Little Gem Salad with Lemon Cream Dressing Recipe
A fresh and vibrant Little Gem Salad topped with a zesty Lemon Cream Dressing made from anchovies, fresh herbs, lemon, and creamy mayo and yogurt. This crisp and tangy salad is finished with sweet tomatoes and toasted seeds for crunch, perfect for a light and flavorful starter or side.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Dressing
- 2 to 3 anchovy fillets, rinsed
- Handful chopped chives
- Handful chopped parsley
- Juice of 1 fresh lemon
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
- 1/2 cup regular or olive oil mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Finishing salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Salad
- Little Gem Romaine lettuce, Limestone lettuce, or Bibb/Butter lettuce (quantity to serve 4)
- Small sweet tomatoes such as baby Heirlooms or sweet cherry tomatoes (about 1 cup, halved)
- Toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas) or toasted sunflower seeds (about 1/4 cup)
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Rinse the anchovy fillets, then place them in a blender with the chopped parsley and chives. Puree until the mixture is smooth.
- Add lemon juice: Pour in the fresh lemon juice and pulse the blender briefly to combine the flavors without over-blending.
- Incorporate creamy ingredients: Add mayonnaise and non-fat Greek yogurt or sour cream to the blender. Blend the mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Season the dressing: Stir in the grated lemon zest and season with finishing salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as desired.
- Prepare the salad: Wash and dry the lettuce of your choice, then arrange the leaves on a serving plate or bowl.
- Assemble the salad: Drizzle the lemon cream dressing evenly over the crisp lettuce. Cut the sweet tomatoes in half and scatter them decoratively over the salad.
- Add finishing touches: Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds or toasted sunflower seeds on top to add a crunchy texture.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately to maintain the crisp freshness of the greens and vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs for the best flavor in the dressing.
- Non-fat Greek yogurt can be substituted with sour cream for a richer dressing.
- Ensure the lettuce is thoroughly dry after washing to prevent a watery salad.
- To toast seeds, lightly dry roast them in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant and golden, about 3–4 minutes.
- This salad is best served immediately to maintain crispness.
Keywords: Little Gem Salad, Lemon Cream Dressing, Anchovy Dressing, Fresh Herb Salad, Light Salad, Healthy Salad
