Certainly! Here’s a recipe and process for making a delicious and refreshing summer salad:
Ingredients:
– 4 cups mixed salad greens (such as lettuce, spinach, arugula, or mixed baby greens)
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 cucumber, sliced
– 1 bell pepper (any color), sliced
– 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
– 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
– 1/4 cup toasted nuts or seeds (such as almonds, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds) (optional)
For the dressing:
– 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
– 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
– 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Prepare the vegetables:
– Wash all the vegetables thoroughly under cold running water.
– Pat them dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
– Slice the cherry tomatoes in half.
– Slice the cucumber into rounds.
– Slice the bell pepper into thin strips.
– Thinly slice the red onion.
2. Assemble the salad:
– In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, bell pepper strips, red onion slices, black olives (if using), and crumbled feta cheese (if using).
– Toss the salad gently to mix all the ingredients evenly.
3. Make the dressing:
– In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
4. Dress the salad:
– Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl.
– Toss the salad again to coat the vegetables evenly with the dressing. Ensure all the vegetables are lightly coated.
5. Add optional toppings:
– Sprinkle the toasted nuts or seeds over the salad for added crunch and flavor. You can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until lightly browned.
– Optionally, garnish with some extra crumbled feta cheese or fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil.
6. Serve:
– Serve the summer salad immediately as a side dish or light meal.
– If not served immediately, refrigerate the salad and dressing separately. Toss the salad with the dressing just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.
7. Enjoy:
– Enjoy your delicious and nutritious summer salad!
Feel free to customize this salad by adding or substituting other fresh vegetables or toppings according to your preferences and what’s in season. You can also adjust the dressing ingredients to suit your taste, adding more vinegar for acidity or honey for sweetness if desired.
