Watercress Salad with Lemondijon Vinaigrette

Recipe Introduction

Fancy a watercress salad ? Honestly, sometimes the simplest things are the best. This peppery salad is packed with flavour and so easy to throw together.

Reminds me of summer lunches in the garden!

Quick Hook: A Peppery Delight!

Looking for a quick and healthy lunch? This vibrant watercress salad with lemon vinaigrette is your answer. The peppery watercress, crunchy walnuts, and tangy dressing create a flavour explosion.

Brief Overview: From Britain with Bite

This British salad recipe takes inspiration from classic flavours. It’s super easy, ready in about 20 minutes. This serves four and is brilliant as a light lunch or side dish.

Main Benefits: Healthy and Delicious

The watercress salad is packed with nutrients and low in calories. It’s a fantastic protein salad recipe and a great way to get your greens.

Plus, it’s absolutely perfect for a quick quick lunch salad ideas .

All About That Watercress

So, what makes this watercress salad so special? Well, it all starts with the watercress itself. This leafy green is bursting with a peppery flavour that I absolutely love.

And those walnuts add such a satisfying crunch!

Salad Ingredients you need

• 6 ounces fresh watercress
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/4 cup feta cheese (optional)
• 1/4 small red onion

Dressing Ingredients you need

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Salad Preparation Steps

First, toast those walnuts. Toss them in a pan for about 3 to 5 minutes until they smell gorgeous. Then, whisk together the dressing ingredients.

Finally, throw everything together in a bowl and enjoy your Easy salad recipes !

A Few Tips from My Kitchen

Make sure you wash the watercress properly. Honestly, nobody wants gritty salad. Also, don't dress the salad until you're ready to serve. You want it to stay crisp.

Watercress Recipes Variations

Fancy a twist? Add some sliced pear or apple. Or maybe try using toasted pecans instead of walnuts. A Tofu salad option could be done by adding grilled tofu cubes.

Watercress: A True British Treasure

Honestly, this Watercress Salad is more than just a recipe. It's a little taste of British summer. Quick, easy, and packed with flavour. Give it a go! You won't regret it.

Alright, let's dive into what you'll need to whip up this cracking watercress salad. Think of it as a peppery hug in a bowl.

I'm gonna tell you everything you need for this easy salad recipe.

Ingredients & Equipment

It is perfect for a quick lunch salad ideas. Are you ready? Let's go.

Main Ingredients

This watercress salad recipe needs a few simple things. Freshness is key, like finding a good cuppa.

• Watercress: 6 ounces (170g) . Look for bright green leaves, not yellowing or slimy. That's a no-go!
• Walnuts: 1/2 cup (60g) , roughly chopped. Quality walnuts are sweet and crunchy.
• Feta Cheese: 1/4 cup (40g) , crumbled (optional). Adds a nice salty tang, but skip if you're going for a vegan tofu salad.
• Red Onion: 1/4 small (about 1/4 cup/30g) , thinly sliced. Not too much, we don't want onion breath all day.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 3 tablespoons (45ml) . Go for a good quality one you'll taste the difference.
• Lemon Juice: 2 tablespoons (30ml) , fresh. Bottled stuff just doesn't cut it.
• Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon (15ml) . Adds a bit of a kick to your watercress salad with lemon vinaigrette.
• Honey: 1 teaspoon (5ml) . Or maple syrup for my vegan friends.
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon (1g) .
• Black Pepper: 1/8 teaspoon (0.5g) , freshly ground.

Seasoning Notes

The vinaigrette is where the magic happens. It gives the salad that peppery flavour.

The Dijon and lemon are the stars. Honey balances the tang. If you want some extra spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

If you are looking for a substitute, you can try Apple cider Vinegar instead of lemon.

Equipment Needed

Keep it simple. No need for fancy gadgets here.

• Small skillet: For toasting the walnuts.
• Whisk: To mix the vinaigrette.
• Mixing bowl: To toss the salad.
• Salad spinner (optional): For drying the watercress, prevents sogginess.

That's it! Now you have everything. Time to start making that yummy British salad recipes and protein salad recipes. Honestly, this watercress salad is so easy, even my cat could probably make it (if he had thumbs, that is!).

Watercress Salad: From Bland to Blighty Good!

Honestly, who gets excited about salad? Me, actually! Especially when it's a watercress salad bursting with flavour. We are going to dive into peppery salad recipes.

This isn't your average rabbit food. This is a proper British salad recipe with a zing! Think quick lunch salad ideas and the perfect protein salad recipes addition! I first tried this salad when I was visiting nan, now it's one of my go to watercress recipes.

Prep Like a Pro: Mise en Place Magic!

Forget frantically chopping while the kettle boils. Get your mise en place sorted! That means everything in its place. Wash and trim 6 ounces (170g) of watercress , chop 1/2 cup (60g) of walnuts , thinly slice 1/4 small red onion and crumble 1/4 cup (40g) of feta .

Got it? Good. Now you're ready to rock. Safety wise, just watch those fingers with the knife, yeah?

