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    Category Home » Salads » Everyday Dinner Salad

    Everyday Dinner Salad

    Published: Feb 16, 2018 · Modified: Oct 11, 2020 by Leigh Anderson · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Say goodbye to flavorless, soggy salads! This perfect little side salad is fresh and flavorful with crisp lettuce, fresh herbs, and a zesty vinaigrette! Serve the everyday dinner salad alongside your favorite main course dishes!

    multi-colored lettuce, fresh herbs and shaved radish piled up on a small white plate

    This bright a fresh herby salad is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. Sometimes that’s all you need right? A supportive sidekick to the star of the show. Serve it alongside roasted salmon, baked lasagna, or grilled chicken.

    Check out my how-to post on making The Perfect Vinaigrette!

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Salad Ingredients:

    To make this salad you’ll need the best quality lettuce you can find, I like butter lettuce, bibb or baby romaine, sliced radish, fresh herbs like chives, dill, parsley or tarragon, and caper-cornichon vinaigrette (see ingredients below).

    leafy green letuuce, chives, dill, sliced radish in water, a small bowl of salad dressing on a gray background

    Dressing Ingredients:

    You make this zesty vinaigrette you’ll need: capers, cornichons, shallot, garlic, dijon mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil.

    two small shallots, a head of garlic, one lemon sliced in half, dijon mustard, capers and cornichons

    Recipe Step by Step:

    Step One: Wash the Lettuce

    Wash the lettuce in ice-cold water then use a salad spinner to dry it thoroughly.

    multi colored lettuce in a salad spinner on a white background

    Step 2. Make the Vinaigrette

    Blend all of the dressing ingredients together in a blender! This dressing will last a few weeks in the fridge. I often make a double batch so that I always have some ready to go.

    caper-cornichon vinaigrette in a mason jar on a white background

    Step 3. Toss and Serve!

    Toss the lettuce leaves with the dressing, sliced radish, and herbs, be sure to taste and season the dressing with salt and pepper as needed.

    a jar of vinaigrette being poured into a wooden salad bowl filled with lettuce

    Tips and Tricks for delicious, flavorful salads:

    Wash your lettuce in ice-cold water and dry it really well.

    The lettuce must be dry, if it’s not the dressing will slide right off and you will be left with a wet, flavorless salad. I highly suggest investing in a salad spinner. I love mine and use it almost daily.

    Season your salad with salt and pepper.

    Yes, that’s right, salads need seasoning too! Season your salad with salt and pepper while you’re tossing it with the dressing.

    Add fresh herbs for flavor and texture.

    Fresh, tender, leafy herbs add so much flavor to a salad. Some of my favorites are mint, chives, tarragon, dill, and parsley.

    Always taste your salad before serving.

    Does it need more salt or pepper? Maybe a touch more acid or sweetness? Adjust the flavors as needed before you serve it.

    a messy plate of salad with a gold fork and knife leaning on the edge of the plate

    Check out more great salads:

    • The Perfect Kale Caesar Salad
    • Persimmon and Blue Cheese Salad with Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette
    • California Chopped Salad
    • Farro Salad with Fennel, Feta and, Crushed Olives
    • Frisée Salad with Bacon, Crouton and a Poached Egg

    I love to hear from readers and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment and/or give it a rating! Don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for all the latest updates!


    Everyday Dinner Salad

    A classic side salad with crisp lettuce, chopped shallot, fresh herbs, and caper-cornichon vinaigrette.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 246kcal
    Author: Leigh Anderson

    Ingredients

    Salad

    • 2-3 heads assorted lettuces or four heaping cups of mixed greens
    • 3 tbsp finely chopped chives
    • ½ c loosely packed fresh dill or parsley
    • 2 radishes thinly sliced on a mandolin
    • flakey sea salt and fresh cracked pepper

    Caper-Cornichon Vinaigrette

    • 1 heaping tbsp capers
    • 4 each cornichon
    • 1 small shallot
    • 1 clove garlic
    • 2 tbsp dijon mustard
    • ¼ c lemon juice
    • ½ c olive oil

    Instructions

    • Wash the lettuce leaves and herbs in ice-cold water then dry in a salad spinner.
    • Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large mixing bowl along with the shaved radish and half the herbs. Toss the salad with the vinaigrette, just enough to coat the leaves, season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
    • To serve: pile the salad onto plates or a platter, top with the rest of the chopped herbs, serve immediately!

    Caper-Cornichon Vinaigrette

    • Blend all of the ingredients in a blender on high until smooth and creamy.

    Notes


    Tips and tricks for delicious, flavorful salads:
    Wash your lettuce in ice-cold water and dry it really well.
    The lettuce must be dry, if it’s not the dressing will slide right off and you will be left with a wet, flavorless salad. I highly suggest investing in a salad spinner. I love mine and use it almost daily.
    Season your salad
    Yes, that’s right, salads need seasoning too! Season your salad with salt and pepper while you’re tossing it with the dressing.
    Add fresh herbs
    Fresh, tender, leafy herbs add so much flavor to a salad. Some of my favorites are mint, chives, tarragon, dill, and parsley.
    Taste your salad before serving
    Does it need more salt or pepper? Maybe a touch more acid or sweetness? Adjust the flavors as needed before you serve it.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 246kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 16mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Share a picture on Instagram and tag me: @Craving_California and use the hashtag: #CravingCalifornia!
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    Welcome to Craving California!

    I'm so glad you're here. My name is Leigh and this is my food blog where I share California inspired recipes and tons of tips and tricks for better home cooking!

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