Emerald Isle Greenscape Salad (Printable)

A striking green salad layered with fresh greens, fruits, herbs, and creamy cheese accents for a refreshing dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Greens & Base

01 - 3.5 oz baby spinach leaves
02 - 1.75 oz arugula
03 - 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced

→ Green Accents

05 - 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
06 - 3.5 oz green grapes, halved
07 - 1.75 oz green olives, pitted and sliced
08 - 1 oz fresh basil leaves

→ Dressing

09 - 3 tbsp basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
10 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Cheese River

13 - 3.5 oz fresh mozzarella, torn into small pieces or thin strips
14 - 1 tbsp crème fraîche or Greek yogurt (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place baby spinach and arugula evenly on a large serving platter to form the base layer.
02 - Distribute thinly sliced cucumber and diced green bell pepper evenly over the greens to introduce color variation.
03 - Artistically place kiwi slices, halved green grapes, and sliced green olives across the salad to build depth and visual interest.
04 - Tuck fresh basil leaves throughout the salad for aromatic freshness and enhanced green tones.
05 - Whisk together basil pesto, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth.
06 - Evenly drizzle the prepared dressing over all salad ingredients.
07 - Arrange torn fresh mozzarella pieces in a winding line across the salad to form a 'river'; optionally, dot with small spoonfuls of crème fraîche or Greek yogurt for added creaminess.
08 - Present immediately to highlight layered shades of green prior to tossing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's absolutely stunning to look at—guests always ask for the recipe before even tasting it
  • Everything is raw and fresh, so you're not spending time at the stove, just creating magic on a platter
  • The combination of textures and flavors keeps every bite interesting, from crisp cucumber to sweet kiwi to peppery arugula
02 -
  • Timing is everything—assemble this no more than 15 minutes before serving. The greens will start to wilt and the kiwis will weep if left sitting too long. This is a 'last-minute creation' kind of dish.
  • The dressing should never touch the greens until the very last moment before serving. Dress too early and your gorgeous presentation becomes a soggy, discolored mess. Wait until you're ready to eat.
  • Quality mozzarella makes all the difference. Fresh, creamy mozzarella creates that soft, luxurious river effect. Harder, older mozzarella will be dense and will ruin the visual and textural impact.
03 -
  • Use a mandoline to slice your cucumber paper-thin—it transforms the texture and makes the salad feel more refined. Just watch your fingers carefully.
  • Chill your serving platter in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before assembling. A cold platter keeps the mozzarella from softening too quickly and the greens from wilting.
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