Easy Barefoot Contessa Arugula Salad Recipe – Fresh & Tasty

Arugula salad brings a peppery punch to your plate with its vibrant green leaves and zesty flavor profile.

Fresh, crisp arugula transforms ordinary meals into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Leafy and bold, this salad delivers a sophisticated taste that elevates any dining moment.

The delicate yet sharp character of arugula creates a delightful contrast against smooth, creamy dressings.

Simple ingredients combine to create a restaurant-quality side dish that impresses without complicated preparation.

Light and refreshing, the salad offers a nutritious accompaniment that feels both elegant and effortless.

Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a recipe that celebrates fresh, clean flavors:

Why Contessa’s Arugula Salad Appeals to Everyone

• Savor Vibrant Freshness: This arugula salad bursts with crisp, peppery green leaves that deliver an instant garden-fresh taste straight to your plate.
• Craft Simple Elegance: With just five basic ingredients and minimal preparation time, you can create a restaurant-quality dish that looks impressive yet requires minimal culinary skills.
• Celebrate Zesty Brightness: The lemon vinaigrette adds a tangy, light dimension that elevates the entire salad, cutting through the rich Parmesan cheese and providing a refreshing balance of flavors.
• Enjoy Quick Nutrition: Packed with nutrients from arugula and featuring a lean dressing, this salad offers a healthy meal option that can be prepared in less than 10 minutes, perfect for busy individuals seeking delicious, wholesome food.

Key Ingredients for Contessa Arugula Salad

• Arugula: Peppery leafy green with delicate texture, best when fresh and crisp with no wilting or yellowing.

• Lemon Juice: Bright, tangy acid that helps balance the salad's flavors and adds refreshing zest.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, rich base for vinaigrette that helps bind ingredients and provides silky mouthfeel.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances overall taste and brings out natural aromas of ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth, complementing the peppery arugula.

• Parmesan Cheese: Sharp, salty cheese that provides rich umami flavor and delicate texture when shaved on top of salad, best when using high-quality, aged cheese.

How to Assemble Contessa Arugula Salad

Step 1: Prep Leafy Greens

Remove roots from arugula if present. Rinse thoroughly under cold water and use a salad spinner to dry completely. Transfer clean arugula to a spacious mixing bowl.

Step 2: Craft Zesty Citrus Dressing

• Fresh lemon juice
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Step 3: Combine And Toss Salad

Gently drizzle the lemon vinaigrette over the arugula. Use salad tongs or two large spoons to mix thoroughly, ensuring each leaf gets coated with dressing.

Step 4: Plate And Garnish

Distribute the dressed arugula evenly onto individual serving plates. Using a sharp vegetable peeler or knife, create delicate Parmesan cheese shavings. Scatter these elegant cheese curls generously over the top of each salad portion.

Step 5: Serve Immediately

Present the salad right away to enjoy maximum freshness and crisp texture. Best served at room temperature as a light appetizer or side dish.

Chef’s Tips for Contessa Arugula Salad

• Unlock Flavor Profiles: Experiment with different cheese textures to elevate the salad's complexity and surprise your taste buds.
• Protect Tender Leaves: Keep arugula crisp by storing it unwashed in a slightly open plastic bag with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
• Master Quick Assembly: Prep ingredients beforehand, allowing you to toss the salad in less than five minutes when hunger strikes.
• Boost Nutritional Power: Sprinkle toasted seeds or nuts for an unexpected crunch that adds protein and healthy fats to your greens.
• Rescue Wilting Greens: Revive slightly droopy arugula by soaking in ice water for 10 minutes to restore its vibrant, perky texture.

Preserving Contessa Arugula Salad

• Airtight Container Method: Separate the dressing from the greens before storing. Transfer salad components into individual sealed containers, ensuring no moisture penetrates. This technique preserves crisp arugula leaves and prevents premature wilting.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Place containers in the coldest section of your refrigerator, typically the back shelf. Maintain temperature between 35-40°F for maximum ingredient preservation. Consume within 24-36 hours for peak freshness and vibrant flavor.
• Dressing Preservation Technique: Keep vinaigrette in a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Store separately from salad ingredients to maintain texture and prevent soggy leaves. Shake dressing thoroughly before reapplying to salad components when ready to enjoy leftovers.

New Spins on Contessa Arugula Salad

• Mediterranean Mix: Incorporate chopped kalamata olives, diced cucumber, and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version that adds vibrant Mediterranean flavors and extra texture.
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts or sliced almonds over the salad to introduce a delightful crunch and nutty undertone that complements the peppery arugula and sharp Parmesan.
• Roasted Veggie Boost: Add warm roasted cherry tomatoes and grilled zucchini slices to transform the simple salad into a more substantial side dish with enhanced depth and complexity of flavor.
• Protein Packed: Top the arugula with grilled chicken strips or seared salmon to create a complete meal that provides balanced nutrition and makes the salad more filling for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.

Parting Words on Contessa Arugula Salad

Barefoot Contessa’s arugula salad whispers elegance through simplicity.

Mediterranean sunshine dances across crisp greens with zesty lemon notes.

Parmesan shards provide salty sophistication to delicate leaves.

Restaurant-quality experiences emerge from minimal ingredients and precise technique.

Elegant yet effortless preparations define Ina Garten’s culinary philosophy.

Culinary adventure awaits – share this recipe, comment below, spread deliciousness with friends who crave fresh, sophisticated flavors!

Barefoot Contessa Arugula Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s arugula salad brings Italian-inspired elegance to your table with peppery greens and tangy parmesan. Zesty lemon vinaigrette and shaved parmesan create a simple yet sophisticated dish you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• ½ pound (226 grams) fresh arugula (3 large bunches)
• ¼ pound (113 grams) chunk of high-quality Parmesan cheese

Seasoning Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Liquid Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) olive oil

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Instructions

1. Thoroughly rinse the arugula under cold running water, removing any roots or damaged leaves. Gently pat dry using a clean kitchen towel or spin in a salad spinner to eliminate excess moisture.
2. In a small mixing bowl, combine freshly squeezed lemon juice (approximately 2 tablespoons or 30 milliliters), extra virgin olive oil (3 tablespoons or 45 milliliters), kosher salt (1/4 teaspoon or 1.5 grams), and freshly ground black pepper (1/8 teaspoon or 0.3 grams).
3. Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients vigorously until the mixture emulsifies and becomes slightly creamy, ensuring the oil and lemon juice are well incorporated.
4. Transfer the cleaned arugula to a large serving bowl, creating a light, airy bed of greens.
5. Gradually pour the prepared lemon vinaigrette over the arugula, using a gentle tossing motion to ensure even coating without bruising the delicate leaves.
6. Using a high-quality Parmesan cheese, carefully create elegant shavings with a sharp vegetable peeler or cheese knife.
7. Artfully arrange the Parmesan shards atop the dressed arugula, allowing them to rest delicately on the greens.
8. Serve immediately to preserve the salad’s crisp texture and vibrant flavors.

Notes

• Elevate your salad game with this simple yet sophisticated arugula dish that bursts with fresh, peppery flavors.
• Opt for young, tender arugula leaves to ensure a milder taste that complements the zesty lemon dressing.
• Handcrafted vinaigrette allows precise control over the delicate balance between bright citrus and rich olive oil.
• Shaved Parmesan brings a luxurious, salty complexity that transforms this basic salad into a gourmet experience.
• Immediate serving preserves the salad’s crisp texture and vibrant appearance, making it a perfect last-minute side or light meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Dinner
• Method: None
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 267
• Sugar: 0.3 g
• Sodium: 116 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 3 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg