Summer Arugula Salad
🥗 Brighten up your summer meals with this easy and refreshing salad! Featuring a base of peppery arugula, juicy fresh berries, toasted walnuts, and creamy Gorgonzola, it’s a perfect blend of textures and flavors. This salad is light, delicious, and pairs wonderfully with your favorite protein like chicken or shrimp. 🍓
Ingredients
- 4-5 oz arugula
- Pinch of salt
- Fresh cracked pepper to taste
- 1-2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp aged balsamic vinegar
- Juice of 1/2 lime
- Zest of 1/2 orange plus the zest of the other half for topping
- ⅓ cup walnuts toasted and cooled
- 1 pint fresh berries such as blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries
- 2-3 oz Gorgonzola cheese crumbled
- 1 tbsp aged balsamic vinegar for topping
Instructions
- Start with a big base of arugula in a large salad bowl.
- Season with salt, fresh cracked pepper, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lime juice, and the zest of half an orange.
- Toast the walnuts in a pan over medium heat for about 2 minutes, stirring or shaking occasionally until lightly browned. Let cool completely before adding to the salad.
- Add fresh berries of your choice, such as blackberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
- Crumble Gorgonzola cheese over the salad.
- Top with the remaining zest from the other half of the orange and drizzle an additional tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.
- Serve as a side dish or add chicken or shrimp for a main course.
Notes
This salad is perfect as a light and refreshing summer meal or side dish. Feel free to swap out the berries for whatever is in season, and consider adding grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein. The zest of orange adds a delightful burst of citrus flavor!