Courgette Salad with Parmesan and Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette (TM5)
This fresh courgette salad with Parmesan and sun-dried tomato vinaigrette is a vibrant starter or side. Thin ribbons of courgette are dressed with a silky sherry vinegar and olive oil emulsion, then finished with toasted flaked almonds, torn basil and generous shavings of Parmesan. The Thermomix emulsifies the vinaigrette to a restaurant-stable consistency and chops the garlic in seconds.
About this recipe
Courgette Salad with Parmesan and Sun-Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Thermomix TM7 is the kind of fresh, Mediterranean-style recipe that turns a humble vegetable into an elegant starter. Searching for quick courgette recipes or healthy summer salads for your Thermomix TM7? This one delivers thin, tender courgette ribbons tossed in a vibrant dressing made from sun-dried tomatoes, sherry vinegar, garlic, basil and olive oil. The all-in-one kitchen machine emulsifies the vinaigrette into a stable, glossy consistency that clings to every ribbon instead of separating on the plate, while the Parmesan is grated to a fine, snow-like texture in seconds. Flaked almonds add a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft courgette. Serve it as a light lunch, a barbecue side or a dinner-party starter: it looks impressive yet comes together with minimal hands-on effort, making the TM7 genuinely earn its place on your worktop.
Preparation tips
- Use a vegetable peeler to draw long, even ribbons from the courgettes and stop when you reach the seedy core, as the soft centre releases water and dilutes the sun-dried tomato vinaigrette on the plate.
- Toast the flaked almonds in a dry pan until golden before scattering over the salad; their warm nuttiness contrasts with the cool courgette and makes the Parmesan taste noticeably richer.
- Dress the courgette ribbons only just before serving and keep the vinaigrette at room temperature, as cold olive oil solidifies and the emulsion loses its silky coating on the ribbons.
Recipe variations
- Make it fully plant-based by replacing the Parmesan with a similar quantity of nutritional yeast or vegan hard cheese; the sun-dried tomato vinaigrette, almonds and basil already carry plenty of savoury depth.
- For a heartier summer variation, add grilled chicken strips or white beans and serve the salad on a bed of quinoa, turning it into a complete light main course with the same Parmesan and vinaigrette flavours.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- The built-in scale weighs the olive oil and sherry vinegar directly into the mixing bowl, giving a balanced vinaigrette ratio every single time. [Time Savings]
- Emulsifying the sun-dried tomato vinaigrette in the TM7 creates a stable, glossy dressing that coats the courgette ribbons without splitting. [Multi-Function]
- Grating the Parmesan in the Thermomix takes seconds and produces fine, even shavings that melt gently over the fresh courgette salad. [Multi-Function]
- With precise chopping, the garlic clove and basil are minced uniformly in moments, releasing their flavour evenly throughout the dressing. [Precision Control]
- Weigh the flaked almonds straight into the bowl for toasting, then tip them over the salad for a crunchy finish without extra measuring cups. [Built-in Scale]
Ingredients
- courgettes
- Parmesan cheese
- flaked almonds
- sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- fine sea salt
- ground black pepper
- sherry vinegar
- olive oil
- garlic clove
- fresh basil leaves