Craving a restaurant-quality salad that takes just 10 minutes to prepare? Get ready to transform simple ingredients into a mouthwatering Italian-inspired masterpiece that will make your friends think you've secretly trained in a Tuscan kitchen! This arugula salad isn't just a side dish—it's a flavor explosion that combines peppery greens, nutty pine nuts, and sharp Parmesan in a dance of culinary perfection.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- Arugula
- Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Pine nuts
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: fresh arugula, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, pine nuts, salt, and pepper.
- Rinse the arugula under cold water to remove any dirt or grit. Pat it dry gently with a paper towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the pine nuts for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent burning. Once they are golden and fragrant, remove them from the heat and set aside to cool.
- Using a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife, shave or grate the Parmesan cheese into thin slices or small shavings. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the arugula and toasted pine nuts. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice to taste, starting with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
- Season the salad with a pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Toss gently to combine all the ingredients, ensuring the arugula is well coated with the dressing.
- Once mixed, add the shaved Parmesan cheese to the salad. Toss lightly again to incorporate the cheese without breaking it up too much.
- Plate the salad into two serving bowls or plates. For an added touch, sprinkle a few extra pine nuts and Parmesan shavings on top of each serving.
- Serve immediately as a refreshing side dish or a light meal. Enjoy your Italian-inspired salad!
Tips
- • Always toast pine nuts slowly and watch them carefully—they can burn quickly! • Use freshly cracked black pepper for maximum flavor • Choose high-quality, extra virgin olive oil for the best taste • Serve immediately after preparing to maintain the salad's crisp texture • For a protein boost, add grilled chicken or shrimp • Experiment with different aged Parmesan varieties for unique flavor profiles • If pine nuts are expensive, you can substitute with toasted almonds or walnuts
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 4g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Cholesterol: 10mg
