Salads

Corn and Summer Vegetable Sauté

This is a perfect summer dish that uses veggies fresh from the farmer's market!  

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 cup chopped green onions (about 4)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup sliced fresh okra (about 4 ounces)
1 cup chopped red bell pepper (about 1)
1 finely chopped seeded jalapeño pepper
1 cup fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears)
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

See the entire recipe and directions at My Recipes.

Veggie Hemp Sushi Salad

If you're looking for something a little different for lunch, this is it!  Plus, hemp seeds are delicious and are a great source of protein and omega 3's!

  • 2 tbsp Hemp Oil
  • 1/2 cup Shelled Hemp Seeds
  • 2 cups Sushi Rice, cooked according to package directions
  • 1 Cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 2 tbsp Rice Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Tamari
  • 2 sheets Toasted Nori, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup Green Onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup Pickled Ginger, cut into small strips
  • 2 tbsp Hot Pepper Sesame Oil (optional)
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Ginger, grated (optional)

Read the entire recipe and directions at Manitoba Harvest.

Simple German Cucumber Salad

This salad is light and tasty and is a snap to put together!  It's a welcome addition to any summer meal!

  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons white or apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large cucumbers, peeled, very thinly sliced
  • 1/2 sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill weed, chopped (or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried)

See the entire recipe and directions at Fearless Fresh.

Buckwheat Garden Salad

Buckwheat is such an underappreciated grain!  It's full of fiber and minerals and is a satisfying part of this unique and very filling salad.

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup buckwheat groats
2 cups water
½ tsp salt
½ chayotte or cucumber, finely diced
12 large green olives, pitted and quartered
1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
50g walnut, chopped
½ cup fresh dill, chopped
2 tbs fresh mint, chopped
juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

To see the full recipe and directions, go to The Healthy Foodie.

 

Raw Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Raw apple cider vinegar is amazing for your health!  It's full of enzymes and nutrients and promotes an alkaline state.  It helps to aid digestion and many people have found it to help with weight loss.   This recipe is an easy way to add some raw apple cider vinegar to your diet (we recommend Bragg's, it's the best)!

Ingredients:

1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1-2 tablespoons raw honey, as needed for sweetness
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

To see the entire recipe and directions at Detoxista.

Honeydew Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

This is one of my favorite fruit salads.  It's so unique, and the different flavors meld wonderfully together.   

1/2 medium honeydew, seeded, flesh scooped with a melon baller
1/2 medium English cucumber, seed membrane scraped out, cut into half moons
1/2 pound seedless green grapes, cut in half (about 1 1/2 cups)
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 teaspoon canola or olive oil
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspoon honey
1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
4 large fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced

Read the entire recipe and directions at Serious Eats.

Powerhouse Bulgur Salad with Orange Vinaigrette

Bulgur is a wonderful, quick cooking, high fiber, and high protein grain!  

Ingredients:

1 cup bulgur
2 cups water
2 cups torn kale
1 apple, chopped
½ cup chopped pecans
¼ cup dried cranberries
1 chopped avocado (optional)
¼ cup crumbled goat cheese (optional)

For the vinaigrette:
Juice of 1 orange
3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon minced ginger
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

To see the complete recipe and directions go to the Neighbor Food Blog.

The Ultimate Detox Salad

I don't know if a better detox salad than this exists, it is that good.  It is full of flavor and antioxidants, and will surely help to put you on the right track after the indulgences of the holidays.

For the dressing:
1/3 cup grapeseed oil
1/2 cup lemon juice, fresh
1 tablespoon ginger, peeled and grated
2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup, optional
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

For the salad:
2 cups dinosaur kale, tightly packed and thinly sliced
2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
2 cups broccoli florets
2 large carrots, peeled and grated
1 red bell pepper, sliced into matchsticks
2 avocados, peeled and diced
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 cup walnuts
1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Read the complete recipe and directions at The Roasted Root.

Apple and Cabbage Detox Salad

Eating clean can be absolutely delicious.  This salad can help to both detox the body and aid in boosting metabolism while helping you to feel full.

1/2 head Savoy cabbage
1/2 head red cabbage
1 Fuji apple
1/4 red onion
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1/2 cup golden raisins

For the dressing:
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons agave nectar
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Read the complete recipe and directions at Fit Sugar.

Barley Salad with Herbs

This is a great salad recipe that's light enough for a hot day in September, but is nice and filling.  Barley is a wonderful, fiber filled grain that will help you to feel fuller, longer.

 

1 1/2 cups pearl barley (not quick-cooking)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots (about 1 medium)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 cup roughly chopped fresh herbs

Read the full recipe and directions at Martha Stewart.

