Farmer's Market Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
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This Farmer's Market Salad is fresh and seasonal. It’s loaded with crisp greens, peaches, cherries, avocado, and seeds, all topped with a zesty lemon poppy seed dressing.
You'll also love my grilled chicken salad, pasta salad with creamy basil dressing and lemon chicken pasta salad.
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⭐️ Why this recipe works
- Fresh Ingredients: Utilizes seasonal, locally sourced produce.
- Nutrient-Dense: Packed with vitamins and minerals from a variety of vegetables and fruits.
- Quick and Easy: Simple preparation makes it perfect for a healthy meal in minutes.
- Versatile: Easily customizable with different fruits, vegetables, and dressings.
🧾 Ingredients notes
- Lettuce: Provides a crisp and refreshing base.
- Baby Leaves (Spinach, Arugula, or Mixed Greens): Adds variety and nutritional value.
- Peach: Contributes a sweet and juicy element.
- Cherries: Offer a tart contrast to the sweetness.
- Avocado: Adds creaminess and healthy fats.
- Mixed Seeds (Pumpkin, Sunflower, Flax): Provide crunch and additional nutrients.
- Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes: Bring vibrant color and a burst of flavor.
- Croutons: Add texture and a satisfying crunch.
- Olive Oil: The base of the dressing, adding richness.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Provides acidity and brightness.
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds depth and a slight tang.
- Poppy Seeds: Provide a subtle crunch and visual appeal.
- Salt and Pepper: Enhance and balance the flavors.
For precise measurements and additional ingredients, refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
👩🏻🍳 Here's how to make it
Farmer's Market Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing recipe step-by-step
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce and baby leaves.
- Add Fruits: Add the sliced peach, halved cherries, and sliced avocado.
- Incorporate Additional Ingredients: Toss in the mixed seeds, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and croutons.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard. Whisk or shake until well blended.
- Season the Dressing: Add the poppy seeds and season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk or shake again until the dressing is well combined.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle the lemon poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss the salad gently to coat all ingredients with the dressing.
📖 Substitutions and variations
- Greens: Substitute with kale, romaine, or mixed spring greens.
- Fruits: Swap the peach and cherries with apples, strawberries, or blueberries.
- Avocado: Replace with goat cheese or feta for a different texture and flavor.
- Seeds: Use nuts like almonds or walnuts instead of seeds.
- Dressing: Try a balsamic vinaigrette or creamy ranch dressing for a different taste profile.
- Croutons: Use toasted nuts or seeds for a gluten-free option.
💡 Chef's Guide: Expert Tips
Drawing from a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens and Cordon Bleu training, here are my top tips for recipe success.
- Chilling: Chill the salad ingredients before serving for a refreshing experience.
- Dressing: Dress the salad just before serving to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Layering Technique: Layer ingredients- start with the heaviest at the bottom and the lightest on top if you make the salad in a jar. This keeps the salad fresh and prevents sogginess.
❓Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can prepare the salad ingredients and the dressing separately and combine them just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
Absolutely. Grilled chicken, tofu, or chickpeas would be great additions to increase the protein content.
Instead of croutons, you can use toasted nuts, seeds, or crispy chickpeas for added crunch.
To prevent the avocado from browning, toss the slices in a little lemon juice or store them in an airtight container with the pit included.
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Farmer's Market Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 cups lettuce, chopped
- 2 cups baby leaves, spinach, arugula, or mixed greens
- 1 peach, sliced
- 5 cherries, pitted and halved
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 tablespoon mixed seeds, pumpkin, sunflower, flax
- 1 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup croutons
For the Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce and baby leaves.
- Add the sliced peach, halved cherries, and sliced avocado.
- Toss in the mixed seeds, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and croutons.
Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, and Dijon mustard.
- Whisk or shake until well blended.
- Add the poppy seeds and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Whisk or shake again until the dressing is well combined.
Dress the Salad:
- Drizzle the lemon poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Toss the salad gently to coat all ingredients with the dressing.
Notes
- Customizations: Feel free to add or substitute other fresh market finds like radishes, cucumbers, or berries.
- Storage: If you’re preparing this salad ahead of time, keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to maintain the salad’s crispness.
- Serving Suggestion: This salad pairs well with grilled chicken or fish for a more substantial meal.
- Nutritional Boost: Consider sprinkling some feta cheese or adding a boiled egg on top for added protein.
Nutrition
Meet the Chef!
Hi, I'm Debs. Cordon Bleu trained chef and recipe developer. I help you get incredible dinners on the table fast with fool-proof recipes and step-by-step instructions along with tips and tricks that I've learned over a 10-year career in professional kitchens.
What a gorgeous summer salad Debs! The colors, the dressing! Nice and light. Love it!
Thanks so much Mare! Perfect for your hot England summers!