Are you ready to elevate your salad experience with a burst of French-inspired freshness? The Salade de Légumes Gilles is not just a salad; it's a vibrant celebration of crisp vegetables, bold flavors, and effortless elegance. Imagine a colorful medley of garden-fresh ingredients dancing together in a light, tangy vinaigrette that will transport your taste buds straight to the sunny countryside of France. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch, a stunning side dish, or a healthy meal that doesn't compromise on taste, this recipe is about to become your new culinary obsession!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash all fresh vegetables thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris.
- Prepare the salad greens by gently patting them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, ensuring they are evenly cut and uniform in size.
- Dice the cucumber into small, consistent cubes approximately 1/4 inch in size.
- Chop the bell pepper into similar-sized dices as the cucumber, removing seeds and membrane beforehand.
- Slice the black olives into thin rings, discarding any stems or tough parts.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed salad greens as a base layer.
- Gently add the diced cucumber, bell pepper, and halved cherry tomatoes over the greens.
- Sprinkle the sliced black olives evenly across the salad.
- In a small separate bowl, whisk together olive oil and red wine vinegar to create a simple vinaigrette.
- Season the vinaigrette with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Drizzle the prepared vinaigrette over the salad just before serving.
- Toss the salad gently to ensure all ingredients are lightly coated with the dressing.
- Serve immediately at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Tips
- Choose the freshest vegetables possible - the quality of your ingredients will make or break this simple salad.
- Pat your salad greens completely dry to ensure the dressing clings perfectly and doesn't become watery.
- Cut vegetables into uniform sizes for a professional presentation and consistent texture.
- Prepare the vinaigrette just before serving to maintain its bright, fresh flavor.
- For an extra gourmet touch, consider using a high-quality extra virgin olive oil and aged red wine vinegar.
- Serve the salad immediately after dressing to preserve the crispness of the vegetables.
- Feel free to add protein like grilled chicken or feta cheese to make it a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 85kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 6g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg