Fresh vegetable salad with lemon sauce

A fresh vegetable salad with lemon sauce is a bright and refreshing dish that’s perfect for a light lunch or as a side for dinner. The tangy lemon sauce adds a zesty flavor to the crisp, crunchy vegetables. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for this salad:

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cucumber, sliced or diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh spinach or mixed greens
• 1/4 cup fresh herbs (such as parsley, basil, or cilantro), chopped (optional)

For the Lemon Sauce:

• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables:

1. Cherry Tomatoes:

   • Halve the cherry tomatoes.

2. Cucumber:

   • Slice or dice the cucumber.

3. Bell Pepper:

   • Dice the bell pepper.

4. Shredded Carrots:

   • Use pre-shredded carrots or shred them yourself.

5. Red Onion:

   • Thinly slice the red onion.

6. Spinach or Mixed Greens:

   • Tear or chop the spinach or mixed greens if necessary.

2. Make the Lemon Sauce:

1. Combine Ingredients:
   • In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.

3. Assemble the Salad:

1. Combine Vegetables:

   • In a large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, shredded carrots, red onion, and spinach or mixed greens.

2. Add Dressing:

   • Drizzle the lemon sauce over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.

3. Add Fresh Herbs:

   • If using, sprinkle the fresh herbs over the top of the salad for added flavor.

4. Serve:

1. Chill (optional):

   • For best results, let the salad sit in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

2. Serve:

   • Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature.

Tips:

• Vegetable Variations: Feel free to add or substitute other vegetables like radishes, celery, or snap peas.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs add a burst of flavor, but you can omit them if you prefer.
• Adjusting the Sauce: If you prefer a tangier sauce, add more lemon juice. For a sweeter sauce, increase the honey.

Enjoy your fresh vegetable salad with lemon sauce—a light, flavorful dish that’s sure to brighten up your meal!