Description
Light Mediterranean parsley salad dances with zesty lemon and crisp herbs, creating a refreshing culinary experience. Packed with clean flavors and simple ingredients, these greens will elevate your plate and delight your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (470 ml) fresh parsley leaves (flat-leaf preferred), roughly chopped
- ½ cup (118 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup (59 ml) fresh mint leaves, chopped (optional)
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup (59 ml) cucumber, diced
Cheese and Extras:
- ¼ cup (59 ml) crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) capers, drained (optional)
Dressing Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) salt
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) ground sumac (optional, for extra tang)
Instructions
- Gather fresh, vibrant herbs and crisp vegetables from your kitchen counter, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly washed and patted dry with clean kitchen towels.
- Finely chop parsley and mint leaves, creating a delicate, feathery texture that will provide a bright, aromatic base for the salad.
- Slice red onions into translucent, paper-thin rings to prevent overpowering the delicate herb mixture while adding a gentle, zesty crunch.
- Quarter cherry tomatoes and dice cucumber into uniform, bite-sized pieces to create visual appeal and ensure balanced flavor distribution.
- Add briny capers to introduce a tangy, robust undertone that complements the fresh herb profile.
- Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and ground spices in a small mixing vessel, creating a harmonious, emulsified dressing.
- Gently fold the prepared dressing into the herb and vegetable mixture, ensuring each ingredient is lightly coated without becoming soggy.
- Optional: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese atop the salad for a creamy, salty dimension that elevates the overall taste experience.
- Transfer to a serving platter immediately and enjoy the vibrant, refreshing medley of Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Notes
- Experiment with herb ratios by adjusting the parsley-to-mint proportion to suit your taste preferences, creating a personalized flavor profile.
- Enhance the salad’s crunch by ensuring vegetables are freshly chopped and crisp, which adds textural contrast and maintains maximum nutritional value.
- Substitute feta with nutritional yeast or vegan cheese alternatives to make the dish completely plant-based and accommodate dairy-free diets.
- Consider marinating red onions in lemon juice for 5-10 minutes before adding to the salad to soften their sharp bite and mellow their intense flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg