Easy Summer Dinner Salad

$- Mixed greens - Cherry tomatoes - Cucumber - Bell pepper - Sweet corn - Avocado - Feta cheese - Red onion - Fresh herbs - Olive oil - Lemon juice - Salt and pepper The ingredients in this Easy Summer Dinner Salad offer a vibrant mix. First, you need mixed greens. This can be a blend of arugula, spinach, or romaine. Next, cherry tomatoes add color and sweetness. Dice a crisp cucumber to give a refreshing crunch. For a splash of flavor, include a sweet bell pepper. I recommend using red or yellow for the best taste. Add sweet corn for a bit of sweetness, and don't forget the creamy avocado for rich texture. Feta cheese brings tanginess to the dish. Slice red onion thinly for a zesty kick. Fresh herbs, like basil and cilantro, add bright notes. Finish with olive oil and lemon juice for a simple dressing. Don't forget salt and pepper to season nicely. - Caloric content per serving: About 250 calories - Breakdown of macros: 30g carbohydrates, 7g protein, 12g fats - Dietary considerations: This salad is vegetarian. You can make it vegan by omitting feta. It’s also gluten-free, making it suitable for many diets. This salad is not just tasty; it’s also healthy. Each serving packs a lot of nutrients. You can enjoy it guilt-free on hot summer days. For the full recipe, check out the details provided. - Start by washing and drying 4 cups of mixed greens. This step is key to remove dirt. Use cold water and a salad spinner for best results. - Place the clean greens in a large salad bowl. This creates a bright and lovely base. - Next, add 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes and 1 diced cucumber. These add color and crunch. Mix them gently with the greens. - Then, fold in 1 diced bell pepper and 1 cup of sweet corn. Stir carefully to keep the pieces intact. - Now, add 1 diced avocado and 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese. Use a soft hand to fold these in. This prevents mashing the avocado. - Finally, sprinkle 1/4 cup of thinly sliced red onion and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh herbs on top for added flavor. - In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. This mixture creates a bright dressing. - Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Taste as you go to ensure it’s just right. - Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss it lightly. This coats all the ingredients with flavor. For the full recipe, check out the Refreshing Summer Medley Salad. To make your salad burst with flavor, try adding fresh herbs like dill or mint. They give a nice twist to your dish. You can also sprinkle in some crushed red pepper for heat or add a pinch of cumin for depth. For salt, use sea salt or kosher salt. These types are great for enhancing taste. Freshly ground black pepper adds a nice kick, too. For a beautiful presentation, serve your salad in wide, shallow bowls. This allows the colors to shine. You can layer the greens at the bottom and add toppings in a rainbow pattern. Garnish with an extra lemon wedge and a sprig of fresh herbs. This adds color and a fresh aroma, making your salad even more inviting. Pair your salad with grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete meal. You can also serve it with crusty bread or a light soup for a balanced dinner. This salad is perfect for warm nights when you want something light yet filling. It’s fresh and healthy, making it a great choice for summer dining. For the full recipe, check out the details above. {{image_4}} You can change the greens in the salad for variety. Use kale or spring mix instead. For proteins, try grilled chicken or chickpeas. If you want a dairy-free option, swap feta cheese for a nut-based cheese. You can also skip the cheese entirely for a lighter meal. Summer brings fresh produce. Use ripe tomatoes or zucchini from your garden. In fall, add roasted squash or apples for a warm taste. Winter calls for hearty greens like Swiss chard or Brussels sprouts. These swaps keep the salad fresh and tasty all year. While the olive oil and lemon juice dressing is great, you can explore other flavors. A honey mustard dressing adds sweetness. For a creamy touch, mix yogurt with herbs. Vinaigrettes made with balsamic or red wine vinegar also work well. Each dressing can change the salad's vibe and taste. To keep your salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This will help keep it crisp. Always place a paper towel inside the container. This absorbs extra moisture and helps maintain the crunch. If you have leftover dressing, store it separately. This way, the salad won’t get soggy. I do not recommend freezing this salad. Freezing can change the texture of the greens and other ingredients. However, you can freeze some individual ingredients. For example, you can freeze sweet corn or even diced bell peppers. Just wash and dry them first. Place them in freezer bags and remove as much air as possible. This salad lasts about three days in the fridge. After that, the quality may decline. Look for signs that the salad is no longer good. If the greens look wilted or slimy, it's time to toss it. Also, any strange smells or colors mean it’s no longer safe to eat. Enjoy your salad fresh for the best taste! Yes, you can prepare this salad ahead of time. This makes it a great choice for busy days. To do this, wash and chop your veggies a few hours in advance. Store them in a sealed container in the fridge. Keep the dressing separate until you are ready to eat. This will keep your greens crisp and fresh. Add delicate items, like avocado and feta, just before serving. That way, they stay tasty and intact. To make your salad more filling, think about adding hearty ingredients. You can toss in cooked grains like quinoa or brown rice. These add great texture and nutrition. You can also add proteins like grilled chicken, chickpeas, or beans. These options will give you energy and keep you full longer. To keep your avocado fresh, use a few simple tricks. First, squeeze fresh lemon juice on the cut avocado. This helps slow down browning. You can also store the avocado with the pit in to keep it firm. Place it in an airtight container if you have leftovers. This will help maintain its color and taste. This blog post shared a simple and tasty salad recipe. We covered fresh ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and useful tips. You learned how to mix flavors and make your salad shine. Remember, you can easily adapt this recipe based on seasons or dietary needs. Storing leftovers properly can keep your meal fresh for longer. Use these ideas to enjoy your salad better and impress your family or friends. Simple ingredients can create a delightful dish for any occasion. Enjoy your salad experience!$

Beat the heat with this refreshing Summer Medley Salad! Packed with vibrant mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and creamy avocado, this salad is perfect for summer gatherings or a light lunch. Toss in some feta and fresh herbs for extra flavor, all drizzled with a zesty lemon dressing. Discover the full recipe and impress your guests with this easy, delicious dish. Click to explore and enjoy every bite!

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Ingredients

4 cups mixed greens (a delightful blend of arugula, spinach, and crunchy romaine)

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved for vibrant pops of color

1 crisp cucumber, diced into refreshing bite-sized pieces

1 sweet bell pepper (choose either red or yellow for a splash of color), diced

1 cup sweet corn (freshly cut or canned for convenience)

1 ripe avocado, diced for creamy richness

1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled for tangy flavor

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced for a zesty kick

1/4 cup fresh herbs (a mix of fragrant basil and cilantro), chopped finely

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil for a smooth finish

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice for brightness

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Instructions

Begin by thoroughly washing and drying your mixed greens to remove any dirt or grit. Place these vibrant greens in a large salad bowl to form a lovely base for your salad.

Gently add the halved cherry tomatoes and diced cucumber to the bowl, carefully mixing them with the greens to create a colorful array of ingredients.

Next, fold in the diced bell pepper and sweet corn, stirring everything gently to ensure an even distribution of flavors and colors.

Carefully add the diced avocado and crumbled feta cheese, folding them into the mixture with soft strokes to prevent mashing the delicate avocado.

Sprinkle the thinly sliced red onion and chopped fresh herbs over the top of the salad for added flavor and freshness.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground pepper until the dressing is nicely blended and smooth.

Just before serving, drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss everything lightly to ensure all ingredients are well-coated in the delicious dressing.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes | Servings: 4

- Presentation Tips: Serve the salad in wide, shallow bowls for an elegant look, and garnish each serving with an extra wedge of lemon and a sprig of fresh basil on top for a burst of color and aroma.