Insalata Della Nonna Grandmother's Special Salad

Transport your taste buds to the heart of Italy with *Insalata Della Nonna*—Grandmother’s Special Salad, a vibrant and wholesome dish brimming with Mediterranean flavors. This refreshing salad showcases a harmonious blend of crisp mixed greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, and tangy Kalamata olives, balanced by the creamy indulgence of fresh mozzarella bocconcini. Homemade golden croutons add crunch, while a zesty, house-made dressing of extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey ties the ingredients together. Fresh basil leaves lend an aromatic finish, creating a dish as comforting as it is elegant. Perfect as a light main course or a flavorful side, this classic Italian salad is ready in just 25 minutes and serves four.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:5 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 200 grams Mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, and romaine)
• 150 grams Cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium-sized Cucumber
• 1 small Red onion
• 75 grams Kalamata olives
• 100 grams Fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
• 100 grams Crusty bread (for croutons)
• 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 10 leaves Fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 1 small Garlic clove

Directions

Step 1

Wash and dry the mixed salad greens thoroughly. Place them in a large salad bowl.

Step 2

Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl.

Step 3

Peel the cucumber and slice it into thin rounds. Add the slices to the salad bowl.

Step 4

Thinly slice the red onion, then soak the slices in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce their sharpness. Drain and add to the bowl.

Step 5

Remove pits from the Kalamata olives if necessary and add them to the mix.

Step 6

Add the fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) to the salad bowl.

Step 7

Cut the crusty bread into small cubes to make croutons. Toss them with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes or until golden and crispy.

Step 8

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well emulsified.

Step 9

Tear the fresh basil leaves and scatter them over the salad.

Step 10

Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the salad, then toss gently to combine.

Step 11

Serve immediately, topping with freshly toasted croutons for added crunch.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1037.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1271.3

Total Fat 85.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 20.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 53.6mg	0%
Sodium 4193.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 98.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 18.3g	0%
Total Sugars 25.5g
Protein 37.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 759.5mg	0%
Iron 11.3mg	0%
Potassium 1924.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.7%

Protein: 11.3%

Carbs: 29.9%