Description
A simple, elegant green salad with shaved Parmesan and a light vinaigrette that takes only 12 minutes to prepare. It is the perfect stress-free side dish for dinner parties, cutting through rich main courses with its crisp freshness and savory flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 large bag (5–6 oz / 140-170g) mixed greens (baby spinach, arugula, spring mix)
- 1 small wedge (2 oz / 55g) Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: toasted walnuts, pecans, sliced radishes, or dried cranberries
Instructions
- Wash the mixed greens in cold water and spin them dry thoroughly. Ensure greens are completely dry to prevent watery dressing.
- Shave the Parmesan wedge using a vegetable peeler to create long, thin ribbons. Let the cheese sit at room temperature for 10 minutes if it is too hard to shave.
- In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, and apple cider vinegar until the garlic is dispersed.
- Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while whisking constantly to emulsify the dressing until it thickens slightly.
- Place the dried greens in a large salad bowl and drizzle about three-quarters of the dressing over them.
- Toss the salad gently with hands or large spoons until leaves are lightly coated with a glossy sheen. Add more dressing if needed.
- Divide salad among plates or serve family-style. Top generously with shaved Parmesan ribbons and a final crack of black pepper.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
Ensure greens are completely dry before dressing to prevent sogginess. Dress the salad immediately before serving. If making ahead, store greens and dressing separately. For dairy-free, swap Parmesan for cashew-based shavings or nutritional yeast. Cold cheese shaves poorly, so let it come to room temperature first.
- Prep Time: 12 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 8
Keywords: green salad, shaved parmesan, dinner party side, quick salad, vinaigrette, healthy side dish, gluten-free, easy recipe