Yummm! Scintillating, Scrumptious Salads!!!

A couple of weeks ago, Chris and I had a ridiculously amazing side salad from The Spot in Brooklyn. On paper, it sounds completely bland and boring (we forgot to pick salad dressings): spinach tossed in light lemon juice and olive oil. But the taste was EXTRAORDINARY.... so much so, that I actually put down my cajun fries in favor of the salad (And some of y'all know I loves my cajun fries!). After eating that, I've been on a quest for green ever since. I have assembled a loverly listing of salads that are not too difficult to make at home, delicious, AND best of all.... super good for you!

Herb Salad with Feta, Roasted Red Peppers, and Toasted Nuts

Recipe Courtesy of Epicurious.com

Ingredients:

1 5-ounce container herb salad mix
1 cup coarsely chopped roasted red peppers from jar
1/2 cup walnut halves or pecan halves, toasted
1 10.5-ounce jar feta cheese in oil with herbs and spices
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Directions:

Combine herb salad mix, chopped roasted red peppers, and toasted walnuts in large bowl. Drain feta cheese, reserving oil-and-spice mixture from jar. Sprinkle feta cheese over salad. Whisk 3 tablespoons reserved oil-and- spice mixture with red wine vinegar in small bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad and toss to coat thoroughly. Season salad to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Divide salad among plates and serve.

Grilled Chicken and Rice Salad

Recipe Courtesy of Fitness Magazine

Ingredients:

1 recipe Thyme Vinaigrette*
12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken breast halves or thighs
1 cup loose-pack frozen French-cut green beans
2 cups cooked brown rice and wild rice blend, chilled
1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 green onion, sliced
Lettuce leaves (optional)

Directions:

Prepare Thyme Vinaigrette*. Brush chicken with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette; set aside the remaining vinaigrette until ready to serve.

Grill chicken on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 12 to 15 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink, turning once halfway through grilling. (Or broil on the unheated rack of a broiler pan 4 to 5 inches from the heat for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through broiling.) Cut chicken into bite-size strips.

Meanwhile, rinse green beans with cool water for 30 seconds; drain well. In a large bowl toss together beans, cooked rice, artichoke hearts, cabbage, carrot, and green onion. Pour the remaining vinaigrette over rice mixture; toss to gently coat.

If desired, arrange lettuce leaves on 4 dinner plates. Top with the rice mixture and chicken.

*Thyme Vinaigrette: In a screw-top jar combine 1/4 cup white wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons water; 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese; 2 teaspoons snipped fresh thyme; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1/4 teaspoon salt; and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cover and shake well.

Green Goddess Salad

Recipe Courtesy of Eating Well

Ingredients:

1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as tarragon, sorrel and/or chives
2 teaspoons tarragon vinegar, or white-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon anchovy paste, or minced anchovy fillet
8 cups bite-size pieces green leaf lettuce
12 ounces peeled and deveined cooked shrimp, (21-25 per pound; see Ingredient note)
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
1 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed
1 cup rinsed and chopped canned artichoke hearts
1/2 cup chopped celery

Directions:

Puree avocado, buttermilk, herbs, vinegar and anchovy in a blender until smooth.
Divide lettuce among 4 plates. Top with shrimp, cucumber, tomatoes, chickpeas, artichoke hearts and celery. Drizzle the dressing over the salads.

Spinach Salad with Grilled Mediterranean Vegetables

Recipe courtesy Danny Boome, Food Network

Ingredients:

1 small orange bell pepper, seeded and quartered
2 large Portobello mushroom caps, stemmed, sliced
1 small summer squash, cut on bias
1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed and quartered
1/4 cup olive oil, plus more to taste
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup feta cheese, diced
1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted
3 cups baby spinach
1 cup packed basil leaves

Directions:

Place all vegetables in a large mixing bowl. Add 1/4 cup oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Toss well making sure each vegetable gets covered with oil. Place a grill pan over medium heat. Once heated, place your vegetables on grill and cook accordingly: grill mushrooms about 5 minutes per side; peppers and squash about 3 minutes per side.

Once all the vegetables are grilled place them in a large serving bowl to slightly cool. Dice and add feta cheese, pitted olives, spinach and basil leaves. Gently toss to mix well and drizzle more oil, to taste, if necessary and serve.