Mesclun mix is a spring salad, a specialty of Nice in the south of France. A tasty blend of young greens, with a few slivers of parmesan cheese or pine nuts, walnuts, and black olives, and if you are lucky enough to purchase some truffles, is a fabulous addition to this simple salad finished with a vinaigrette dressing!
Try these leafy green-based salad dishes too: Simple Green Salad, Salade Lyonnaise, and Bacon Salad With Egg.
🔍 Quick Look: Mesclun Mix
- ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🕒 Total Time: 15 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 4
- 📊 Calories: ~ 26 kcal per serving (based on nutrition panel)
- 🔥 Cook Method: N/A
- 👩🍳 Flavor Profile: The flavor profile is a vibrant balance of peppery, bitter, earthy, sweet, and nutty notes, depending on the greens available.
- ⭐ Difficulty: Easy
SUMMARIZE & SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
❤️About Mesclun Mix And Why We Love It
At one time, it was only found in Nice, France. However, today it is found in most places and accompanies an assortment of dishes in good restaurants, and is sometimes included as part of the Hors d'oeuvres.
Originating in Provence, France, the name derives from the Provençal word mesclar, meaning "to mix". Today, it is commonly sold in supermarkets under the name "spring mix"
The inhabitants of Nice used to pick their own fresh herbs and plants for this salad, and indeed, some still do to this day.
You too can pick your own, especially dandelion leaves when they are young, but do make sure that no weed killers have been sprayed on the area!
The beauty of this spring salad is in its simplicity, ease of preparation, and delightful taste.
Discover more types of salads like this exquisite spring salad in the Complete Salad Handbook.
🥬️What Is A Mesclun Salad?
Mesclun is a Provencal French term for a blend of young, tender greens before they grow into mature plants. It often consists of a mixture of young shoots, harvested especially for their delicate flavors, such as rocket, watercress, dandelion leaves, and oak leaf lettuce.
Most people have heard of a Salad Niçoise (Salad Nice) or Delightful French Lentil Salad Recipe with their fresh array of vegetable and protein ingredients that make them suitable for a main course. But this one is a simple spring mix made with Provencal herbs and tender plants.
🙌 Mesclun Mix Variations
Many chefs and home cooks now add many delicious food items like pecans, cashews, goat cheese, tomatoes, that create a tasty alternative to this classic salad and could also be added to this Mixed Green Salad Recipe. Also, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, walnuts, black olives, and, if you are lucky enough to purchase some truffles, are all delicious options.
If you choose this salad in a restaurant these days, it is one of the most expensive salads, but you can easily create your own at home for a fraction of the cost.
🗝️ Key Ingredients
Any combination of fresh young salad leaves such as:
- arugula (rocket)
- watercress
- curly parsley or Italian parsley (flat leaf parsley)
- dandelion leaves
- sorrel
- oak leaf lettuce
- garlic
- Vinaigrette Dressing
Basic Vinaigrette Dressing Ingredients
- cider or wine vinegar or another of your choice, but not balsamic vinegar, as this would overpower, not enhance the soft flavor of the lettuces.
- salt and pepper
- olive oil
This basic vinaigrette dressing recipe can have many flavor additions that you can choose from French Salad Dressings.
🔢 How To Make Mesclun Mix
- Wash the fresh salad leaves in cold water and dry them on a kitchen towel or use a salad spinner. (If using curly parsley, wash carefully as grains of sand or dirt hide easily in all those lovely curls.)
- Rub the garlic clove around the bowl in which the salad will be served.
- Arrange leaves in a salad bowl.
- Toss in a light vinaigrette dressing just before serving.
- It is delicious served with a few slivers of parmesan cheese, pecans, cashews, goat cheese, tomatoes, pine nuts, walnuts, black olives, and, if you are lucky enough to purchase some truffles, these would be a fabulous addition. (Slice any additional ingredients thinly to go with the delicate texture of the lettuce.)
🤔What To Serve With Mesclun Mix
- A light lunch with fish like a salmon fillet cooked court bouillon style..
- Mesclun salad is an excellent side dish for any main course that fits with a light salad option.
- It does not hold as a main dish itself, but again is a wonderful side dish and a good choice for a buffet table.
❔Mesclun Mix FAQ
Yes, as with most vegetable salads, Mesclun Mix is full of vitamins and minerals, which are necessary body-building elements.
The choice of lettuce types will determine the flavor mix of Mesclun Mix. So choosing bitter, sweet, and sour leaves produces a tasty bowl.
If you search for Mesclun Mix on the web, you will not find an answer that clearly states this is a green salad, and this is a mesclun salad, and never will the two cross over. They do in many situations, depending on whether the cook at home or a professional chef overlaps in ingredient choices. To me, though, a mesclun salad will have a selection of greens traditionally used from Provençal France. Like the ones listed in this recipe's ingredients, along with classic French herbs also listed here. And topped with one of the many tasty vinaigrette dressings. Whereas a green salad can have a variety of vegetable greens, too, like kale, spinach, Swiss chard, and more, too numerous to list here, with a variety of lettuces, and a salad dressing.
Mesclun mix or "spring mix" is a blend of tender, young baby salad greens. Originating from Provence, France, the word mesclun comes from a local word meaning "mixture".
Yes! According to eatingwell.com, Mesclun Mix is packed with antioxidants and essential nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium.
📖 Recipe
Prep Like a Pro
Before you start cooking, chop, measure, and prep every ingredient, and gather your tools.
This simple habit reduces stress, prevents overcooking, and instantly improves your meals. Mise en Place - "Everything in its place."
Plain Simple & Tasty Mesclun Salad
Ingredients
Any combination of fresh young salad leaves such as:
- 1 cup handful of watercress 1 to 1½ cups of each lettuce type
- 1 cup handful of rocket arugula
- 1 cup handful of parsley
- 1 cup handful of dandelion leaves
- 1 cup handful sorrel
- 1 cup handful oak leaf lettuce
- 1 garlic clove cut in half
- Vinaigrette dressing
Instructions
- Wash the fresh salad leaves in cold water and dry them well on a kitchen towel.
- Rub the garlic clove around the inside of the bowl.
- Arrange leaves in a salad bowl.
- Toss in a light vinaigrette dressing just before serving. Best to toss with clean hands to prevent crushing the delicate greens.
- It is delicious served with a few slivers of parmesan cheese or pine nuts, walnuts, black olives and if you are lucky enough to purchase some truffles these would be a fabulous addition.
- Bon Appétit
Notes
Nutrition
Judith says
I love how simple and elegant this mesclun salad is! The mix of tender greens with a light vinaigrette really lets the fresh flavors shine. I added a few toasted walnuts and a little shaved Parmesan, and it was absolutely delicious alongside grilled chicken. Have you tried any of the variations mentioned in the recipe? I'd love to hear what combinations everyone enjoys most! 👩🏻🍳𓇼𓏲*ੈ✩‧₊˚🥣