A salad featuring cucumber and greens is refreshing and versatile. You can use a variety of greens depending on what you have on hand, such as spinach, arugula, romaine, or mixed baby greens. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:
Cucumber and Greens Salad
Ingredients:
- 4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, baby kale, or romaine)
- 1 large cucumber, peeled (if desired) and sliced or diced
- 1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup olives (black or green), pitted and sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup nuts or seeds (such as almonds, sunflower seeds, or walnuts), toasted (optional)
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
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Prepare the Vegetables:
- Wash and dry the mixed greens. Place them in a large salad bowl.
- Peel (if desired) and slice or dice the cucumber. Add it to the bowl with the greens.
- Halve the cherry or grape tomatoes and add them to the bowl.
- Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the salad.
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Add Optional Ingredients:
- If using, sprinkle crumbled feta or goat cheese over the salad.
- Add the sliced olives and toasted nuts or seeds if desired.
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Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar (or lemon juice), Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and black pepper until well combined.
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Assemble and Toss:
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients.
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Serve:
- Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.
This salad is versatile, so feel free to customize it with your favorite ingredients or add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas for a heartier meal. Enjoy!
