A super simple summer salad is a light and refreshing dish that’s perfect for warm weather. Here’s a basic recipe for a summer salad that you can customize with your favorite ingredients:
Ingredients:
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (e.g., lettuce, spinach, arugula)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing (or your favorite dressing)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Salad Greens:
- Wash and dry the mixed salad greens, then place them in a large salad bowl.
- Add Cherry Tomatoes:
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the salad bowl.
- Include Cucumber and Red Onion:
- Thinly slice the cucumber and red onion, and add them to the salad bowl.
- Optional Ingredients:
- If you like, you can include sliced black olives and crumbled feta cheese for added flavor and texture. Add them to the salad bowl as well.
- Season and Dress:
- Season the salad with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette dressing over the salad.
- Toss and Combine:
- Gently toss the salad ingredients together to ensure they are well combined and coated with the dressing.
- Garnish:
- If desired, garnish the summer salad with fresh basil leaves for a burst of flavor and color.
- Serve:
- Serve the super simple summer salad immediately as a refreshing side dish or a light meal on its own. Enjoy!
Feel free to customize this salad with your favorite ingredients. You can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for extra protein, or toss in some fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries for a sweet twist. Summer salads are versatile and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences and what’s in season.