When you’re asked to bring a salad to a get-together, what do you picture first: lettuce, pasta, potato, or whipped topping? Did you even know that whipped topping could be considered a salad component? Depending on which region of the country you live in, or your family’s quirky traditions, often what graces the “salad” table is a concoction of candy bars, marshmallows, canned pineapple chunks, or worse – pineapple chunks suspended in gelatin. Needless to say, we’re going to offer you salad recipes that fall on the opposite end of the spectrum. No need to get approval from your dentist for these. Let’s dive in!
You know how your grandma used to write recipes down? A handful of this, a little bit of that? That’s how we’re going to give it to you. Play around with proportions. What matters is that you choose quality ingredients to make the best salads. Enjoy!
Bacon Cauliflower Salad
Depending on who you’re serving this to, you can market it as a bacon salad, or a cauliflower salad. Either way, you won’t have to sell it for long; it’s so good. In a large bowl, mix in 1 head of iceberg lettuce (chopped), ½ red onion (diced), 2 cups chopped fresh cauliflower, a good handful of Parmigiana Reggiano (grated, sliced, shaved, whatever), however much bacon you want (cooked, chopped). Add in the dressing (½ cup mayonnaise and ¼ cup sugar) right before serving. YOU’RE WELCOME.
Fresh Mozzarella and Tomato
This is so simple, and you’ll find a ton of variations for the recipe. But don’t get caught up in the details, just make it! It’s so simple and so delicious. Dice fresh tomatoes and peeled cucumbers, and mince some red onion (or thinly slice). Find some fresh mozzarella at your local store, and add that (cut however you want). Then add fresh basil (chiffonade it if you're fancy or rip it up into bits with your hands if you're not), salt, pepper, and olive oil. That’s it!
Avocado Black Bean Salad
Serve this as a side salad or a dip for tortilla chips. Cut up a couple tomatoes, red onions, and avocados. Add some corn (thawed, freshly grilled, canned, whatever). Add a can of drained black beans. Squirt some lime juice over it all, with some salt and pepper. And, if you're into it, fresh cilantro! YUM.
Watermelon Lime Salad
So you can serve the watermelon in wedges or cut up in a salad bowl. But the fanciness comes in when you zest a couple limes into a small bowl and let the zest dry for about half an hour. Then mix in 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle this goodness over your watermelon, and serve. If you’re really feeling special, add some ground chili powder, or red pepper flakes. ;-) Thanks for the inspiration Pioneer Woman!
Now go make these! They will likely be a summer staple for you. Especially the bacon one. Mmmm.