Simple Green Salad 

This Simple Green Salad from Love & Lemons is a bright, crunchy side dish that elevates any meal with minimal fuss. Featuring tender butter or Bibb lettuce, creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, shaved Parmesan, and tamari-roasted almonds, it's tossed in a zingy lemon vinaigrette. The result is a harmonious blend of textures and flavors—creamy, nutty, tangy, and refreshing. Perfect for busy weeknights, brunches, or a light dinner accompaniment, this salad feels fresh and vibrant without any heavy dressing or complex prep. It pairs beautifully with grilled mains, pasta, or brunch spreads. 

Ingredients

• 2 small heads soft lettuce (e.g. butter lettuce, Bibb, red leaf or romaine), washed and dried
  
  

• 1 Persian cucumber, thinly sliced
  
  

• 1 avocado, thinly sliced
  
  

• ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
  
  

• ½ cup raw almonds, roasted with tamar
  
  

• 2 Tbsp pepitas (optional)
  
  

• A handful microgreens (optional)
  
  

• Lemon vinaigrette (see dressing below)

Dressing (Lemon Vinaigrette)

• Juice of 1 lemon
  
  

• 2–3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  
  

• Pinch of flaky sea salt
  
  

• Optional: a splash of tamari (if extra savory flavor desired)
  
  

Directions

1. Roast almonds: preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C), toss almonds with tamari, bake 10–14 minutes until golden; let cool.
   
   

2. Tear lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
   
   

3. Drizzle with a few spoonfuls of lemon vinaigrette and lightly toss to coat.
   
   

4. Add cucumber, avocado, Parmesan, microgreens, roasted almonds, and pepitas.
   
   

5. Drizzle additional dressing as needed, sprinkle with flaky sea salt, and toss gently. Serve immediately.
   
   

Nutrients

(Estimated per serving, recipe serves 4)

• Calories: ~250 kcal (mostly from avocado, almonds, and olive oil)
  
  

• Fat: ~20 g (monounsaturated from avocado and olive oil)
  
  

• Carbohydrates: ~12 g
  
  

• Protein: ~5 g
  
  

• Fiber: ~5 g
  
  

• Sodium: Moderate (depending on tamari used)