Watercress Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette: step-by-step

1. Toast the walnuts: Heat a pan over medium heat. Add walnuts. Toast for 3- 5 minutes or until fragrant. Careful not to burn them!
2. Whisk the vinaigrette: In a bowl, whisk 3 tablespoons (45ml) olive oil , 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice , 1 tablespoon (15ml) Dijon mustard , 1 teaspoon (5ml) honey , 1/4 teaspoon (1g) salt , and 1/8 teaspoon (0.5g) pepper .
3. Combine: In a bowl, mix the watercress, red onion, and toasted walnuts.
4. Dress: Just before serving, drizzle the vinaigrette. Gently toss to coat. Add the feta (optional). Serve right away.

Salad with Walnuts and Feta Pro Tips:

• Toasting the walnuts: Keep a close eye on them as they can burn really easily.
• Dressing: Don't dress the salad until you are ready to eat it or it will go soggy.
• Common mistake: Over dressing the salad! Start with less vinaigrette. Add more if needed. You can also use watercress salad with lemon vinaigrette.

I promise, this watercress salad will become your new lunchtime staple. It's easy, it's quick, and it's packed with flavour.

Enjoy experimenting with different Salad with Walnuts and Feta ingredients, and don't be afraid to make it your own! Remember, cooking should be fun! I hope you will enjoy this easy salad recipes, peppery salad recipes.

Recipe Notes for the Perfect Watercress Salad

Honestly, this watercress salad is so easy, it's almost embarrassing. But that doesn't mean there aren't a few things you can do to take it from "meh" to "wow!".

It's one of those easy salad recipes that becomes a go-to. I remember once, I didn't dry my watercress properly and the dressing just slid right off.

Disaster! Learn from my mistakes, eh?

Serving Suggestions: Plating and Presentation

Presentation matters, even for a quick lunch salad idea. I like to arrange the peppery salad recipes artfully on a plate, maybe with the watercress salad with lemon vinaigrette drizzled just so.

A scattering of extra walnuts and feta (if you're using it) adds a nice touch. For a bigger meal, serve it alongside some grilled salmon.

The flavors complement each other beautifully. Or, for something lighter, pair it with a crisp glass of white wine or even a sparkling elderflower pressé.

Storage Tips: Keep it Fresh!

Okay, this watercress salad is best eaten immediately . Salad greens are divas. They wilt fast. If you absolutely must prep ahead, store the undressed salad and the vinaigrette separately.

You can keep the watercress, red onion, and walnuts in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

The vinaigrette will happily sit in a jar in the fridge for a few days. But, seriously, don't dress the salad until you're ready to eat.

Variations: Adding Your Own Twist

This recipe is a great base for experimentation. If you're looking for protein salad recipes , toss in some grilled chicken or even chickpeas.

For a vegan tofu salad option, omit the feta and add some crumbled, marinated tofu for a similar salty, savory element.

I had a go at that myself and it was delightful! If it's autumn, try adding some sliced apple or pear for a seasonal twist.

You know, swapsies depending on what the shops have! You can also use arugula if watercress is unavailable.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Bowl

This watercress salad is packed with nutrients. Watercress is a superfood, full of vitamins and antioxidants. Walnuts are a great source of healthy fats and the feta adds a bit of protein and calcium.

Just be mindful of the vinaigrette. While olive oil is good for you, it's still high in calories. This is British salad recipes, so you can find it everywhere!.

So there you have it. A few extra tips and tricks to make your watercress salad sing! Don't be afraid to experiment and make it your own. Happy salad ing!

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is watercress and what does it taste like? Is it like rocket?

Watercress is a leafy green vegetable that's part of the mustard family, known for its peppery, slightly spicy flavour. Think of it as a more refined, less bitter cousin to rocket (arugula). It adds a lovely zing to salads, especially this watercress salad, that's hard to beat!

Can I make watercress salad ahead of time? I'm having a dinner party, you see.

While you can prep some components ahead, it's best to assemble the watercress salad just before serving. You can toast the walnuts and make the vinaigrette earlier in the day. However, watercress wilts quickly once dressed, so toss it all together right before your guests arrive for the freshest results.

Nobody wants a soggy salad at their posh dinner party!

I can't find watercress at my local Tesco! What's a good substitute for a watercress salad?

Bother! If you're striking out finding watercress, rocket (arugula) is your best bet for a similar peppery kick. Baby spinach can also work in a pinch, though it's much milder. You might want to add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your vinaigrette to compensate for the lack of pepperiness in the salad if you are using spinach.

How long will leftover watercress salad keep in the fridge?

Unfortunately, dressed watercress salad doesn't keep well. The vinaigrette causes the watercress to wilt and become soggy. It's best to only dress what you'll eat immediately. Undressed watercress can be stored in the fridge in a sealed container with a damp paper towel for a day or two.

Is watercress salad healthy? What are the benefits?

Absolutely! Watercress is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants. It's low in calories and a good source of calcium and iron. So, enjoying a delicious watercress salad is not only tasty but also a fantastic way to boost your overall health!

Can I add protein to make this watercress salad a more substantial meal?

Good thinking! Adding some protein will definitely make it more filling. Grilled chicken or fish are classic choices that pair beautifully with the peppery watercress and tangy vinaigrette. You could also add some chickpeas, hard boiled eggs, or even some crumbled tofu for a vegetarian/vegan option. Get creative!