh juicy ripe tomatoes, Spanish green olives and red onions in an extra virgin olive oil dressing, gives you a refreshing salad that is high in protein and high in antioxidants!

The key flavor in this tomato salad we believe is the Italian tuna which is marinated in olive oil, not water.  The olive oil is what gives this tuna-fish its rich full flavor. And, when it blends with the natural juices from the tomatoes, it creates this exceptional vinaigrette dressing all on its own!

We grew up eating this salad. Mom always makes it during Lent and during the hot summer months,  and especially when she is in the mood for a light lunch or a light dinner.

An exquisite tasty tomato salad with tuna, ripe tomatoes, olives and red onions can be served as a simple quick side dish.  Light enough to serve along side with a bowl of soup, or along side with a platter of gourmet cheeses and crackers. Either way, it's really delicious!  And, another idea to serve on meatless Fridays too!

We highly recommend to use tuna marinated in olive oil.  You could use tuna in water, but we can tell you that it changes the flavor and it's not as tasty.  You can find several brands of tuna-fish in olive oil in most supermarkets, even Bumble Bee now has tuna (also called "tonno") in olive oil. Enjoy!


Refreshing Tomato Salad with Tuna, Olives and Red Onions

• 2 medium or large tomatoes ("ripe on the vine")- sliced
• 1/2 cup Spanish green olives -rinsed
• 1 small red onion- sliced
• 1 can (5 ounce) tuna in olive oil - drained
• 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a salad bowl.  Taste for salt and pepper. Set aside in a cool place, allowing all flavors to marinade and infuse together for about 1/2 hour before serving. Then serve.

Serves 4 to 5