The Spanish Salad: Ensalada Mixta

Ensalada Mixta is a traditional Spanish mixed salad that's vibrant, refreshing, and perfect for summer. It's simple to make and can be customized with a variety of fresh vegetables and ingredients. Here’s a classic recipe for Ensalada Mixta that the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

• For the Salad:

  • 1 head of Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 2 large tomatoes, sliced into wedges
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cucumber, peeled and sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup canned white asparagus, drained and cut into pieces
  • 1 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
  • 1 cup canned tuna, drained
  • 1/2 cup green olives
  • 1/2 cup black olives

• For the Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Prepare the Salad:

   • In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped Romaine lettuce, tomato wedges, sliced red onion, cucumber slices, and bell pepper slices.
   • Add the white asparagus and artichoke hearts to the bowl.
   • Gently toss the salad to combine the ingredients evenly.

2. Add the Protein:

   • Distribute the sliced hard-boiled eggs, canned tuna, green olives, and black olives over the top of the salad.

3. Make the Dressing:

   • In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.

4. Dress the Salad:

   • Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving.
   • Toss gently to ensure all the ingredients are coated with the dressing.

5. Serve:

   • Serve immediately to enjoy the freshest flavors.

Tips for Customization:

• Add Seafood: For a more traditional touch, add anchovies or sardines instead of or in addition to tuna.
• Cheese: Sprinkle some crumbled feta or Manchego cheese for an added layer of flavor.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley or basil can add a burst of freshness.
• Avocado: Slices of avocado can add creaminess and richness to the salad.
• Vinaigrette Variations: Experiment with different vinegars like sherry or apple cider vinegar for a different taste.