New Recipes Simple Green Salad with Lemon Dressing

If you use lovely fresh leaves and dress them properly, even the most basic salad like this one will taste absolutely amazing. The combination of oil and acid in the dressing helps our bodies to absorb more of the nutrients from the greens. Super clever!

Directions for: Simple Green Salad with Lemon Dressing

Ingredients

Salad

1 butterhead lettuce

1 small heart of romaine lettuce

1 small radicchio (or an extra heart of romaine)

a few sprigs of soft mixed fresh herbs, such as basil, Italian parsley, mint

Dressing

1 lemon

cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions

Salad

1. Use a knife to trim the roots away from all the lettuces. Separate out the leaves, throwing any tatty ones away.

2. Pop them in a colander and give them a good wash under cold running water over the sink.

3. Spin them dry in a salad spinner, or wrap in a clean tea towel and shake dry, then pile the leaves into a large salad bowl.

4. Pick and add the herbs to the bowl, discarding the stalks.

5. From a height, drizzle 3 tablespoons of the dressing over the leaves and gently toss together with the tips of your fingers until every leaf is coated try not to be heavy-handed and dont be tempted to overdress or the leaves will go limp.

6. Have a taste and add a splash more dressing, if needed remember you can always add more but you cant take it away, so be cautious. Put the lid securely on the glass jar and keep the leftover dressing in the refrigerator for another day. Serve the salad straightaway.

Dressing

1. To make the dressing, halve the lemon, then squeeze the juice into an empty glass jar, using your fingers to catch any seeds.

2. Add the oil and a pinch of sea salt and black pepper to the jar.

3. Put the lid securely on the jar and shake well.

4. Have a taste and see whether you think it needs a bit more lemon juice or oil you want it to be slightly too acidic, so that its still nice and zingy once youve dressed your salad leaves.

Tips and Substitutions

Equipment: Empty glass jar with lid, measuring spoons, cutting board, knife, colander, salad spinner or clean tea towel, large salad bowl.

Jamie's Top Tip: Although you dont need to, you can always add extras like cooked green beans or sweet raw shelled peas see whats growing in your garden and go with what looks best.