Arugula Lemon Dressing Salad (Printable)

A fresh salad featuring peppery arugula, zesty lemon dressing, and delicate Parmesan shards.

# What You Need:

→ Salad

01 - 4 cups fresh arugula, washed and dried
02 - 1.5 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved
03 - 1 small shallot, thinly sliced (optional)

→ Lemon Dressing

04 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
05 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
06 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
07 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
08 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl until fully combined.
02 - Place arugula and shallot, if using, in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with the lemon dressing and toss gently to coat evenly.
03 - Transfer the dressed arugula mixture to a serving platter or individual plates.
04 - Garnish with shaved Parmesan and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you can set the table, and somehow tastes like you spent hours on it.
  • That peppery arugula paired with tangy lemon is the kind of flavor combination that makes people ask for the recipe.
  • Simple enough for a weeknight, elegant enough for guests.
02 -
  • Don't dress the salad more than a few minutes before eating—arugula is delicate and will wilt if it sits in dressing too long.
  • Toast your own Parmesan shards under the broiler for 30 seconds if you want them warm and nutty, or leave them cold and crisp depending on your mood.
03 -
  • A tiny splash of red wine vinegar in the dressing adds complexity and helps the flavors bloom if you find the lemon alone feels thin.
  • Toast some pine nuts or walnuts and scatter them on top for the kind of crunch that makes people think you really know what you're doing.
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