Description
Lebanese Parsley Salad delivers a refreshing zest with crisp herbs and tangy dressing. Mediterranean ingredients combine for a light, bright side dish that will make you crave fresh flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (470 ml) parsley leaves (flat-leaf preferred), roughly chopped
- ½ cup (118 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup (59 ml) mint leaves, chopped (optional)
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup (59 ml) cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup (59 ml) feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) capers, drained (optional)
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) ground sumac (optional, for extra tang)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously wash and thoroughly dry all herbs and vegetables, ensuring pristine freshness and optimal texture.
- Herb Processing: Delicately chop parsley, mint, red onions, and capers into fine, uniform pieces that will distribute harmoniously throughout the salad’s composition.
- Vegetable Arrangement: Precisely quarter cherry tomatoes and dice cucumber into consistent, elegant bite-sized segments that provide visual intrigue and balanced flavor profiles.
- Dressing Creation: Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by vigorously whisking extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and ground spices until the mixture transforms into a smooth, integrated emulsion.
- Salad Assembly: Gently combine chopped herbs, vegetables, and capers, then delicately drizzle the prepared dressing, ensuring each ingredient is gracefully coated without becoming waterlogged.
- Finishing Touch: Optionally crown the salad with crumbled feta cheese, introducing a luxurious, creamy element that elevates the Mediterranean-inspired flavor landscape.
- Serving: Transfer the salad immediately to a serving platter, presenting a refreshing, aromatic culinary composition that celebrates fresh, vibrant ingredients.
Notes
- Maximize Herb Freshness: Select parsley and mint leaves at peak vibrancy, removing tough stems to ensure delicate, tender textures and maximum flavor intensity.
- Slice Onions Strategically: Use a sharp knife to create ultra-thin rings, soaking them briefly in cold water to reduce sharp bite and enhance their subtle, crisp profile.
- Dress Just Before Serving: Add vinaigrette moments before consumption to prevent herbs from wilting and maintain the salad’s bright, crunchy characteristics.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap feta with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or toasted nuts for vegan versions, ensuring the salad remains protein-rich and flavorful.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg