Category: Salads

Fennel and Citrus Escarole Salad

Fennel and Citrus Escarole Salad

This salad is a crisp and refreshing break from some of the heavier winter meals. Escarole is a mildly bitter green that blends really nicely with the sweeter green leaf lettuce. You’ll be more likely to find escarole at a specialty grocery store. The lettuce heads that I used were a little on the smaller side, so I used closer to ¾ of the head. If you are able to find larger ones, ½ will probably be sufficient.

I love blood oranges – they are a cheery and bright spot during the slow winter produce months. If you can find blood oranges, this is a great way to use them, otherwise Cara Cara or Navel oranges will still be delicious.

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Summer Spinach Salad with Hummus

Summer Spinach Salad with Hummus

This salad is a great way to use up some of that summer garden produce. I used lemon cucumbers because that’s what I had from my garden, but any cucumber variety will work nicely. Spinach bunches can vary quite a bit in size, so make adjustments if what you have seems like too much or not enough.

You can use store-bought hummus, but if you have time to make your own, it’s worth the extra effort. This salad is especially good with warm hummus spooned over the top. The hummus acts as a type of dressing and helps the salad feel more substantial.

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Cherry Tomato and Pluot Farro Salad

Cherry Tomato and Pluot Farro Salad

Any pluot (a cross between a plum and an apricot) or plum will work well in this salad. Make sure that your fruit is nice and ripe – let it sit out for a day or two if you need to. The flesh should be tender but not squishy. The cherry tomatoes should also be fragrant and ripe. Store-bought cherry tomatoes will work, but if you can find a friend with a garden, all the better.

I like the addition of marjoram here, it has an anise-like quality to it that backs up the fennel nicely. However if that’s not a favorite flavor of yours, use less or leave it out all-together.

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Nectarine Salad

Nectarine Salad

Nectarines may be one of my favorite summer fruits (although I tend to say that about a lot of things). This salad is a delicious excuse to eat more of them! Look for nectarines that are fragrant and whose flesh gives just a little. Nectarines will also ripen sitting out on the counter. You can adjust the amount of goat cheese to your preference, but don’t leave it out entirely – it helps “dress” the rest of the salad. Continue reading “Nectarine Salad”

Watermelon Arugula Salad

Watermelon Arugula Salad

I love adding fruit to my salads but nothing dominates the dish quite like the watermelon. This salad is delicious but very moist (i.e. watermelon) so don’t toss everything together until you’re ready to sit down to eat. This makes a great summer side dish alongside grilled meat, tacos, or burgers. It’s also a refreshing meal all by itself. Continue reading “Watermelon Arugula Salad”