Tag Archives: salads

Autumn crunch pasta salad from chelseasmessyapron.com

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AUTUMN-CRUNCH-PASTA-SALAD
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach (half a 10 ounce bag)
  • 1 and 1/2 cups dry small pasta
  • 3/4 cup chopped celery
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges
  • 1 large Granny Smith Apple
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1/3 cup pecans
  • Optional: Feta cheese
Dressing
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 2-4 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon each: paprika, onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a food processor or blender (I used my small Twister jar on the Blendtec) combine the oil (the vegetable oil yields a richer and in my opinion better taste, but the olive oil is healthier and still tastes great), apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, sugar, (adjust — more or less to personal preference, we like a less sweet dressing and use about 2 tablespoons) paprika, and onion powder. Pulse or blend for about 10 seconds. Stir in the poppyseeds.
  3. Drain the pasta once it’s cooked through and immediately toss a few tablespoons of the dressing with the pasta. This helps the pasta soak in the dressing and the flavor.
  4. Chill the dressed pasta in the fridge.
  5. Meanwhile, combine the (washed and de-stemmed) spinach with the chopped celery in a large bowl. Add in the cranberries and a can of drained mandarine oranges.
  6. If desired peel the apple (We like to leave on the peel!) and then slice into thin slices. Toss with lemon juice and then add to the salad.
  7. Pour dressing over the salad and toss. Add in the completely cooled pasta and toss with the rest of the salad.
  8. If you want to toast the pecans, place them in a single layer in a dry saucepan (don’t add anything) over medium heat. Stir constantly until the nuts are barely fragrant — just a couple of minutes. Watch carefully as the nuts are VERY easily scorched/burned.
  9. Alternatively, you can candy the pecans if desired. Check the link in the last paragraph of the blog text for how to candy pecans.
  10. Top the salad with the pecans and feta cheese.
  11. Enjoy immediately.  Serves: 6-8 as a side
NOTES
This salad (like most) aren’t very great leftover. If you aren’t eating this immediately, keep the ingredients separate from the dressing and only toss with the dressing right before eating. Top with pecans and feta after dressing the salad.

Smoked Corn and Black Bean Salad

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  • 3 or 4 eaFD-smokesignalsJuly150181435429156rs smoked corn 
  • 1/3 cup diced sweet onion
  • 1/2 cup seeded, diced green bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup seeded, diced red bell pepper
  • 1 teaspoon minced, seeded and stemmed serrano pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 16 ounces cooked or canned, no-salt-added black beans (if using canned, drain, rinse and dry on paper towels)
  • 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro leaves
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or more as needed
  • 3 or 4 grindings of black pepper, or more as needed

Scrape enough kernels from the ears to yield 3 cups. Transfer to a large bowl; discard the cobs or reserve for making broth (see related recipe). Add the onion, bell and serrano peppers, garlic, black beans, cilantro, oil, lime juice, salt and pepper (to taste); toss gently to incorporate.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (and up to 5 days). Taste, and adjust the seasoning as needed; serve chilled or at room temperature.

 

Roz’s Caprese Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Basil

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RosalindCorieriPaigeCaprSaladCopyrighted1

  • 4 – 5 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves
  • 1 lb fresh imported Italian mozzarella, cut into ¼ – ½” cubes
  • ¼ cup extra virgin, first preseed Italian olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar for a more mild flavor)
  • 10 – 15 large fresh basil leaves (to taste)
  • Italian sea salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh Italian bread
  1. Toss together the tomatoes, mozzarella, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
  2. Tear the basil into large pieces and toss into the salad.
  3. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  4. Serve immediately (can be refrigerated to serve a little bit later too).
  5. Serve with fresh, crusty Italian bread

 

Spinach and Berries Salad with Dill, Phyllis Keating

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spinach_and_berries_salad_w_dillRed Wine Vinaigrette
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
2 clove garlic
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoons pepper
1/4 teaspoons dry mustard
1/4 teaspoons onion powder

Salad
1 cup almonds
1 pounds baby spinach
1 pounds butter lettuce
1 bunch scallions
1/2 pints strawberries
1/2 pints raspberries
1/2 pints blueberries
1/4 c dill weed

Toast the almonds for about 5 minutes at 350F . Cool. Toss the almonds, spinach, lettuce, onions, fruit and dill week in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette just before serving and toss to coat.  Serving Size: 8

Compressed Watermelon Salad from the washington post

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  • One 16-ounce block peeled,seedless watermelon
  • Kosher saltwmelon
  • 4 cups torn frisee
  • 1 cup cubed whole-milk mozzarella
  • 2 tablespoons raw, shredded coconut
  • FOR THE DRESSING
  • 1/4 cup plain rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

For the watermelon and salad: Cut the watermelon into 2-inch squares that are 1/3-inch thick. Sprinkle them lightly with salt on one side. Lay the squares on flat surfaces that can fit inside the zip-top bags. Seal, pressing out as much air as possible. Place something on top of the bags that will provide gentle, even pressure, such as a plate with a few 15-ounce cans or a few bags of frozen peas on top. Freeze for 2 hours.

When the watermelon is ready, it will look flatter and have a denser texture. Transfer to a serving bowl; add the frisee and toss gently.

For the dressing: Whisk together the vinegar, sugar, lemon zest and juice, and oil in a liquid measuring cup to form an emulsified dressing.

Pour half of the dressing over the watermelon and frisee; toss gently to coat. Scatter the mozzarella cubes and coconut on top.

