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Fresh Summer Salad with Creamy Feta and Pine Nuts

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A light, satisfying summer salad featuring creamy feta cheese, crunchy toasted pine nuts, and fresh mixed greens, perfect for a quick and healthy lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups mixed salad greens (baby spinach, arugula, butter lettuce) (about 150g / 5.3 oz)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (about 150g / 5.3 oz)
  • 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
  • ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 5 ounces creamy feta cheese, crumbled (about 140g)
  • ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted (about 30g)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (45 ml)
  • Fresh lemon juice from 1 large lemon (about 2 tablespoons / 30 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (5 ml) (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly for 5-7 minutes until golden and fragrant. Remove immediately and set aside to cool.
  2. Rinse and dry the mixed greens thoroughly. Halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the cucumber and red onion (if using).
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey or maple syrup (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. In a large salad bowl, combine the greens, tomatoes, cucumber, and onion. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  5. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the salad, then scatter the toasted pine nuts on top. Toss gently once more, being careful not to break up the feta too much.
  6. Serve immediately for best texture and freshness. If preparing ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving.

Notes

Always toast pine nuts to bring out their buttery flavor and avoid bitterness. Dry greens well to prevent sogginess. Use room temperature feta for creamier texture. Assemble and dress salad just before serving to keep ingredients fresh and crunchy. For dairy-free, substitute vegan feta or omit cheese and add avocado. Pine nuts can be replaced with walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds for allergies.

Nutrition

Keywords: summer salad, feta cheese, pine nuts, healthy lunch, quick salad, fresh greens, easy recipe, vegetarian, gluten-free

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/fresh-summer-salad-with-creamy-feta-and-pine-nuts-easy-recipe-for-healthy-lunch/