Spring salad is a refreshing and delicious dish that celebrates the rebirth of nature with an explosion of colors and flavors. Perfect for warmer months, this salad combines seasonal ingredients that are not only fun to prepare but also light and delightful. Spring salad makes an excellent choice as both an appetizer and a light, healthy main course.
You can add spring fruits like sweet and juicy strawberries or slices of creamy avocado for a touch of sweetness and rich texture. Fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, and mint further enrich the dish’s flavor, giving it an irresistible freshness.
To add a crunchy and nutritious element, you can include toasted nuts, sunflower seeds, or sliced almonds. Fresh cheese like crumbled feta or mozzarella bocconcini adds a creamy note and extra freshness.
Spring salad is not only tasty but also versatile. It can be enriched with proteins like grilled chicken breast, sautéed shrimp, or hard-boiled eggs to turn it into a substantial one-dish meal.
Preparing a spring salad is simple and quick, ideal for those seeking a healthy meal without much effort in the kitchen. It’s also a perfect choice for packed lunches, outdoor picnics, or light dinners in the garden. With its vibrant colors and fresh flavors, spring salad is destined to become a staple in your kitchen during the spring season.
Furthermore, this salad is an excellent way to make the most of seasonal produce. The freshness and quality of the ingredients are crucial for achieving the best result, so it’s always advisable to choose organic and local vegetables and fruits.
Tips and Tricks
- Vegetables should be boiled for 5-6 minutes and no longer. This way, they will remain crispy and tasty.
- Only the tips of asparagus are used for the salad, as they are the most delicious part. Never discard the remaining part of asparagus. They can be sautéed in butter or used to make asparagus cream.
- Instead of lemon for the basic dressing, you can use orange or grapefruit. The important thing is to choose a citrus fruit that provides good acidity to the dish.
- There are no limits to the choice of ingredients when it comes to vegetables. Of course, salads should not be cooked.
- When cutting vegetables, always use a very sharp knife to prevent them from turning black.
How to store Spring Salad
To store spring salad properly, start by keeping the greens dry to prevent wilting. After washing the salad ingredients, use a salad spinner or paper towels to remove excess moisture. Store the salad in an airtight container lined with paper towels to absorb any remaining moisture. Place a paper towel on top of the greens before sealing the container to help maintain freshness. Store the container in the refrigerator crisper drawer for optimal temperature and humidity levels. It’s best to consume the spring salad within a few days for maximum freshness and flavor.
Spring Salad
Ingredients
- 100 gr asparagus tips
- 100 gr green broccoli
- 100 gr fresh peas
- 100 gr snow peas
- 100 gr bean sprouts
- 100 gr crème fraîche
- 100 gr red lentils
- 1 tsp tabasco sauce
- 6 leaf basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
Veggies Preparation
- Cut the broccoli into small florets.
- Cut the asparagus tips.
- Boil all the vegetables except the bean sprouts in salted boiling water for 5-6 minutes.
- Drain the vegetables well and cool them in very cold water.
- Cook the lentils for 8 minutes in salted boiling water.
- Dry and set aside the vegetables.
Dressing
- Roll 5-6 basil leaves. Finely chop the basil.
- In a bowl, put the crème fraîche.Squeeze the juice of one lemon.
- Add salt and pepper.Add 1 tbsp of Tabasco.
- Add the chopped basil.
Assembling
- Arrange the dressing as a base on a flat plate.
- Arrange the vegetables evenly.
- Add the red lentils.
- Season with oil, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Drizzle some dressing over the vegetables as desired.
- Enjoy!