Spring seasoned salad

Spring Seasoned Salad – An Explosion of Color and Flavor

Spring is a season that brings us not only flowers and beautiful weather but also fresh, vibrant ingredients. This spring salad is a perfect choice to celebrate the colors and flavors of the season. With a mix of crunchy vegetables, perfectly boiled eggs, and aromatic herbs, this simple and quick recipe is sure to become your family’s favorite. Let’s get started!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 4

Necessary ingredients:

- 2 radishes
- 2 tomatoes
- 1 head of lettuce
- 1 can of sweet corn
- 200 g feta cheese (cubes)
- 150 g ham or turkey (cubes)
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 onion (julienned)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
- 1 boiled carrot
- 1 slice of boiled celery
- 100 g black olives
- Fresh or dried tarragon
- Fresh mint
- Juice of half a lemon
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste

Step-by-step preparation:

1. Boiling the ingredients: Start by boiling the eggs. It’s ideal to boil them for 10 minutes to achieve hard-boiled eggs. Place them in a pot with cold water and add a pinch of salt to prevent cracking. Once boiled, transfer them to cold water to stop the cooking process.

2. Preparing the vegetables: At the same time, you can boil the carrot and celery in another pot. They should be boiled until slightly soft but still crunchy. Then, let them cool and cut them into cubes or slices, depending on your preference.

3. Cutting the ingredients: Once the eggs have cooled, peel them and cut them into quarters. Wash the fresh vegetables: radishes, tomatoes, bell pepper, and lettuce. Slice the radishes, cube the tomatoes, and cut the bell pepper into strips. Also, chop the onion julienne.

4. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, add all the chopped ingredients: radishes, tomatoes, lettuce, sweet corn, feta cheese, ham, bell pepper, onion, carrot, celery, and olives. Gently mix to avoid crushing the feta cheese and to maintain the crunchy texture of the vegetables.

5. Seasoning: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour this dressing over the salad and mix again carefully.

6. Finalizing: Before serving, sprinkle the chopped tarragon and mint on top for a burst of fresh flavor. You can also add a little more olive oil if desired.

7. Serving: This salad is perfect as an appetizer or as a light main course. You can serve it immediately, but it’s also great the next day at lunch when the flavors have melded.

Practical tips:

- Choose fresh ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the salad will taste. Buy seasonal vegetables as they are the most flavorful.
- Vary the ingredients: You can add avocado, cucumbers, or different types of cheese to diversify the recipe.
- For an intense flavor: You can also add some nuts or toasted seeds for added crunch.
- Maintaining the salad: If you want to prepare it in advance, keep the dressing separate until serving to avoid soggy vegetables.

Nutritional information (per serving):

- Calories: Approximately 350 kcal
- Protein: 15 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g

This spring salad is not only a delicious meal but also a healthy choice, packed with vitamins and minerals. It is an excellent source of protein due to the eggs and feta cheese, while the fresh vegetables provide fiber and antioxidants.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, you can use goat cheese or mozzarella for a different variation.

2. Can I make the salad spicier?
Sure! Add some freshly chopped chili pepper or chili flakes.

3. How can I keep the salad fresh?
Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, but don’t add the dressing if you prepare it in advance.

This spring salad is the perfect choice for a light meal or a picnic. Pair it with a glass of fresh lemonade or a dry white wine for a complete culinary experience. Enjoy!