Natural Salad Dressings: Sweet Asian Dressing and More

I had a customer ask for some healthy salad dressing recipes, since she was allergic to soy (and many prepackaged dressings contain soy).  In doing some research I came across this webpage, which has a full list of healthy, natural salad dressings which are easy to make and don't require exotic ingredients.  I'm partial to the Sweet Asian dressing which I've reposted below, but she has several others on the site which sound delicious!

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Sweet Asian Salad Dressing

1/3 cup olive oil

3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons soy sauce

2 teaspoons honey

Pinch of dried ginger or 1/2 tsp fresh zested ginger root (preferable)

Spices to taste

Read the complete recipe and directions at Wellness Mama


Black Bean and Brown Rice Salad

This salad is great on its own or makes a fantastic wrap for lunch or dinner!

  • 1 1/2 cups home-cooked black beans, or 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drain and rinse
  • 3 cups cooked and cooled brown rice, cooked to package directions (optional quinoa)
  • 1 1/2 cups finely grated raw zucchini
  • 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 14 teaspoon black pepper
  • Kosher or sea salt to taste
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Read the complete recipe and directions at skinnyms.com


 

Ina Gartens Orzo with Roasted Vegetables

Orzo is a wonderful pasta, and it pairs perfectly with fresh vegetables.  This is a light and different salad to enjoy this summer!

inasalad

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 small eggplant, 3/4-inch diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, 1-inch diced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, 1-inch diced
  • 1 red onion, peeled and 1-inch diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/3 cup good olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 pound orzo or rice-shaped pasta

For the dressing:

  • 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (juice of 2 lemons)
  • 1/3 cup good olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

To assemble:

  • 4 scallions, minced (white and green parts)
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 3/4 feta cheese (Ina says "good" feta, not crumbled, but I used crumbled - sorry girlfriend)
  • 15 fresh basil leaves, cut into julienne

Read the complete recipe and directions at andtheycookedhappilyeverafter.com

Black-Eyed Pea Salad with Tomatoes and Peppers

I love black eyed peas.  They’re full of protein and fiber and are absolutely delicious.

•    3 tablespoon(s) olive oil
•    2 tablespoon(s) balsamic vinegar
•    1 clove(s) garlic, finely chopped
•    1 teaspoon(s) granulated sugar
•    Kosher salt
•    Pepper
•    2 can(s) (15 1/2 ounces each) black-eyed peas, rinsed
•    2 plum tomatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
•    1 small red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
•    1 jalapeño (seeded for less heat, if desired), finely chopped
•    1/2 cup(s) roughly chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

 


Read the complete recipe and directions at Delish.com

Spring Buckwheat Salad

buckwheatsalad

1 cup whole buckwheat groats
2 cups water
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 large handful fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
juice from 1/2 lemon, or more to taste + more for the asparagus
1 drizzle cold-pressed olive oil or rapeseed oil + more for the asparagus
1 tbsp honey, preferable unheated
1 bunch asparagus (approx. 15 spears)
4 thin slices wholegrain sourdough rye bread
1 bunch radishes (approx. 15), sliced
1 lb. strawberries, sliced
10 slices of shaved parmesan cheese
1 small handful pea sprouts


Read the complete recipe and directions at greenkitchenstories.com

Four Grain Salad

This is a fantastic salad that makes a great lunch.  Fiber and unprocessed grains do not cause spikes in blood sugar and can help you to feel full longer, aiding weight loss.

  1/2 cup brown rice

  1/2 cup black heirloom rice

  1/4 cup barley

  1/4 dried winter wheat berries

  1 large sweet onion, rough chopped

  6 ounces grape tomatoes, sliced

  4 green onions, sliced

  1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

  6 ounces sliced white mushrooms

  Kosher salt

  Freshly ground black pepper

  ½ cup toasted chopped pecans (optional)


Read the complete recipe and directions at saltedandstyled.com

Rye, Kale and Pomegranate Salad

This salad is gorgeous!  Also, here's a great way to deseed a pomegranate quickly and easily.

1.5 cups raw rye grain
small bunch kale, washed and stems and ribs cut off
1/2 pomegranate, seeds recovered
few sprigs of lemon thyme
1 tbsp pomegranate balsamic
1 tbsp lemon extra-virgin olive oil

Dressing

2 tbsp lemon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 tsp dry mustard
pinch of salt
freshly ground black pepper


Read the complete recipe and directions at scandifoodie.blogspot.com

Corn Tomato Salad with Cumin-Lime Dressing

This is a fantastic end of summer salad!

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3 ears of corn, shucked
Extra virgin olive oil 
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
pumpkin seeds, for garnish
3-4 medium tomatoes (heirloom if available), roughly chopped
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced, rinsed under cold water (helps to remove the bite), drained, patted dry
handful of basil leaves, roughly chopped

 

Cumin-lime dressing (recipe to follow)


Read the complete recipe and directions at Wild Greens and Sardines.