Healthy Mediterranean Salad: A Perfect Start to Your Day

Looking for a nutritious yet delicious way to kickstart your day? The Healthy Mediterranean Salad is an excellent choice! Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, this refreshing dish provides the energy you need for those early morning activities. This recipe serves two people and can be prepared within 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced finely
• 1/4 cup of kalamata olives
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
• 1 large avocado, sliced into half moons
• Lemon juice
• Olive oil
• Fresh parsley or mint for garnish
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Begin by gathering all the necessary ingredients. The salad is a versatile dish that you can easily adjust according to your personal preference. Start with washing the cucumber, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives under cold water.

Once clean, slice the cucumber into thin rounds and dice the red bell pepper finely. Halve and seed the cherry tomatoes before slicing them in half. While you can prepare all these items separately, it is recommended to keep them at room temperature until they are needed for the salad assembly.

Cut the avocado lengthwise, remove its pit with a knife, and slice it into half moons. Set aside the sliced avocado to prevent browning by lightly sprinkling lemon juice over each half. This will help maintain their color and freshness during preparation.

Arrange all the prepared ingredients on top of each other in an attractive serving dish. Start with the cucumber slices at the bottom, followed by red bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and finally the avocado slices arranged on top. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad for added creaminess if preferred.

For the dressing, combine olive oil with a squeeze of lemon juice in a small bowl until it forms an emulsion. Season this mixture lightly with salt and pepper to enhance its flavor but ensure it isn't too salty as the olives are already quite seasoned. Drizzle this dressing generously over your Mediterranean salad.

To finish, garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves for extra freshness. Serve immediately after assembling the salad to enjoy all the flavors at their peak. This healthy dish is perfect for a light lunch or as part of a more substantial meal like grilled chicken or fish.

Tips

1. For a spicier option, add some sliced jalapeños along with the bell peppers.
2. If you prefer milder flavors, consider using white beans instead of kalamata olives.
3. The salad can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 4 hours. Just remember that avocado should not sit in lemon juice once it has been sliced completely as this may lead to the discoloration of the entire salad.

Conclusion

The Healthy Mediterranean Salad is a refreshing, healthy, and satisfying dish perfect for starting your day or serving at any meal. Packed full of vitamins and minerals, this salad offers an excellent balance between flavor and nutrition. Try it out today to experience the freshness and zest that a Mediterranean-inspired salad can provide!