Perfectly Balanced Salad with Tasty Dressing

Looking for a refreshing and nutritious dish that can serve as the main course or complement to any meal? A perfectly balanced salad is just what you need! This recipe combines different flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits in one dish. The keyword for this article is "balanced salad."

The preparation of this salad is simple; however, it offers a great variety of ingredients that you can adjust according to your tastes or dietary preferences. With only 20 minutes cooking time, the balanced salad is perfect for busy weekdays when you want something healthy and satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed greens
• 1 medium cucumber, sliced into thin rounds
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges
• ½ avocado, cubed
• 50g feta cheese, crumbled
• Dressing (see below for recipe)

Serving size: 4 servings

Salad Dressing Recipe:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.
2. Add ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon honey, and a pinch of salt. Continue to whisk until thoroughly combined.
3. Optional: Add fresh herbs such as dill or parsley for extra flavor.

Steps for the Balanced Salad:

Start by washing all the vegetables in cold water to remove any dirt or bacteria. Then, prepare each component of your salad individually before combining them together at the end of preparation.

1. Cut up the cucumber and tomatoes as described above. Slice the onion thinly, keeping it separate from other components until mixing with dressing.
2. Mix the greens in a large bowl along with the sliced avocado, crumbled feta cheese, and red onion slices. Make sure to mix gently so that you don't crush the avocados too much which can turn them brown faster.
3. Once all ingredients are prepared, add the dressing over the salad. Toss everything carefully until well combined but still retaining their shape as much as possible.
4. Your perfectly balanced salad is now ready to be served and enjoyed immediately!

Tips for Maximizing Your Balanced Salad:

• To keep your avocados from browning, once cubed, place them in cold water until you are ready to mix with other ingredients.
• Feel free to add or omit any components based on individual preferences; this recipe is flexible and easily adaptable!
• You could also explore adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu for an extra protein boost.

Nutritional Benefits:

The balanced salad offers a range of health benefits due to its diverse ingredient selection. Mixed greens provide essential vitamins and minerals while cucumber contributes to hydration. Red onions add natural sugars that enhance flavor without being overly sweet. Feta cheese supplies calcium and protein, whereas tomatoes contribute lycopene – an antioxidant good for skin health.

Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats which help reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood. They also provide healthy fats essential for brain function as well as vitamins K, C, E, B6 along with fiber content which aids digestive processes and maintains overall heart health.

Fresh herbs like dill and parsley add more than just taste; they contain antioxidants beneficial to your immune system and aid in reducing inflammation throughout the body. Apple cider vinegar aids digestion by promoting good bacteria growth within gut flora.

Conclusion:

A balanced salad is an easy, quick meal or snack that can be enjoyed anytime of day. Its versatility allows you to mix and match various ingredients based on personal taste preferences while still maintaining nutritional balance. Whether used as a standalone lunch option or paired with grilled chicken for dinner, this dish will leave you feeling satisfied yet energized throughout your busy day.