Lemon Parmesan Romaine Salad
Crisp romaine salad with lemon Parmesan dressing, shaved Parmesan, and toasted pine nuts - simple, fresh, and packed with flavor. A must-try!
Servings 6 servings
Ingredients
Salad
- ¼ cup pine nuts toasted
- 1 large head of romaine lettuce cleaned and chopped
- ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1 lemon
- ¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a dry stainless steel skillet over medium heat, toast the ¼ cup pine nuts, stirring frequently, until golden brown and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ½ cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, ¼ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 garlic clove, and 1 ½ teaspoon sea salt.
- Toss the chopped 1 large head of romaine lettuce with the dressing until evenly coated.
- Garnish with ½ cup shaved Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately.
Notes
Storage: This salad is best enjoyed immediately after tossing, as the romaine can wilt and the pine nuts lose their crunch over time. To prep ahead, store the chopped romaine, toasted pine nuts, and shaved Parmesan cheese separately in airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The dressing can be made in advance and kept refrigerated in a sealed jar for up to 5 days - just give a good shake before using.
Helpful Tips:
- Always start with dry romaine. Wet lettuce leaves dilute the dressing and lead to sad, soggy salad. Plus, the dressing won't stick to the leaves. A salad spinner is your best friend here and I like to lay it out on a clean kitchen towel to air dry afterwards too.
- Use freshly shaved Parmesan. Use a vegetable peeler to shave a block of real Parmesan - it's richer and more flavorful than those bought in tubs.
- Toast pine nuts ahead of time. You can toast a small batch and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Make it a meal. Add your favorite protein like salmon or chicken to make it a complete meal.
Nutrition
Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 790mg | Potassium: 106mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1744IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 144mg | Iron: 1mg