Spring Bibb Salad with Lemon-thyme Dressing

prep 10 min.

ready 15 min.

serves 2

We had our first day of spring last week, and of course, we had snow! At least today the sun is shining, and it feels like we are getting closer to normal spring weather here in the midwest. Because of that, we were even able to take our dachshund, Fritz, for a long walk today. He too has been suffering cabin fever.

A few days ago my wife marked a couple of pages from a magazine we subscribe to called “Midwest Living.” They had a simple, healthy, spring salad recipe. I thought it sounded good so I gave it a try.

After evaluating the ingredients we had in the house, I knew I would have to make a trip to a grocer to purchase most of the ingredients. I found fresh bibb lettuce, lemons, and thyme at a local produce market called Ken’s. I purchased the cheese at a small Italian specialty store called Russo’s. (The smell of this place is heavenly.) They did not have the Grana Padano, but the magazine said you could substitute a good Italian Parmesan so that is what I did. It would have been crazy to make five different trips to specialty stores for one recipe!

Having spent a summer as a foreign exchange student in Sweden, I have developed a taste for hard bread. I love the texture and like it with sliced Gouda cheese and butter. Today, I just used butter. Russo’s had a Finnish bread in stock. I thought it would go well with the bibb salad.

Ingredients

• 1 head bibb lettuce

• 1 Tbs. Parmesan cheese, grated

• 1 Tbs. pistachios, chopped

For dressing:

• 4 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

• 1/4 tsp. lemon zest

• 1 tsp. white vinegar

• 1/4 tsp. sea salt

• 1/2 tsp. honey

Directions

1. Using a salad spinner or colander, wash the bibb lettuce under cold water.

2. In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.

3. Place leaves in a large bowl and then toss the lettuce with the dressing using your hands. (Using your hands will not bruise the leaves.)

4. Divide the lettuce into two bowls or plates. Add the pistachios and grated Parmesan. The toppings will stick to the leaves of the salad since the dressing has been added.

This was a delicious springtime salad. It is very light, healthy, and super simple to make! I served it with Scandinavian hard bread and butter. Give it a try.

Spring bibb salad with lemon-thyme dressing

Course Salad, lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword Bibb salad with lemon -thyme dressing

Ingredients

1 head bibb lettuce
1 Tbs. Parmesan cheese grated
1 Tbs. pistachios chopped

dressing

4 Tbs. olive oil extra virgin
2 sprigs thyme fresh
1/2 lemon juiced
1/4 tsp. lemon zest
1 tsp. vinegar white
1/4 tsp. salt sea
1/2 tsp. honey

Instructions

Using a salad spinner or colander, wash the bibb lettuce under cold water.
In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
Place leaves in a large bowl and then toss the lettuce with the dressing using your hands. (Using your hands will not bruise the leaves.)
Divide the lettuce into two bowls or plates. Add the pistachios and grated Parmesan. The toppings will stick to the leaves of the salad since the dressing has been added.

Recipe Notes