Sicilian Salad with Balsamic Dijon Vinaigrette
An eyeful of fresh greens dotted with the peppery bite of fresh basil then loaded up with red, ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, salty kalamata olives, and a pop of red onion. Add creamy slices of mozzarella and drizzle on a thick, luscious vinaigrette. It’s a plate full of summer with freshness in every bite.
Ingredients
- For the vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup aged balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- For the salad:
- 2 cups mixed greens
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, sliced in half, about 1 cup
- ½ cup sliced cucumbers
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives
- ¼ cup thinly sliced red onions
- 2-½ ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
- ⅓ teaspoon pink finishing salt* or sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- To make the vinaigrette:
- Pour the olive oil and the balsamic vinegar into a measuring cup or small bowl. Add the Dijon mustard along with the kosher salt and the black pepper.
- Whisk together until well blended.
- For the salad:
- Scatter the mixed greens and the basil leaves onto a serving platter. Layer with the cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and sliced red onions.
- Top with the slices of mozzarella cheese.
- Sprinkle with the finishing salt, the black pepper and drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad.
Notes
*Pink finishing salt has a mild, almost lightly sweet undertone to it. You can find it at many specialty food stores or online.