Are you tired of boring, bland salads that leave you unsatisfied? Get ready to experience Clare Kennedy's legendary Fresh Spinach Salad – a culinary masterpiece that transforms simple ingredients into a symphony of flavors and textures! This isn't just a salad; it's a vibrant, nutrient-packed adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and make you fall in love with healthy eating all over again.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh spinach leaves
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cucumber, sliced
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash the fresh spinach leaves under cold running water, ensuring all dirt and debris are removed. Gently pat dry using paper towels or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- Place the cleaned spinach leaves in a large salad bowl, creating a fresh green base for the salad.
- Slice cherry tomatoes in half, ensuring even and uniform size for balanced flavor distribution.
- Thinly slice red onion using a sharp knife, creating delicate, translucent rings that will provide a mild, sharp accent to the salad.
- Cut cucumber into thin, uniform slices to add crisp texture and refreshing element to the dish.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper to create a light, zesty dressing.
- Add halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, and cucumber slices to the spinach leaves.
- Sprinkle sunflower seeds over the salad for added crunch and nutty flavor.
- Drizzle the prepared olive oil and lemon juice dressing evenly over the salad.
- Gently toss all ingredients together, ensuring even coating of dressing and distribution of vegetables.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors and crispest textures.
Tips
- Freshness is Key: Always use the crispest, freshest spinach leaves you can find. Wash them thoroughly and dry completely to ensure maximum crunch and flavor.
- Slice with Precision: Take your time when cutting vegetables. Uniform, thin slices not only look professional but ensure every bite is perfectly balanced.
- Dressing Technique: Whisk your olive oil and lemon juice dressing vigorously to create a smooth, well-emulsified mixture that coats every leaf beautifully.
- Serve Immediately: This salad is best enjoyed right after preparation. The moments just after dressing are when the flavors are most vibrant and the textures most crisp.
- Customize Your Crunch: Feel free to experiment with different seeds or nuts. While sunflower seeds are delightful, toasted almonds or pumpkin seeds can add exciting variations.
- Temperature Matters: Serve the salad at room temperature for the most robust flavor profile, allowing each ingredient to shine.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 7g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
