I ate this salad for lunch almost every day
The simple combination that earned a spot on the Tavva menu
A note from Val: Recreating a dressing I couldn’t stop thinking about
A while ago, my mom gave me a really good lemon balsamic olive oil as a gift. I tried it on a salad one day, and I loved it so much that I started eating it for lunch almost every day.
The salad couldn’t have been simpler. Just baby arugula, shaved parmesan, pine nuts, and that lemon balsamic dressing. It was fresh, flavorful, light, and one of those meals that never got old.
As we started developing the Tavva menu, I kept coming back to that salad. I knew it would make the perfect side salad to pair with our pastas, pizzas, and sandwiches. And the addition of grilled herb chicken or parmesan-crusted chicken would make it a really great meal.
The challenge was getting the dressing right. The original lemon balsamic olive oil that inspired the salad wasn’t something we could simply buy and use at Tavva, so I needed to create my own version.
I wanted it to have the perfect balance of flavors. Lightly sweet, fresh and bright from the lemon, and just tangy enough from the balsamic vinegar.
I tested a few versions until I got it right, and Tyler was my first taste tester. I made a big version of this salad with grilled herb chicken, and he ate it so fast. He loved it.
The lemon balsamic dressing really brings those simple salad components to life and makes the salad.
The other thing I love about this salad is that it’s another Gluten Friendly option on our menu when ordered as a side salad or as a full salad with grilled herb chicken.
It’s delicious any way you order it, and I can’t wait for you to try it!
Lemon Arugula Salad Description
Fresh baby arugula tossed with shaved parmesan, toasted pine nuts, and our lemon balsamic olive oil dressing. Served with a side of warm focaccia that’s perfect for dipping into the dressing. Available as a side salad or full-size entrée, with the option to add grilled herb chicken or parmesan-crusted chicken to the full-size salad. (Gluten Friendly when ordered with the grilled herb chicken.)