Salad with cucumber and greens

A salad featuring cucumber and greens is refreshing and versatile. You can use a variety of greens depending on what you have on hand, such as spinach, arugula, romaine, or mixed baby greens. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

Cucumber and Greens Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, baby kale, or romaine)
• 1 large cucumber, peeled (if desired) and sliced or diced
• 1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup olives (black or green), pitted and sliced (optional)
• 1/4 cup nuts or seeds (such as almonds, sunflower seeds, or walnuts), toasted (optional)

For the Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables:

   • Wash and dry the mixed greens. Place them in a large salad bowl.
   • Peel (if desired) and slice or dice the cucumber. Add it to the bowl with the greens.
   • Halve the cherry or grape tomatoes and add them to the bowl.
   • Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the salad.

2. Add Optional Ingredients:

   • If using, sprinkle crumbled feta or goat cheese over the salad.
   • Add the sliced olives and toasted nuts or seeds if desired.

3. Make the Dressing:

   • In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar (or lemon juice), Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), salt, and black pepper until well combined.

4. Assemble and Toss:

   • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients.

5. Serve:

   • Serve immediately for the freshest flavor.

This salad is versatile, so feel free to customize it with your favorite ingredients or add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas for a heartier meal. Enjoy!