Description
Mediterranean-inspired Summer Medley Salad combines fresh garden produce with zesty herbs and tangy feta cheese. Crisp vegetables and aromatic ingredients dance together, creating a refreshing experience you’ll savor on warm afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- ½ pound (227 grams) red cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ pound (227 grams) yellow cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 avocados, diced
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 8 ounces (226 grams) small fresh mozzarella cheese balls
Supplemental Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup (53 grams) red onion, diced
Seasoning and Dressing:
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) basil pesto
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gather all fresh ingredients and a spacious mixing vessel to create a vibrant summer salad bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
- Dice ripe tomatoes into uniform, bite-sized cubes, ensuring each piece is approximately 1/2 inch (1.25 centimeters) in size for consistent texture.
- Slice creamy avocados into elegant wedges, removing the skin and pit with precision to maintain the delicate flesh’s integrity.
- Chop crisp cucumber into thin, translucent rounds, providing a refreshing crunch to the salad’s composition.
- Finely mince red onion to distribute subtle, sharp notes throughout the dish without overwhelming other ingredients.
- Gently introduce miniature mozzarella balls, distributing them evenly across the vegetable medley for delightful bursts of creamy texture.
- Drizzle high-quality basil pesto generously over the mixed ingredients, ensuring complete and thorough coverage.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice to add bright, citrusy undertones that will elevate the salad’s overall flavor profile.
- Delicately toss all components using a large spoon, ensuring each ingredient is beautifully coated and integrated.
- Sprinkle kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, adjusting seasoning for a perfectly balanced culinary experience.
- Optional: Add an extra dollop of basil pesto for those desiring an intensified herbal essence and richer taste.
Notes
- Chill ingredients before mixing to enhance the refreshing summer feel and keep everything crisp.
- Dice vegetables uniformly for a balanced bite and professional presentation.
- Select ripe, firm avocados to prevent mushy texture and maintain salad’s structural integrity.
- Use fresh mozzarella balls for optimal creamy and soft consistency.
- Adjust pesto and lemon juice amounts based on personal taste preference, starting with small quantities.
- Serve immediately after preparing to preserve the vibrant colors and fresh ingredients’ peak flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 395 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg