Introduction
Giada de Laurentiis is a renowned chef, cookbook author, and television personality. She is best known for her Italian-inspired recipes and her popular cooking show, Giada at Home. Recently, she shared a delicious spring salad recipe that is perfect for the season. This salad is packed with fresh ingredients and is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. It’s a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables and is a healthier alternative to traditional salads. So, if you’re looking for a light and flavorful dish to add to your meal rotation, look no further than Giada de Laurentiis’ perfect spring salad recipe.
Giada de Laurentiis Just Shared the Perfect Spring Salad Recipe
Spring is here, and that means it’s time to start thinking about light, fresh meals. If you’re looking for a delicious salad to add to your weekly rotation, look no further than Giada de Laurentiis’ latest recipe. The celebrity chef just shared her perfect spring salad, and it’s sure to be a hit with your family.
What You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- 2 heads romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
How to Make It
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper.
- Add the parsley, basil, mint, and chives and whisk to combine.
- In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, feta cheese, walnuts, and cranberries.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve immediately.
This salad is the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of spring. The combination of fresh herbs, crunchy walnuts, and sweet cranberries makes for a delicious and nutritious meal. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be served as a side dish or a main course. So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking!
Inspired by the succulent flavors of Sicily, Giada de Laurentiis‘s latest Mediterranean Couscous salad recipe dances with zesty flavor and satisfying crunch. It’s the perfect Springtime salad for lunch or a hearty side dish for a dinner gathering.
If anyone knows Meditteranean cuisine, it’s Giada. She was born in Italy and has been known to loosely follow the Meditteranean diet, consisting of vegetables, olive oil, whole grains, and seafood. Giada de Laurentiis presents her simple Italian dishes in a modern, health-conscious style, making it possible for almost anyone to enjoy her creations. (Check out her recent salmon dinner recipe here.)
This time Giada awes us with a Mediterranean couscous salad, which contains lemon, basil, mint, almonds, tart cranberries, and of course, couscous.
Related: 16 Famous Celebs Share How They Make Their Morning Oatmeal
Couscous is rich in selenium, an essential mineral powerful in antioxidants that decreases inflammation and helps repair damaged cells. It also plays a role in thyroid health and may lower your risk of heart disease. Selenium also reduces LDL cholesterol and plaque buildup on the arterial walls and veins. Consuming just one cup of couscous contains over 60 percent of the daily recommended intake.
Cranberries are ultra-rich in vitamin C and a spectrum of B vitamins essential for maintaining a healthy weight and regulating metabolism. They help boost the immune system, support heart health, and may combat urinary tract infections. Cranberries offer anti-aging benefits and reduction in skin inflammation. This tiny tart berry packs quite the health punch with its abundance of healthy attributes.
Let’s not forget almonds. These crunchy tree nuts are highly nutritious and rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. The antioxidants in almonds protect your cells from oxidative damage, a contributor to disease and premature aging. Almonds are high in magnesium, a mineral in which many people are deficient. Magnesium offers support to type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Eating just a handful of almonds a day can lead to a reduction in bad cholesterol (LDL) levels, possibly reducing the risk of heart disease.
Serve this heart-healthy dish for lunch, or accompany it with a lean protein such as seafood, for dinner.
Giada de Laurentiis’s Mediterranean Couscous Salad
Serves 6
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
3 tablespoons, plus ¼ cup of extra-virgin olive oil
2 minced garlic cloves
1 1-pound box Israeli couscous, orzo, or fregola
3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 lemons, juiced
1 lemon, zested
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
Instructions
1. Warm 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat in a medium saucepan, add the garlic, and cook for 1 minute. Add the couscous, stir and cook until lightly toasted and slightly browned, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Carefully incorporate the vegetable stock and the juice of 1 lemon, and bring it to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the couscous is slightly tender, stirring occasionally for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked couscous with the remaining olive oil, salt, remaining lemon juice, zest, and pepper and allow to cool.
3. When the couscous is room temperature, add the herbs, almonds, and dried cranberries. Toss to combine and serve.
NUTRITION PER SERVING: 449 Calories, 11g Fat, 73g Carbohydrates, 14g Protein, 375mg Sodium, 6g Fiber, 7g Sugar, 4mg Cholesterol
For more, check out Giada de Laurentiis Reveals Her Exact 3-Day Weight Loss Plan.
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