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Easy Simple Salad Recipe for Fresh Crunchy Meals That Impress

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A quick, fresh, and crunchy salad recipe that is simple to make and perfect for any occasion. This salad combines crisp vegetables with a bright, tangy dressing for a satisfying and healthy meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 medium cucumber, sliced thin
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 large carrot, shredded
  • ¼ medium red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional extras:
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or basil, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ cup feta cheese crumbles

Instructions

  1. Wash and prep your vegetables: Rinse all produce under cold water. Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl. Slice cucumber thinly, peel if waxy. Halve cherry tomatoes, dice red bell pepper, shred carrot, and thinly slice red onion. Toss all veggies gently to mix evenly.
  2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Add salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  3. Toss the salad: Pour dressing over mixed vegetables. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all veggies evenly without sogginess.
  4. Add optional extras: Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs, toasted seeds, or feta cheese if using. Toast seeds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes until golden and fragrant for extra flavor.
  5. Serve immediately or chill: Enjoy fresh for maximum crunch or refrigerate up to 2 hours to let flavors meld. Toss again before serving.

Notes

Use romaine lettuce for best crunch; avoid delicate greens that wilt quickly. Toast seeds for extra flavor. Add dressing just before serving to prevent sogginess. Adjust sweetness of dressing with extra honey if too sharp. Salad is forgiving and flexible with ingredient swaps.

Nutrition

Keywords: easy salad, simple salad, fresh salad, crunchy salad, healthy salad, quick salad, vegetarian salad, gluten-free salad

Find it online: https://milacook.com/easy-simple-salad-recipe-for-fresh-crunchy-meals-that-impress/