This salad is one of our favorites. It’s a traditional Mediterranean dish of which Markipedia learned from a Trinity College professor in Rome in… ahem… 1974. Not that he’s old, mind you. The guy is young at heart, and old in wisdom.
His art history professor said it was something so simple a farmer could throw it together while working in the fields or groves. This suggests its versatility for the dining room table or a picnic.
In this version, I used blood oranges, which are seasonal. It is equally good with regular oranges. I used kalamata olives but oil-cured Moroccan olives are quite amazing with this, too. The goal is a gorgeous color contrast, and mix of sweet, tart, salt, and fat. (Sounds like a preview for Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat!)
The most important thing, to me, is using the absolute best and most flavorful olive oil to finish the salad. I can’t imagine what this would taste like with a mediocre oil.
The recipe? It’s barely a recipe. There are no specific amounts — just ingredients you assemble to your preferred proportions. If that completely frightens you, I will give some suggestions below.
~ David
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Fran@Gday Souffle
December 12, 2020 at 7:53 am1974? Why Mark is still a ‘baby’! Who would have thought that olives and oranges would go together- but this sounds amazing! (I wish I could get my hands on that colorful plate you photographed the olives on)! Happy holidays!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 8:56 amYes friend, he said big baby on Medicare! 🤣🤣 I really think he will enjoy the salad. The combination is quite wonderful!
Gerlinde
December 12, 2020 at 8:32 amI am always looking for simple salads like this one. It looks so good. Stay healthy and well !
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 8:57 amThe salad is so nice because the citrus in it is so nice and light after a meal. Stay well and happy yourself, Gerlinde!
John / Kitchen Riffs
December 12, 2020 at 10:17 amI remember 1974! I was teaching English as a foreign language in Morocco at the time. And it’s in Morocco where I first encountered this salad. The combo of oranges and olives is amazing, isn’t it? I often add a touch of cayenne pepper as a garnish when I make this. Radishes are nice with it too. Anyway, fun post — thanks.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 8:57 amI like the addition of cayenne pepper and radishes, John! I will definitely try that. I love learning that you taught English in Morocco… What city were you in?
John / Kitchen Riffs
December 19, 2020 at 10:53 pmFez, mainly. Also spend a little bit of time in Meknes and Tangiers. Haven’t been back — was supposed to have visited Tangiers on a cruise last months, but, well, Covid. 🙁
Cocoa & Lavender
December 20, 2020 at 6:09 amFez was my favorite city of those I visited. Quit a magical place. I haven’t been back since, either, but we do plan to get there someday… Sorry about your cruise… and, of course, Covid… Soon we will be able to get back out there.
Frank
December 12, 2020 at 10:30 amOne of our go to winter salads! I like them with regular oranges, too, but blood oranges make it extra special. And no pretty, too. We often garnish it with red onion or fennel. And you’re so right about the oil, it really makes the dish.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 8:58 amI love how we both posted this almost simultaneously, Frank. Yours had the addition of fennel, which we also do on occasion. But the olives and the olive oil really make a big difference here.
Eha Carr
December 12, 2020 at 5:56 pm*smile* Place: Florence. Time: definitely before 1974 ! My first time back in Italy . . . my husband and I had been on a bus trip making friends with a US gal there for the ‘n’th time buying chandeliers for her company. Alone. We invited her to dinner – yes, but could she choose the menu ? Uh ? OK ! Guess we had somewhat the bigger expense account thus we all loved the promise of the place. . We were somewhat taken aback . . . no menu asked . . . plain scampi, pasta alio e olio, blood oranges peeled by the head waiter sans any additions . . . perfect ingredients presented as they were . . . I learned a huge amount about food that night . . . just love your plate . . . oh yes, have a local friend producing olive oil . . . .
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 8:59 amFabulous memory! Serendipitous moments like that are really the best in life.
Gloria Roa Baker
December 12, 2020 at 8:45 pmDavid I love oranges and I think looks really delicious !!!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 8:59 amIt is a lovely combination, Gloria. I think you’ll like it!
Ron
December 12, 2020 at 11:21 pmDavid, I remember enjoying this salad at a wonderfully authentic Italian restaurant in Essens, Germany many years ago. But, I don’t believe I’ve had it since. All of the ingredients are in-house, so I see this on the dinner table tonight. Thanks for the inspiration…
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:00 amI have to say, Ron, and I’m surprised that the salad was served in Germany. It just shows that it has universal appeal!
John
December 13, 2020 at 1:41 amI’d never have imagined pairing oranges and olived. Never! However, thinking about their flavour profiles, they would actually work. And yes, a good evoo would be a must. Now I’m waiting for blood oranges to come back in season!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:00 amDo you have a bit of a wait for blood oranges, John, but it will work with regular oranges which are usually available around…
Chef Mimi
December 13, 2020 at 6:49 amLove this. When I really want a good oil to stand out, I use a Kalamata olive oil, which I always have on hand. That might be redundant in this salad, but I so love that Kalamata flavor!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:01 amWouldn’t be redundant at all in the salad, Mimi. Kalamata olive oil is really fantastic! It makes me wonder how many different olive oil‘s I have in my cabinet… You?
Kirsten Honeyman
December 13, 2020 at 8:24 amCan’t wait to try this! We have a Cara Cara orange tree in our garden which is currently loaded with fruit! Thanks for what looks to be a great recipe.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:01 amThis would be incredibly special with Cara Cara oranges, Kirsten! I love you are to have one growing in your garden…
Karen (Back Road Journal)
December 13, 2020 at 3:20 pmI’ve made orange and olive salad and can agree it is a terrific taste combination.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:02 amI imagine you seen the salad quite often in your travels, Karen. Glad you like it!
