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Freshly tossed arugula salad with shaved Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts in a rustic ceramic bowl.

Arugula Salad

Rebecca Blumer
A simple arugula salad featuring tender baby greens tossed in a bright lemon-honey vinaigrette, topped with shaved Parmesan and toasted pine nuts for a salty, buttery crunch.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 157 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring Cups

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 3/4 teaspoon honey
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 5 ounces arugula
  • 1/4 cup shaved Parmesan or pecorino cheese
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

Instructions
 

  • Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, mustard, sea salt, and a few grinds of black pepper together in the bottom of a large bowl. Keep whisking until the mixture looks slightly thickened and clings to the back of a spoon instead of running off in a thin stream.
  • Add the arugula to the bowl and toss gently to coat every leaf in the dressing, then sprinkle over the shaved cheese and toasted pine nuts and toss once more before tasting and adjusting the seasoning. Listen for a light, dry rustle as the leaves move through the dressing, a sign they were dried well and are picking up the vinaigrette instead of getting weighed down by it.

Notes

Ingredient tip: Buy arugula in a box rather than a plastic bag to prevent the delicate leaves from getting crushed and turning to mush.
Cheese selection: Shave Parmesan directly off a block using a vegetable peeler for a melt-in-your-mouth texture that pre-grated cheese cannot deliver.
Reviving greens: If your arugula looks tired, dunk it in ice water for a few minutes to restore crispness, then dry thoroughly before dressing.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.
Keyword arugula salad, baby arugula, easy salad, rocket salad