Salads
Side Salads
Your grilled ribs might be renowned, your chicken might be the best on the block, but a good side salad will garner raves for your all-around menu. The success of a side dish is determined by its ability to enhance the main dish, but it should be strong enough to stand on its own. Below are some side salads designed to bring out the most in your main dishes. They also serve as fun additions to a picnic or potluck.
Broccoli Slaw
This nice summery twist on slaw takes broccoli stalks from leftover to main ingredient.
Chef Suggestions
• Serve as side with fresh deli sandwiches. Add in 1/8 cup shredded carrots for flavor and color.
• Toast sunflower seeds by tossing seeds and 1 tablespoon vegetable oil together and spreading out on baking sheet. Bake at 325 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes, checking seeds often so not to burn. They will develop a great flavor in just a few minutes. Set aside to cool before use. Makes 4 servings.
Tropical Fruit and Black Bean Salad
This salad is a delightful fusion of warm and cool, tropical and Latino flavors.
Black Bean & Corn Salad
Two more summer favorites combine with tomatoes and seasonings to pack a punch.
Mediterranean Pasta Salad
This amazingly simple pasta salad might be just the thing to accompany your favorite grilled meat dish.
Chef Suggestions
• Add olives, cheese or other vegetables if desired. Makes 4 servings.
Green Salads
Let us not forget the venerable lettuce salad. Shop for your favorite kinds of lettuce, then be creative with additions -- cheese and nuts can add flavor to both the lettuce and any other vegetables you might add. Lettuce options include Romaine, leaf, endive, radicchio, Swiss chard, spinach, and arugula. Top your mix with your favorite dressing (see below), oil and vinegar, or a squeeze of lemon juice.
Almost everyone has a favorite salad dressing. You might have a new one after you try these fresh twists:
Simply Organic’s Greek Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon yellow mustard powder
1 package Simply Organic Italian Herb Spaghetti Sauce Mix
In a mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients in the order above. Chill until ready to serve.
Chef Suggestions
• Serve over fresh mixed greens topped with feta cheese. Makes 6 servings.
Honey Mustard Salad Dressing
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (Chardonnay)
4 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
4 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon dill weed
Combine all ingredients in a screw-top jar. Cover tightly. Shake well. Chill. Shake again before serving. Makes about ¾ cup.
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Quick Links
» Summer Salads
» Main Dish Salads
» Quick Dips & Dressings