Aarthi
December 13, 2020 at 6:29 pmThis looks like a simple and delicious sides for the holidays! The trio combination is interesting, never though of adding olives and orange together, I would try this, thanks for sharing it, David! Happy Holidays to you!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:02 amAarthi – It does make such a pretty for the holiday! Or any day.
Carol
December 13, 2020 at 6:41 pmThat looks so easy and so delicious. Guess I will make this. Thanks David and Mark.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:03 amI would love to know if you try this, Carol. We both love it!
sherry
December 14, 2020 at 4:10 amoh yes this is an old favourite! yep gotta have a great olive oil.
cheers
sherry
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:03 amDo you remember days when we couldn’t get good olive oil, Sherry? Seems impossible that there was such a day…
Rahul @samosastreet
December 14, 2020 at 6:10 pmNever tried orange and olives together. The brightness of the orange and olives would be a perfect side for any meat
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:03 amIt really does complement so many things, Rahul. I hope you will try it!
sippitysup
December 15, 2020 at 11:36 amHow can you go wrong with such beautiful ingredients? Happy holidays. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:04 amYou can’t, Greg. That’s the beauty of the such ingredients…
Raymund
December 15, 2020 at 7:37 pmI love the simplicity of this. I bet it would be perfect side with something like grilled fish!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:04 amAbsolutely, Raymund! Perfect for fish and seafood!
2pots2cook
December 16, 2020 at 12:55 amAs usual, simple is the best. Luckily, I have a bottle of home made olive oil so it will make it irresistible ! Thank you so much !
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:05 amLucky you, Davorka! I would love to taste your oil someday!
Jeff the Chef
December 17, 2020 at 9:02 amWhat a great combination! I’ll bet this salad is fantastic. I can see why it’s one of your favorites.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:06 amThanks, Jeff… I love to serve this any time of year.
Kelly | Foodtasia
December 17, 2020 at 10:07 amWhat a lovely salad and wonderful flavors, David! Love the salty-sweet combo. The fruity olive oil ties the flavors together perfectly. Can’t wait to try this!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 9:07 amHave you come across anything like this in your travels, Kelly?
Christina Conte
December 19, 2020 at 12:01 pmThree ingredients, but three REAL ingredients! Simple is best. I hate it when bloggers share recipes claiming, “only three ingredients!” but each of them has a laundry list of (chemical laden) ingredients the length of my arm! So in the end, three ingredients is actually 47! Ugh.
Love that citrus season is here, and just waiting to pick my first oranges, lemons and mandarins! Yeah!!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 19, 2020 at 12:14 pmI know what you mean, Cristina! The number of chemicals people put into their bodies these days is criminal. We love citrus season two, and we are waiting for neighbors who have lemons, tangelos, tangerines, grapefruit, and limes to start sharing… our lime tree finished producing two months ago… It had a weird year (just like everything else).
Susan Manfull
December 20, 2020 at 1:38 pmWe just made this salad — with regular oranges — and it was delicious!!!
David Scott Allen
December 21, 2020 at 9:51 amI’m so glad you liked this — and I loved your comments on Instagram! I’m honored that you trust me so!
Priya
December 21, 2020 at 11:37 amThis is such an easy recipe. Thanks for sharing. I love traditional recipes, they are easy to follow and tasty too.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 22, 2020 at 8:30 amIt is a very simple recipe, Priya, and when we make quite often when oranges are in season. I think you’ll really like it.
Pauline
December 21, 2020 at 1:57 pmWhat a wonderful combination of flavours, I have never had this salad, it looks delicious and so fresh for either summer or winter. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks so much.
Cocoa & Lavender
December 22, 2020 at 8:31 amYes, Pauline, even though oranges aren’t in season for our summer, we have it quite often as it is very refreshing. But summer or winter? It’s good anytime.
Valentina
December 21, 2020 at 3:25 pmLove the simple beauty of this dish. I’ll be serving it on Christmas eve for our tiny outdoor dinner with my dad. 🙂 ~Valentina
Cocoa & Lavender
December 22, 2020 at 8:31 amIt’s such a nice festive dish for Christmas, Valentina. I hope you enjoy it, and your small and loving celebration. Have a great holiday!
Andrea l The Kitchen Lioness
December 28, 2020 at 10:35 amLove those non-recipes recipes – blood oranges started to make an appearance at the market just before Christmas, they are always such a delight. Simply love their taste and depth of flavor and, of course, their beautiful color.
This is a great, seasonal fresh tasting salad that works only with the best ingredients that you can find (as you so aptly pointed out). And your pretty plate and presentation makes this dish a treat for the eyes too – beautifully presented, my friend!
Cocoa & Lavender
January 2, 2021 at 8:56 amYou describe the blood oranges perfectly, Andrea — it’s the depth of their flavor that sets them aside!
Marcelle
February 28, 2021 at 7:45 amHey David, wow this salad is so simple, but it’s jam-packed with amazing flavors! I doubt I ever would have put oranges with olives on my own, but now I can’t wait to taste how they work with each. I have everything for this here at home today! Beautiful pictures, as always!!
Cocoa & Lavender
March 11, 2021 at 2:21 pmI love unusual combinations of flavors like this. Well… unusual for those of us in the US! Probably normal for the mediterranean!