Microgreens Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This simple yet elegant salad showcases the fresh flavors of microgreens with a bright, tangy dressing. It's quick to prepare and makes a perfect side dish or light lunch.

Ingredients

For the Salad

• 2-3 cups mixed microgreens (pea shoots, broccoli, radish, or your favorite mix)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds

For the Lemon Vinaigrette

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside to let flavors meld.
2. Prepare the vegetables: Wash and dry the microgreens gently. Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion.
3. Toast the seeds: In a small dry pan over medium heat, toast the sunflower or pumpkin seeds until golden and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
4. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, gently combine the microgreens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Be careful not to crush the delicate microgreens.
5. Add toppings: Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese (if using) and toasted seeds.
6. Dress and serve: Drizzle with the lemon vinaigrette just before serving. Toss gently to coat, and serve immediately.

Tips

• Don't dress the salad until just before serving - the vinaigrette can wilt the delicate microgreens
• Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables - bell peppers, carrots, or avocado all work well
• For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or quinoa
• Use a mix of microgreens for varied flavors and textures
• If you don't have fresh lemon, you can substitute with white wine vinegar

Variations

• Mediterranean style: Add kalamata olives and replace feta with goat cheese
• Asian-inspired: Replace vinaigrette with a sesame-ginger dressing
• Summer fresh: Add fresh corn, peaches, or berries for a seasonal twist
• Protein-packed: Top with hard-boiled eggs, grilled shrimp, or chickpeas

Nutritional Benefits

This salad is packed with nutrients from the microgreens, which can contain up to 40 times more vitamins than mature greens. Combined with the healthy fats from olive oil and seeds, and the antioxidants from fresh vegetables, this is a nutritional powerhouse in a delicious package!