Crunchy Fresh Garden Salad with Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette

• 4 cups mixed salad greens (such as baby spinach, arugula, and romaine)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 small carrot, shredded
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
• For the Lemon-Herb Vinaigrette:
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill or oregano, finely chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare all vegetables: wash salad greens thoroughly and dry with a salad spinner or paper towels. Halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Shred the carrot. Chop parsley and tear basil leaves.
2. In a large salad bowl, combine mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, carrot, red onion, parsley, and basil.
3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, and chopped fresh dill (or oregano). Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing emulsifies. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
4. Pour the lemon-herb vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
5. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds on top for added texture and flavor.
6. Serve immediately for best freshness. Optionally, refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving to let flavors meld, but avoid tossing until ready to eat to prevent sogginess.

Chef tips

• Use a salad spinner or pat greens dry completely to keep the salad crisp and prevent wilting.
• If fresh herbs are unavailable, substitute with 1 teaspoon dried herbs, but add them sparingly and mix well into the dressing.
• For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or replace it with a plant-based cheese alternative.
• Add avocado slices or roasted chickpeas to increase creaminess and protein content without changing the fresh flavor profile.