Description
A refreshing and vibrant salad featuring grilled courgette ribbons, crisp Little Gem lettuce, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty lemon and honey dressing with fresh mint accents. Perfect as a light meal or an elegant side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 medium courgettes (zucchini), sliced lengthwise into ribbons
- 2 heads Little Gem lettuce, leaves separated
- 100g (3.5 oz) feta cheese, crumbled
- A handful fresh mint leaves, torn
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat the grill pan: Place a grill pan over medium-high heat and allow it to get hot before cooking. This ensures the courgette ribbons will char properly and develop great flavor.
- Prepare courgettes: Brush the courgette ribbons lightly with olive oil and season them with salt and black pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Grill courgettes: Place the courgette ribbons on the hot grill pan and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until they are lightly charred. Once cooked, set them aside to cool slightly.
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, crushed garlic, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Combine salad ingredients: Add the Little Gem lettuce leaves, the grilled courgettes, and half of the crumbled feta cheese into the bowl with the dressing.
- Shake up the salad: Toss or shake the salad well to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
- Add finishing touches: Top the salad with the remaining feta cheese and the torn fresh mint leaves for a burst of freshness, then serve immediately.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh and firm courgettes to create sturdy ribbons that hold up well on the grill.
- If you do not have a grill pan, you can use a regular frying pan or an outdoor grill instead.
- Adjust the honey in the dressing to taste, especially if you prefer less sweetness.
- This salad can be served as a light lunch or as an elegant side dish accompanying grilled meats or fish.
- To keep the salad crisp, add dressing just before serving.
