Spinach Salad

 I don't usually like salad made at home, especially leafy salads, which use leaves like lettuce or spinach, which has to be eaten raw. I do not own a salad spinner, and I somehow have this compulsion to wash the leaves, before they are consumed...and that makes them, kinda soggy....which I do not like. However, this recipe given by my friend Gargi, is nice. Yes, the spinach becomes a bit soggy after washing the leaves and adding the dressing, but it doesn't matter. It tastes great. Also, if u use prewashed baby spinach leaves found in the salad leaves section in the supermarket, they do not get wilted and remain crisp ...they are perfect for this recipe.

It is a fresh, nutritionally rich and flavorful recipe. You can add different colored vegetables and nuts of your choice, like cucumbers, grated carrots, olives, sunflower seeds, walnuts, etc

Ingredients:

• A bunch of fresh spinach(china spinach/baby spinach or red spinach)
• Half a green and red capsicum
• Yellow grape tomatoes -- about 7
• 2 cloves garlic(optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 lemon
• salt and pepper
• 2-3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Recipe:

• Wash and clean the spinach leaves. Leave to drain. If you have a salad spinner, use it to drain of as much water as possible.
• You can roughly tear them, or leave them as they are.
• Chop the colored capsicums, in small pieces. Chop the grape tomatoes in half.

• Make the salad dressing: Squeeze juice of a fresh lemon. Add about a tbsp of olive oil to it. Add 2 grated garlic cloves. Mix well.

• Mix the spinach with the capsicum and tomatoes. Pour the dressing over it. 

• Add salt and pepper and toss well. Grate parmesan cheese over it.

• Done. Fresh spinach salad is ready to serve. Serve immediately.

Quantity:

• 2-3 servings with accompaniments
• 1 serving as a meal in itself

spinach salad with feta cheese

Notes:

• I have served this salad with grilled salmon.
• Can also be served with boiled eggs or as a salad in sandwiches or homemade burgers.
• I have made this salad with other vegetables, like cucumbers, regular tomatoes, feta cheese, sauteed mushrooms, olives, etc.
• I have made this recipe, without the garlic too. If you do not like the taste of raw garlic, you can omit it.