Description
This Mediterranean salad is a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, creamy mozzarella, and a tangy homemade dressing. It’s a perfect side dish or light meal, showcasing the vibrant flavors of the season. Enjoy it as is or customize with your favorite additions!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper (red or yellow), diced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash all vegetables thoroughly under cold running water.
- Chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large salad bowl.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl.
- Peel (optional) and dice the cucumber, then toss it into the bowl.
- Remove seeds and stem from the bell pepper, chop into small pieces, and add to the mix.
- Thinly slice the red onion. If desired, soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor, then add to the bowl.
- Slice the black olives and toss them in with the other ingredients.
- Halve the mozzarella balls (or leave whole if small) and add to the bowl.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil over the top.
- In a small bowl or jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar.
- Add the dried oregano and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Whisk or shake until well combined.
- Gently toss the chopped vegetables in the large bowl.
- Drizzle half of the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or dressing as needed.
- For a final touch, sprinkle additional grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the salad by adding other ingredients like avocado, grilled chicken, or nuts for extra protein and flavor.
- This salad can be made ahead of time; just keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes