Italian Salad
A fresh, vibrant, and flavorful Italian Salad featuring a mix of crisp greens, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, red onion, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil, tossed in a zesty dressing of extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar. Perfect as a quick side, light lunch, or appetizer, this salad is easy to prepare, customizable, nutritious, and bursting with Italian flair.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed greens (romaine, arugula, radicchio), washed and chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella cheese (pearls or torn slices)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and thoroughly dry all fresh vegetables. Slice cherry tomatoes in halves, thinly slice the red onion, and rip or chop mixed greens into bite-size pieces to form the salad base.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently toss together the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, Kalamata olives, and mozzarella cheese to blend the textures and colors.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, a pinch of salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the dressing is emulsified and balanced in tanginess.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure even coating. Finish by sprinkling fresh basil leaves on top and serve immediately for the freshest flavor.
Notes
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
- Pat vegetables dry to avoid a watery salad.
- Keep ingredients chilled until ready to serve for a refreshing taste.
- Adjust red wine vinegar quantity to your taste preferences.
- Add mozzarella and basil just before serving to maintain freshness and vibrancy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Italian salad, fresh salad, healthy salad, gluten free, vegetarian, quick salad, easy salad recipe
Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/italian-salad/