Serve right away; pass the remaining dressing at the table.

Soba Salad With Seaweed, Cucumbers, and Asparagus from serious eats

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  • 1 pound asparagus, 20150605-seaweed-pasta-salad-daniel-gritzer-13-thumb-625xauto-423921woody ends trimmed
  • 1/2 ounce dried wakame seaweed (see note above)
  • 300 grams (about 10 1/2 ounces) dried soba noodles
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh juice from 2 lemons
  • 2 tablespoons canola, vegetable, or grapeseed oil
  • 1 (1 1/2-inch) knob fresh peeled ginger, grated
  • 1 large English cucumber, ends trimmed, quartered lengthwise, and thinly sliced into quarter-moons
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, plus more for garnish
  • 2 scallions, white and light green parts thinly sliced on the bias
  • Kosher salt

  1. Place wakame in a medium bowl and cover with plenty of warm water. Let stand until softened and rehydrated (about 10 minutes), then transfer to a fine mesh strainer to drain. In a large pot of salted boiling water, blanch asparagus until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Using tongs, transfer to an ice-water bath to chill. Slice chilled asparagus into 1 1/2-inch lengths on a slight bias.

  2. In a new pot of salted boiling water, cook soba noodles until tender, according to package instructions. Drain in a colander and rinse with cold running water until chilled.

  3. In a small mixing bowl, stir together soy sauce, sesame oil, lemon juice, canola oil, and ginger. Drain wakame and squeeze out excess water with your hands.

  4. In a large bowl, combine soba noodles, asparagus, wakame, cucumber, sesame seeds, and scallions and toss well. Season with salt and serve, sprinkling more sesame seeds on individual plates, if desired.

Dante’s Potato Salad Recipe adapted from

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“Feeding the Fire: Recipes & Strategies for Better Barbecue & Grilling,” by Joe Carroll and Nick Fauchald

Feature-Image-Potato-Salad-Feeding-The-Fire-Dinner-Party-Entertaining-Joe-Carroll-Spuyten-Duyvil-St.-Anselm-Fette-Sau-Brooklyn-Williamsburg-NYC-BBQ-Grilling-Outdoor-Cooking-Recipe¼ cup, plus 1 tablespoon, olive oil, divided
1 large Spanish onion, diced
4 pounds Yukon Gold or other waxy potatoes
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons whole-grain mustard
¼ cup cider vinegar
Pinch of cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons finely chopped chives

1. In a large skillet over medium-low heat, warm 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until translucent and just tender, 8 to 10 minutes. You don’t want the onion to brown. Transfer the onion to a bowl and let cool.

2. In a large saucepan, cover the potatoes with water by 1 inch and season generously with salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain the potatoes and transfer them to a cutting board.

3. While the potatoes are cooling, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mustard, vinegar and cayenne. Slowly whisk in the remaining ¼ cup of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.

4. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them into ½-inch dice.

5. Toss the warm potatoes and reserved onions with the vinaigrette. Add the chives, season with salt and pepper, and toss again. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 day.  Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Spinach Salad with Bosc Pears, cranberries, red onion and hazelnuts from epicurious.com

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355430Dressing

  • 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries
  • 8 cups lightly packed fresh baby spinach leaves, stemmed if needed
  • 2 firm but ripe Bosc pears (do not peel), quartered lengthwise, cored, and cut into long, thin slices
  • 2/3 cup hazelnuts, toasted and chopped

To make the dressing, in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Cover tightly and shake vigorously to blend. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Set aside.

Place the onions in a medium bowl and cover with cold water. Let stand for 30 minutes. This crisps the onion and takes away the raw onion taste. Drain well and pat dry on paper towels.

In a small bowl, toss the cranberries with 2 tablespoons of the dressing to soften them. Set aside for at least 20 minutes or until ready to serve the salad.

To assemble the salad, place the spinach, onions, and pears in a large bowl. Give the remaining dressing a last-minute shake and pour over the salad. Toss to coat evenly. Arrange the salad in a large serving bowl or divide it evenly among 8 salad plates. Scatter the cranberries and hazelnuts over the top(s). Serve immediately.

Cook’s Notes
You can substitute unsalted cashews for the hazelnuts. Toast cashews, as directed above for hazelnuts, for 8 to 10 minutes until lightly browned.

The dressing can be made up to 1 day in advance, covered tightly, and refrigerated. Remove from the refrigerator 2 hours before serving. The nuts can be toasted up to 1 day in advance; store at room temperature in an airtight container. The onions and cranberries can be prepared up to up to 4 hours in advance. Set aside at room temperature.

 

Caesar Salad Dressing

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2 small garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (I like the brand Maille)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann’s
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Add the mayonnaise, Parmigiano-Reggiano, salt and pepper and whisk until well combined. Taste and adjust to your liking.

By Jennifer Segal, adapted from Gourmet magazine
Servings: Makes 1-1/3 cups

The Only Vinaigrette You’ll Ever Need from Zach Pollack

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1. Purée all the non-oil ingredients of a vinaigrette together in a Vitamix or blender—Pollack likes to use white wine vinegar, lemon juice, dried oregano, garlic and anchovy, but the recipe is very flexible—along with one soft-boiled (six-minute) egg.
2. Slowly drizzle in the oil while continuing to blend.

The result: a rich, creamy dressing that’s perfect for hearty winter greens like kale, radicchio or even more delicate choices like butter lettuce.