Everyday Easy Green Salad works beautifully for any meal!
I was lucky to have grown up in a household where family dinners were the norm.
We ate a lot of pasta and meatballs, meatloaf, pork chops and cutlets. And because most nights I would help set the table, I recall delivering five slices of American bread, or an entire loaf of Italian 😉 , a crock of margarine, ice-filled glasses for soda, and Mom’s easy green salad to the table. Each item as staple to our meal as the very Corelle we dined on.
Iceberg lettuce, oil and vinegar, a shake of Italian seasonings, tomatoes, and cucumber when we had them – shaped our daily salad. No such thing as measuring utensils – it was a glug of canola, a shake of this, a zhuzh of that, and a capful or two of vinegar. The best!
I realized I have yet to share my easy green salad and thought that it might be time. Truthfully, a simple green salad to balance out all those sweet carbs that mysteriously show up on my plate these days seemed like a good idea.
Romaine is typically my lettuce of choice, although today’s offering is red leaf lettuce (all that was available, but very good!); my daughter Luc will reach for the arugula; and iceberg holds a special place in my heart. What I’m trying to say is that you can’t go wrong with your lettuce-of-choice.
With olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasonings and/or fresh garlic on hand – we’re always prepared to make a simple dressing. And we try never to be without a wedge of Parmigiano in the crisper.
INGREDIENTS FOR TODAY’S SALAD:
-
- Red leaf lettuce
- Cherry tomatoes
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Clove of garlic
- Parmigiano cheese
- Salt & pepper
HOW TO MAKE:
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar and minced garlic. Set aside.
- Clean and tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a salad bowl along with the tomatoes.
- Just before serving, pour the dressing on the lettuce and tomatoes. Mix well.
- Top with Parmigiano shavings, salt and pepper.
COOK’S NOTES:
- You can substitute the red leaf lettuce with romaine, arugula or iceberg.
- I’m a big fan of fresh garlic, so I used a very plump clove in the dressing, but feel free to use less or more <—–and if you do, you’re my hero!
- Minced garlic can be replaced with a pinch of garlic powder.
- You can substitute the balsamic vinegar with fresh lemon juice or red wine vinegar.
- This salad will happily welcome chick peas and red onion if you have them on hand.
- I recommend taking your time with the tearing of the leaves…it’s a rather therapeutic endeavor in a time when we just might need it.
This simple recipe is the perfect tossed salad for any time of the day or night!
BUON APPETITO!
MORE SALADS:
Crispy Wedge Salad with Greek Yogurt Creamy Blue & Maple Bacon
Quinoa and Brown Rice Salad with Pomegranate & Pignoli
Everyday Easy Green Salad
Description
Everyday Easy Green Salad works beautifully before or with your meal.
Ingredients
1 head red leaf lettuce
1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 clove of garlic, minced
Shavings of Parmigiano, to taste
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar and minced garlic. Set aside.
Clean and tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a salad bowl along with the tomatoes.
Just before serving, pour the dressing on the lettuce and tomatoes. Mix well.
Top with Parmigiano shavings, salt and pepper.
Always on the table, the humble salad and yet it’s not highlighted enough. This is perfect, Annie and I love that punchy balsamic dressing!
Yeah – that’s what I thought! It needs ‘a spot at the table’!!
Can’t beat a simple, delicious green salad Annie! Fresh and totally tasty. Pinned.
Nope – can’t beat it!! Thanks friend!
I also feel lucky to have grown up with family dinners, Annie! Often when I serve a meat-heavy meal like steak or ribs, I add a side salad. This easy green salad is perfectly fresh and delicious! The perfect side salad or even a main 🙂
Thanks, Katherine! It’s a keeper!
I always like to have some sort of green salad with my dinner, and this one is just my kind! Love the simple but fresh ingredients. And I have everything to make it, which always feels like a win these days. Hope you’re well Annie!
Thanks, Leanne! And who can resist a salad with parm shavings?!
I honestly could eat this salad every day if my life! I love that your family made meals a priority. I’m sure you’ve passed that along to your kids too. xo
We definitely have! It’s a sweet part of the day! xo
This is one gorgeous salad, Annie. I could literally eat it every day of my life!
It’s a good one to have around!! Thanks, pal!
Beautiful. I enjoyed your antipasto pasta salad as well. We always had family meals as well. My parents always fought, so it wasn’t exactly a pleasant time! Hope you’re good!
Hi Mimi, Thanks for stopping by with a kind word. As beautiful as family dinners can be, they can also at times be complicated. I hope you are keeping safe and well, my friend!
Simply perfect! We have a simple salad with almost every meal and balsamic vinaigrette is my favourite topping 🙂
Can’t beat it! Thanks, Jennifer!
What a beautiful salad, Annie – gorgeous ingredients and flavours that come together just superbly.
And I agree – always have to have the Parmigiano on hand 🙂
When there’s Parm in the crisper, all is good! Thanks, Alexandra!
Sounds like wonderful family meals growing up! This salad looks right up my alley – bright, fresh and tasty! Now I’m totally craving a bowl of it! Happy Monday, my friend 🙂 XOXO
They really were! Thanks my friend! Happy Monday! XO