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Italian Salad

Italian Salad
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This Italian Salad is a fresh, flavorful, and quick-to-make dish that brings together crisp mixed greens, vibrant vegetables, and a tangy homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for a wholesome meal that’s simple, satisfying, and packed with bold Mediterranean flavors, it serves well as a lunch, side salad, or light dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

  • 2 cups mixed greens (romaine, arugula, radicchio)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cucumber, peeled and sliced into semi-thin rounds
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives
  • 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella balls
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Dressing Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove, minced finely
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the vegetables: Wash and dry all fresh produce carefully. Slice the cherry tomatoes in halves, thinly slice the red onion, peel, and slice the cucumber into semi-thin rounds. Tear the basil leaves to release their aroma and set aside.
  2. Assemble the salad base: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens with the sliced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and Kalamata olives. Toss gently to mix the flavors without bruising the leaves.
  3. Add the mozzarella and basil: Drop the fresh mozzarella balls over the veggies and sprinkle torn basil leaves on top to add a rich, herbal note typical of Italian salads.
  4. Whisk the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the dressing emulsifies into a smooth, tangy blend.
  5. Dress and toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly until every leaf and ingredient is lightly coated with the vibrant dressing.

Notes

  • Use fresh ingredients for the brightest and most flavorful salad.
  • Add dressing gradually to avoid soggy leaves and maintain crispness.
  • Adjust vinegar and mustard quantities to balance acidity according to taste.
  • Chill your salad bowl beforehand to help keep the salad crisp during mixing.
  • Allow the salad to rest for 5–10 minutes after dressing to let flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian salad, fresh salad, Mediterranean salad, quick salad, mozzarella salad, healthy salad

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/italian-salad/