🥗🍏🍋🌿 Apple Lemon Basil Salad 🥗🍏🍋🌿
What is it?
Apple Lemon Basil Salad is a delightful and refreshing salad that combines the crispness of apples, the tanginess of lemons, and the aromatic flavor of fresh basil leaves. This salad is a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, and savory flavors that make it a perfect side dish or even a light meal on a hot day.
History:
The exact origin of Apple Lemon Basil Salad is unclear, but it likely developed as a result of culinary experimentation with fresh ingredients. Salads have a long history, with variations found in different cultures worldwide. The combination of apples, lemons, and basil is a modern twist that highlights the popularity of fresh and vibrant ingredients in contemporary cuisine.
Components:
- 🍏 Apples: You’ll need crisp and slightly tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, thinly sliced or diced.
- 🍋 Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a zesty and tangy element to the salad.
- 🌿 Basil Leaves: Fresh basil leaves provide a fragrant and herbaceous note to the dish.
- 🥗 Optional: You can also include other ingredients like mixed greens, red onions, or nuts for added texture and flavor.
Steps to Prepare:
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Prepare the Apples: Wash and slice the apples thinly or dice them into bite-sized pieces. If you’re concerned about the apples browning, you can toss them in a little lemon juice to keep them fresh.
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Lemon Dressing: In a small bowl, combine freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2-3 tablespoons) with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.
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Tear Basil Leaves: Wash and tear the fresh basil leaves into small pieces. This releases their aromatic oils and flavors.
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Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples and torn basil leaves. Pour the lemon dressing over the ingredients.
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Toss and Serve: Gently toss the salad to evenly coat the apples and basil with the lemon dressing. Ensure the flavors are well distributed.
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Chill and Serve: For the best taste, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
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Garnish: You can garnish the salad with additional basil leaves or a sprinkle of nuts if desired.
Preparation Time:
- Preparation for Apple Lemon Basil Salad usually takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on your chopping skills.
- If you allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator before serving, add an extra 15-30 minutes to the total time.
Enjoy your Apple Lemon Basil Salad as a refreshing and healthy addition to your meal! 🥗🍏🍋🌿
Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and health information for Apple Lemon Basil Salad:
Nutrition Facts (Approximate Values for a Typical Serving):
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 240g)
- Calories: 70-80 calories
- Total Fat: 0.2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 0-5mg (depending on salt added)
- Total Carbohydrates: 18-20g
- Dietary Fiber: 3-4g
- Sugars: 14-16g
- Protein: 0.5-1g
- Vitamin C: Approximately 20-25% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Vitamin A: Approximately 1-2% of the DV
- Calcium: Approximately 1% of the DV
- Iron: Approximately 1-2% of the DV
Health Information:
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Low in Calories: Apple Lemon Basil Salad is relatively low in calories, making it a great choice for those looking to manage their calorie intake.
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High in Fiber: The salad contains a good amount of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps you feel full.
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Rich in Vitamin C: Thanks to the fresh lemon juice and apples, this salad is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports immune health and skin health.
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No Saturated Fat: This salad is naturally low in fat, with no saturated fat.
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Minimal Sodium: The sodium content can be kept low by using minimal salt in the dressing.
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Nutrient Variety: The combination of apples, lemon, and basil provides a variety of nutrients and antioxidants that can contribute to overall health.
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Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh ingredients in this salad ensures that you get the maximum nutritional benefits.
It’s worth noting that the nutrition facts may vary slightly based on the specific types and quantities of ingredients you use and the portion size. This salad is generally a healthy choice as part of a balanced diet, and it’s especially great for those looking for a light and refreshing dish.
