Arugula Salad with Radish, Mint & Feta
Arugula Salad with Radish, Mint & Feta
Adapted from Food & Wine Magazine
Ingredients:
- 1/2 loaf ciabatta, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Salt & black pepper
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 romaine lettuce heart, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips
- 4 cups baby arugula
- 6 medium watermelon radishes—peeled, halved and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped mint
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Directions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2.Toss the ciabatta cubes with olive oil and season with salt and pepper
3.Place the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet
4.Bake for 15 minutes (or until golden and crisp), toss once
5.Let croutons cool completely
6.Whisk vinegar with remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil
7.Toss romaine with the arugula, radishes, mint and vinaigrette
8.Fold in the croutons and feta and season with salt and pepper
This salad is fresh, crisp and beautiful — just like Spring! It features the distinct tastes and textures of the seasonal harvest: arugula, radishes,
and mint. Enjoy this flavorful salad as a side dish or pair with a protein for a balanced meal.
The mild romaine lettuce pairs well with the strong arugula, an early Spring peppery flavored leafy green. Arugula is a great addition to a salad, soup
or pasta dish or it can be used in pesto recipes instead of basil. Arugula provides folate, vitamin A, C, and K. It is loaded with lutein, an antioxidant
that helps maintain healthy eyes.
Similar to Arugula, radishes have a strong, peppery flavor and peak in the Spring. They are crisp in texture. Radishes contain vitamin C and also contain
a unique antimicrobial property. According to a 2009 study, the antifungal protein (RsAFP2) found in radishes induced cell death in Candida Albicans,
an opportunistic pathogen found in humans.
Mint also arrives in Spring. It’s flavor is crisp and cool! Mint is a good source of vitamin A which helps to support both a healthy immune system and
healthy skin. Like other herbs, it offers a nutritious way to add freshness and flavor to dishes.
Enjoy & Happy Spring!
Aerts, A. M., Carmona-Gutierrez, D., Lefevre, S., Govaert, G., François, I. E., Madeo, F., Santos, R., Cammue, B. P., and Thevissen, K. (2009). The antifungal plant defensin RsAFP2 from radish induces apoptosis in a metacaspase independent way in Candida albicans. FEBS Lett. 583, 2513–2516.
