Salad with arugula and tomatoes

A salad featuring arugula and tomatoes is fresh, peppery, and packed with flavor. Arugula’s slightly spicy notes pair wonderfully with the sweet and juicy tomatoes. Here's a simple and delicious recipe for a salad with arugula and tomatoes:

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 4 cups fresh arugula
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (or 2 medium tomatoes, diced)
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds (optional)

For the Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the Salad:

1. Wash and Dry Arugula:

   • Rinse the arugula under cold water and spin dry using a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels.

2. Prepare Vegetables:

   • Halve the cherry or grape tomatoes. If using larger tomatoes, dice them into bite-sized pieces.
   • Thinly slice the red onion.

3. Combine Ingredients:

   • In a large salad bowl, combine the arugula, tomatoes, red onion, and olives (if using). Toss gently to mix.

4. Add Cheese and Nuts (if using):

   • Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds over the salad.

Make the Dressing:

1. Whisk Ingredients:

   • In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.

2. Taste and Adjust:

   • Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more honey for sweetness or more vinegar for tanginess.

Dress the Salad:

1. Toss Salad:

   • Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients with the dressing.

2. Serve:

   • Serve immediately to enjoy the freshness and crispness of the arugula.

Tips:

• Tomato Variety: Use your favorite tomatoes, whether cherry, grape, or heirloom, depending on what's in season and available.
• Additions: You can add other ingredients such as avocado, cucumbers, or grilled chicken to make the salad more substantial.
• Dressing Variations: Experiment with different vinegars or add fresh herbs like basil or parsley to the dressing for added flavor.

This arugula and tomato salad is a great side dish or light main course that's easy to prepare and full of vibrant, fresh flavors. Enjoy!