Description
Ina Garten’s arugula salad brings Italian elegance to your table with a simple yet sophisticated blend of peppery greens and zesty lemon dressing. Fresh ingredients and classic techniques combine for a light, refreshing side that completes you.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ lb (226 g) arugula (3 large bunches)
- ¼ lb (113 g) Parmesan cheese (high-quality chunk)
- ½ cup (120 ml) olive oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) lemon juice (freshly squeezed, 2 lemons)
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously cleanse arugula under cool water, discarding any wilted or damaged leaves. Thoroughly dry using a salad spinner or kitchen towel to ensure crisp texture.
- Vinaigrette Creation: Craft a zesty dressing by blending fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl. Whisk energetically until the mixture transforms into a smooth, cohesive emulsion.
- Dressing Application: Gently cascade the vibrant vinaigrette over the pristine arugula leaves, using a delicate tossing technique to ensure uniform coating without compromising the greens’ delicate structure.
- Parmesan Garnish: Elegantly adorn the salad with gossamer-thin Parmesan shavings, created using a precise vegetable peeler or specialized cheese knife. Distribute the cheese fragments with artistic consideration across the verdant landscape.
- Serving: Present the salad immediately, capturing the peak of its fresh, peppery essence and maintaining the crisp, invigorating character of the dish.
Notes
- Rinse Carefully: Remove roots and damaged leaves to ensure only fresh, crisp arugula makes it to your plate.
- Dressing Technique: Whisk vinaigrette ingredients vigorously to create a smooth, well-emulsified sauce that coats leaves evenly.
- Cheese Shaving Pro Tip: Use a sharp vegetable peeler or cheese knife to create elegant Parmesan shards for a professional presentation.
- Serve Immediately: Dress the salad just before serving to maintain the arugula’s delicate texture and prevent wilting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Dinner
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 46 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 40 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg