I always grow way too much basil. As soon as the weather is hot, these plants grow like weeds. I don’t like to see the leaves turn brown and wither, so I am constantly thinking of ways to use this wonderful scented herb. Of course, there is always basil pesto in my refrigerator or freezer, of which I make plenty. It is wonderful in the winter on spaghetti. But just using basil for pesto all summer gets boring.
Basil is the perfect complement to tomatoes, olives, olive oil, capers, garlic, cheese and summer vegetables. Serve it slivered over thick tomato slices with a drizzle of olive oil or serve it sandwiched between thick slices of fresh mozzarella and fresh tomato with a sprinkling of pine nuts, capers and a drizzle of olive oil.
Here are some of the ways I try to make use of this flavorful herb.
Fresh Tomato and Basil Dressing
Makes about 1 1/2 cups
Serve this light dressing over a fresh green salad with a slice of warm garlic bread on the side.
Ingredients
- 1 medium tomato, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 clove garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.
Tomato, Watermelon and Basil Appetizer
:6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 (4 to 5 pound) watermelon, cut into 32 (1 1/2-inch cubes)
- 32 small basil leaves (or torn larger leaves)
- 16 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt
- 16 (6-inch) skewers
Directions
Combine the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat and set aside to cool.
Starting with the watermelon squares, push the watermelon to the very tip of the skewer, then skewer a basil leaf; then a tomato half. Continue with another watermelon, basil leaf and tomato half. Place the skewer on a serving platter so it stands upright, using the lowest watermelon square as a base. Continue with the remaining skewers.
Drizzle the skewers with the reserved balsamic syrup and the olive oil. Sprinkle with coarse salt. Serve.
Chilled Basil Melon Soup
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 6 cups chopped honeydew
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped fresh basil, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup lime juice, plus more to taste
Directions
Put all the ingredients in a blender and purée, stirring often, until very smooth. Transfer to bowls and serve. Alternately, transfer to a container, cover and chill before serving.
Spaghetti with Tomatoes, Basil, Olives and Fresh Mozzarella
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pitted black olives, halved
- 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
- 1 pound spaghetti
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds vine-ripened tomatoes (about 6), chopped
- 3/4 pound fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/4-inch cubes, at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups chopped fresh basil
Directions
In a large glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes with the mozzarella, basil, olives, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the spaghetti until just al dente, about 12 minutes. Drain, add to the tomato mixture and toss.
Heat the oil in a small frying pan over moderately low heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Pour the oil over the pasta and toss again. Serve immediately or at room temperature.
Brown Rice Salad
This salad makes an excellent side to grilled fish or meat.
Serves 6
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups cooked long-grained brown rice
- 1/2 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped seedless cucumber
- 1/2 cup sliced radishes
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup frozen and thawed peas
- 1/2 cup chopped basil
- 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Directions
Combine the ingredients for the dressing in a jar. Shake vigorously.
Put the cooked rice and vegetables into a large serving bowl and toss gently to combine. Add the dressing and mix well. Chill until ready to serve.
Steak with Italian Salsa Verde
Serves 4 to 6
You’ll have some salsa verde left over, so enjoy it on chicken, fish or vegetables as well as the beef in this recipe. This is a sauce you will want to have on hand, so I would even double the recipe.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 1 anchovy fillet, cut into pieces
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 pounds sirloin steak
- 5 cups baby field greens
Directions
In a food processor, purée the parsley, basil, garlic, capers and the anchovy fillet. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Slowly add the olive oil, pulsing until completely combined. Add lime juice and pepper. Process until blended and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. The anchovy will contribute salt, so additional salt may not be needed. Set sauce aside.
Season the steak with salt and pepper and grill, broil or pan fry to your liking. Slice it thinly and drizzle with salsa verde. Serve over greens.
Lemon Basil Sherbet
Makes about 1 quart
Ingredients
- 1 cup half-and-half or light cream
- 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon zest
- 8 fresh basil leaves, divided
- 2 cups whole milk
- Juice of 3 lemons, chilled
- Pinch fine sea salt
Directions
In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the half-and-half, sugar, honey and lemon zest. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Remove the pan from the heat and add 4 whole basil leaves. Using the back of a large spoon or ladle, bruise the basil leaves against the bottom of the pot. Cover and let steep 15 minutes.
Remove the basil leaves and discard, then whisk in the milk. Place the mixture in an ice-water bath or refrigerate until completely chilled.
Slice the remaining 4 basil leaves in very thin strips. Whisk the lemon juice into the chilled sherbet base, add the sea salt and stir in the sliced basil. Taste for sweetness; adjust by adding an additional tablespoon or two of honey, if needed.
Freeze the sherbet mixture in an ice-cream maker, following manufacturer’s instructions. For optimal flavor and texture, freeze the sherbet for a couple of hours before serving.
Salads are
- a great source of fiber
- an excellent way of getting multiple fruit and veggie servings
- a filling dish that usually has a low-calorie count
But, having a salad alone doesn’t ensure good nutrition. Too much cheese, fried meats and bread can ruin a healthy salad. Another culprit is the salad dressing itself. Store-bought dressings have lots of trans fats, sugars, artificial ingredients and a surprising number of calories.
So, what’s a health-conscious, calorie-conscious person to do?
Start from scratch! Homemade salad dressings give you the flexibility to use fresh, natural ingredients and make healthy substitutions where they are needed.
Salad dressing is one of those foods where we tend not to notice how much we’re putting on and, if you’re watching calories, they can add up fast. One tip for keeping serving sizes reasonable: It really only takes a small amount of an oil-based dressing to coat the leaves of a salad. The trick is to put a small amount in a bowl and toss the salad very well. This not only uses less oil, it tastes better when the salad has an even coating of dressing instead of being poured on the top.
It’s quite surprising how much sugar and other carbohydrate can be added to salad dressings, so keep sweeteners to a minimum.
The best oils for salads dressings have high amounts of monounsaturated fats. Olive oil is probably the best choice, at 73% monounsaturated fat and it also has other good-for-you nutrients. Canola oil has 59% monounsaturated fat.
In the summer when fruits, vegetables and fragrant herbs are in abundance, homemade dressings are refreshing drizzled over just about anything. When you think healthy, you don’t think creamy, cheesy salad dressings. But, there are definitely ways to balance taste and nutrition without giving up either. Making healthy substitutions to your salad dressing is not as challenging as it may seem. In fact, it’s rather easy.
Herbs (dill, chives, rosemary), spices, garlic and shallots help add flavor to any salad dressing. Red or white wine vinegar, lemon or orange juice (or any citrus) and chicken or vegetable stock are low-fat and can replace some of the oil when making a vinaigrette. Mustards like Dijon can also replace a portion of oil as well as add thickness to the dressing. Classic vinaigrettes generally contain a 3-to-1 or 4-to-1 ratio of oil to vinegar. Using some of the ingredients mentioned above, you can bring those calorie numbers down, yielding a healthier and more flavorful dressing.
Tofu might not seem like an obvious substitution choice, but pureed in the blender it’s a perfect base for a creamy dressing. Tofu is also a great source of protein and calcium. Low-fat sour cream and low-fat plain yogurt also make good substitutions in creamy dressings, like Thousand Island.
The key is to reduce the high calorie and fat ingredients and bump up the ingredients that add flavor and texture.
Balsamic Herb Vinaigrette
Balsamic vinegar, a reduction that comes from grapes, is a low-calorie liquid; a tablespoon only has about 14 calories. Additionally, it’s low in sodium and fat, making it an excellent base for a healthy salad dressing.
Ingredients
- 4 cloves of minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves or 1 tablespoon of minced fresh oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves or 1 tablespoon of minced fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Whisk everything together and set aside until you are ready to make a salad.
Creamy Herb Dressing
I like this drizzled over seafood salads.
Makes ½ cup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons refrigerated egg substitute or 1 large pasteurized egg yolk
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup (packed) fresh dill leaves
- 1/2 cup (packed) fennel fronds
- Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
Directions
Pulse egg, garlic and vinegar in a food processor until smooth. With motor running, gradually drizzle in oil and process until emulsified. Add dill and fennel and process. Add a tablespoon of water, if needed, to make the dressing the consistency of heavy cream; season with salt and pepper.
Orange-Poppy Seed Dressing
Delicious over a fruit salad.
Makes 1 cup
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup fresh orange juice
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
Directions
Combine first 5 ingredients in a blender; process until blended. Pour into a serving bowl and stir in the poppy seeds.. Cover and refrigerate.
Blue Cheese Dressing
Excellent over roasted beets.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup light sour cream
- 2 tablespoons olive oil mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and chill.
Homemade Coleslaw Dressing
Dressing makes enough for half a medium cabbage and one carrot, shredded.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon finely minced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dry yellow mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon celery seed
Directions
Combine all ingredients. Cover and chill.
Mix with your favorite coleslaw ingredients the day you are planning to serve the coleslaw. Chill the coleslaw before serving.
Healthy Caesar
Yield:1 cup – 8 Servings
Ingredients
- 2 ounces cubed Parmesan
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 11/2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
- 11/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Pinch kosher salt
- Pinch freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup silken soft tofu
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Starting on the lowest speed, chop the cheese cubes in the blender until it settles into the bottom of the jar, gradually increasing the speed. Add the garlic down the chute and chop until minced.
Next, add the mustard, white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, salt,pepper and tofu to the blender and blend until smooth. While the blender is running, drizzle olive oil down the middle and blend until it reaches salad dressing consistency.
Dressing for Salads with Fruit and Nuts
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons walnut oil
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Whisk together the vinegars, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk in the oils. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Thousand Island Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons minced red bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- Pinch of cayenne
- Salt to taste
- 1/4 cup water
Directions
In a blender or food processor blend all ingredients and salt, if needed, until smooth, adding up to 2 tablespoons additional water, if necessary to thin to a desired consistency.
Yogurt-Feta Dressing
Good over sliced cucumbers and tomatoes.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces feta cheese
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
- Zest and juice of 1 lemon
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper.
Directions
In a blender or food processor, combine feta, yogurt, 1/4 cup olive oil, mint, lemon zest and juice; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Blend or process until smooth, adding more oil if you need it to reach a smooth consistency.
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If you’re looking for something lighter, healthier and tastier than typical grilled fare, think about cooking up a salad on the grill. Not only can you cook the obvious chicken breast or steak for your salad, but the grill also does wonders with vegetables, fruits and even sturdy lettuces.
Grilling gives the ingredients a hint of smoke, a touch of char, that regular salads just don’t have. I like to make my dinner salads with protein, so I cook chicken, steak and fish on the grill. Don’t stop there, though: veggies and fruit go on too.
Any vegetable you like to oven-roast is a good candidate for the grill. Think: onions, peppers, potatoes, eggplant, fennel and asparagus. Grill thick slices until marked on both sides, then reduce heat (or move to a cooler part of the grill) and cook until tender. Try grilling sturdy greens like romaine and escarole. A few minutes on the grates makes them delightfully smoky and pleasantly wilted.
To keep food from sticking, oil a paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub on the preheated grill rack. Don’t use cooking spray on a hot grill. To prep veggies for the grill, toss them with oil so they brown nicely and don’t dry out.
For smaller items like cherry tomatoes use skewers to keep them from falling through the grates. A Grill Basket is also great for small vegetables. Just place mushrooms or onion slices into the basket and stir occasionally until done.
Meat Substitutes
Tofu, tempeh, veggie dogs, veggie sausage and veggie burgers all taste great when cooked on the grill!
- Meat substitutes tend to stick to the grill, so be sure to use a light brushing of oil to help prevent sticking. A non-stick grate or foil packets lightly coated with oil can also be helpful.
- When grilling tofu, use firm or extra-firm and press it prior to cooking to remove as much of the moisture as possible.
- Grill over a preheated grill (not too hot!) for 5-7 minutes per side. Place the tofu directly over moderately hot coals or use the indirect heat method. Rotate or move it to a cooler part of the grill during cooking as necessary to ensure that the outside doesn’t cook too quickly.
- Try marinating tofu overnight or for quicker turnaround time, 30 minutes will get the job done.
- Burger and hot dog alternatives grill up fairly quickly over indirect heat. Follow instructions on the packaging, as ingredients and cooking times may vary.
Grilled Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 2 flat anchovy fillets, drained and chopped
- 1 small garlic clove, chopped
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 (1/2-inch-thick) slices baguette
- 1 large pasteurized egg
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
- 3 hearts of romaine (18 ounces)
- 1 ounce finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (1/2 cup)
Directions
Purée anchovies, garlic, oil, salt, and pepper in a blender until smooth.
Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (moderate heat for gas).
Brush both sides of baguette slices with some of anchovy dressing, then grill bread, turning over occasionally, until toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Add egg and lemon juice to dressing in blender and blend until emulsified, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt.
Cut romaine hearts in half lengthwise, then grill, cut sides down, covered only if using a gas grill, until grill marks just appear, about 2 minutes. Cut romaine crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips and transfer to a bowl.
Halve or quarter toasts and add to romaine along with Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Toss salad with just enough dressing to coat and serve immediately.
Grilled Pork and Peach Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 medium peaches or nectarines, pitted, and cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon each ground black pepper and salt
- 3 cups torn fresh Bibb lettuce
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/4 cup bias-sliced green onions (2)
Directions
On four 10-inch skewers, thread pork cubes. On three more 10-inch skewers, thread peach cubes. For a charcoal grill, place skewers on the grill rack directly over medium coals.
Grill, uncovered, for 8 to 10 minutes or until peaches are browned and for 10 to 12 minutes or just until pork is slightly pink in the center, turning occasionally.
(For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place skewers on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as directed.)
Meanwhile, in a large bowl stir together the honey, orange juice, mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper. When pork skewers are done, remove pork and peaches from skewers and place in honey mixture; toss to coat.
To serve, arrange lettuce and spinach on serving plates. Spoon pork and peaches evenly over greens. Sprinkle with green onions. Makes 4 servings.
Grilled Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
- 4 medium skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
- Steak seasoning
- 8 cups mesclun or spring salad greens or spinach
- 3/4 cup seedless red grapes, halved
- 1/3 cup crumbled goat or feta cheese
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
Directions
For vinaigrette, in a screw-top jar combine oil, vinegar, dill, garlic, pepper, and oregano. Cover and shake well; let stand 1 hour.
Meanwhile, sprinkle chicken breast halves lightly with steak seasoning. Grill chicken on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals or in a closed gas grill for 12 to 15 minutes or until tender and no longer pink (165 degrees F), turning once. Cool slightly.
Arrange salad greens on 4 plates; top with grapes, cheese and pine nuts. Slice each chicken breast and arrange one sliced breast on each salad. Shake dressing and drizzle over the salads. Makes 4 servings
Grilled Salmon Penne Salad
Ingredients
- 10 ounces fresh or frozen skinless, boneless salmon fillet or other fish fillet
- 1/4 cup raspberry vinegar or any flavor vinegar that you like
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 6 ounces dried penne pasta (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup bias-sliced, trimmed fresh asparagus spears or any vegetable in season
- 1 cup fresh raspberries or sliced fresh strawberries
- Cracked black pepper
- 2 green onions, sliced
Directions
Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse fish; pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, honey, mustard, garlic, and pepper. Remove 2 teaspoons of the oil mixture for brushing on the fish; set aside remaining oil mixture to toss with pasta.
Preheat an outdoor grill. Place fish directly on the greased grates or in a foil grill pan. Brush the 2 teaspoons oil mixture over fish. Grill fish with closed cover. Allow 4 to 6 minutes per 1/2-inch thickness of fish.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions, adding the asparagus for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain well. Return pasta mixture to saucepan. Pour remaining oil mixture over pasta; toss to coat.
Flake cooked salmon. Add salmon to pasta; toss gently. Cover and chill for 2 to 4 hours.
To serve, add berries to pasta mixture; toss gently to mix. Sprinkle with green onions and cracked black pepper. Makes 4 servings.
Grilled Summer Vegetable Salad
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
- 1 medium onion, cut into 1/2-inch-thick wedges*
- 2 green and/or red sweet peppers, halved, stems, membranes, and seeds removed
- 6 large cremini mushrooms, stems removed
- 3 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
- Fresh thyme
Herb Vinaigrette:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon snipped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon snipped fresh thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon snipped fresh rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash ground black pepper
Directions
Herb Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, cider vinegar, snipped fresh parsley, snipped fresh thyme, snipped fresh rosemary, salt and dash ground black pepper.
In a very large bowl, combine eggplant, onion wedges, sweet peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Add olive oil and cider vinegar. Toss to coat vegetables.
Place vegetables on greased of an uncovered grill directly over medium-hot coals or on a covered gas grill. Grill for 3 minutes; turn vegetables. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes more or until vegetables are tender.
To serve, cut each pepper half into 3 strips. Arrange vegetables on a platter. Drizzle with Herbed Vinaigrette. Serve warm or at room temperature. If desired, garnish with fresh thyme. Makes 4 servings.
*Leave onion wedges attached at the root end to hold wedges together.
Grilled Marinated Flank Steak Salad
Ingredients
Creamy Basil Dressing, recipe below
- 1 lb beef flank steak
- 4 small yellow and/or red sweet peppers, stemmed, seeded, and halved
- 2 ears fresh corn, husked and silks removed
- 4 green onions, trimmed
- Olive oil
- 8 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cups torn romaine lettuce
- Fresh basil sprigs
Directions
Divide dressing in half.
Trim fat from the steak. Score both sides of the steak in a diamond pattern by making shallow diagonal cuts at 1-inch intervals. Place steak in a resealable plastic bag. Pour one portion of the dressing over the steak in the bag; set remaining dressing portion aside. Seal bag; turn to coat steak. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Brush sweet pepper, corn, and green onions with olive oil.
For a charcoal grill, grill steak and corn on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals until steak is desired doneness and corn is tender, turning steak once halfway through grilling and turning corn occasionally.
For steak, allow 17 to 21 minutes for medium rare (145 degrees F) to medium (160 degrees F). For corn, allow 15 to 20 minutes. Add sweet pepper halves to the grill for the last 8 minutes of grilling and green onions to the grill for the last 4 minutes grilling, turning frequently.
(For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place meat and, later, vegetables on grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as above.)
Thinly slice meat against the grain. Coarsely chop sweet peppers and green onions; cut corn from cob. Serve meat, vegetables and tomatoes over romaine lettuce. Drizzle with the reserved portion of the dressing. Garnish with basil sprigs. Makes 4 servings
Creamy Basil Dressing
Makes about 1 cup
Ingredients
- 2 cups loosely packed fresh basil
- 3 tablespoons chopped shallot
- 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 12 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
Grilled Shrimp & Plum Kebabs
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated lime zest
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 16 raw shrimp, (8-12 per pound), peeled and deveined
- 4 hot peppers or jalapeño peppers, stemmed, seeded and quartered lengthwise
- 3-4 plums, depending on size, pitted and cut into sixths
- 1 bunch arugula, washed, dried, and torn
Directions
Whisk oil, oregano, lime zest, lime juice and salt in a large bowl. Set aside 4 tablespoons of the mixture in a small bowl to use as dressing. Add shrimp, jalapeños and plums to the remaining marinade; toss to coat.
Preheat grill to medium-high.
Make 4 kebabs, alternating shrimp, hot peppers and plums evenly among four 10-inch skewers. (Discard the marinade.) Grill the kebabs, turning once, until the shrimp are cooked through, about 8 minutes total.
Mix the arugula with the reserved dressing. Divide onto 4 plates and top each with a shrimp kabob. Makes 4 servings
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A salad is only as good as the quality of its ingredients. To make a truly great salad, you’ve got to use ingredients that are fresh, ripe and in season.
If you think salads are limited to watery lettuce and a few chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, think again. There are endless amounts of wonderful combinations and you can make a salad as simple or as complex as you like. Spend a minute thinking about the contrasts of tastes and textures in the ingredients you are choosing and what sort of dressing you want to use, so you end up with something delicious and exciting every time.
THE BASE OF YOUR SALAD
The ingredient that forms the bulk of your salad is the base. And when we hear the word ‘salad’, lettuce is often the first ingredient that comes to mind because it is used as a base for so many salads. Oakleaf, cos or romaine lettuce and baby mixed lettuces, also make great salad bases, as do chicory, radicchio, arugula, watercress, baby spinach, tiny red-veined chard leaves, mustard leaves, pea shoots and sorrel. But plenty of salads don’t have any lettuce in them at all. You can make beautiful salads using cooked new potatoes, couscous, lentils, shredded cabbages or any other robust interesting vegetable. Use your imagination and you’ll never be bored.
PREPARING AND WASHING SALAD LEAVES
Wash your salad leaves before using them. Make sure your sink is clean then fill it with cold water. Gently wash the salad leaves in the water until they are clean and then transfer them to a salad spinner and spin dry. If you don’t have a salad spinner, put them into a clean tea towel, gather the edges up and spin it around your head. Make sure the leaves are dry – if they aren’t, the salad dressing won’t cling to them. Keep them in the refrigerator or bowl under a damp cloth until you’re ready to use them.
WHAT ELSE CAN YOU ADD TO A SALAD?
Raw crunchy veggies, like carrots or radishes, are great in salads. But they can be quite hard if they’re in big pieces, so finely slice them or shave them into ribbons with a peeler. Beets, spring onions, cucumber, squash and celery all work well. Cooked vegetables are also fantastic in salads. Peas, beans, asparagus and corn, cooked very quickly so they are not mushy, add flavor and color. Grilled slices of zucchini or pepper or even chunks of roasted squash or pumpkin also make salads much more interesting.
Adding soft herbs at the last-minute adds loads of extra flavor. Basil, tarragon, parsley, dill, mint or even thyme or marjoram tips are all great choices.
It’s also nice to add a bit of protein to a salad, especially if you’re having it as a main meal. Use your imagination; there are really no limits to what you can include. Try a few slices of smoked salmon, shredded roast chicken, cooked shrimp, hard-boiled eggs, buffalo mozzarella, crispy bacon, cannellini beans, lentils or crumbled goat cheese.
For a bit of crunch, try adding a few nuts or seeds. Toasted or flaked almonds, pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, crumbled walnuts and chopped cashews all work well.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DRESSING
Think of your salad dressing as the link that brings all the ingredients in your salad together. There are loads of ready-made bottled dressings available in the markets, but it’s so easy to make your own, so try to get into the habit of doing that rather than buying them. Store-bought dressings are likely to contain lots of hidden ingredients and may be high in calories and sugar. Plus if you make your own, you can tweak it every time to suit the other ingredients in your salad.
The easiest way to make your salad dressing is in a clean jar. Just add all of your ingredients, pop the lid on and give it a good shake!
Most salad dressings contain an oil element – such as extra virgin olive oil, nut oil or sesame oil – and an acid element, such as balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, or lemon or lime juice. Aim for a ratio of 3 parts oil to 1 part acid, then add any other ingredients you fancy. Half a teaspoon of Dijon mustard or some finely chopped fresh herbs or chillies can add loads of flavor. If you want a slightly creamy dressing, try stirring a spoonful of natural yogurt into the dressing.
Once dressed, salad leaves can wilt after a few minutes, so always add your dressing right before serving. If you want to ensure a really good even coating, using clean hands, quickly toss everything together. Just make sure you don’t add all of the dressing at once; add a little, mix it up, then have a taste before deciding whether you need to add more. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away.
Mediterranean Pita Salad
Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, crushed with a press
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- Pinch ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce (about 1 large head romaine)
- 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 4 radishes, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
- 2 pita breads, toasted and broken into bite-size pieces
Directions
In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, coriander and pepper. Whisk in oil in a slow, steady stream until blended.
Add romaine, mint, parsley, tomatoes, radishes, green onions, cucumber and toasted pita and toss until blended. Serve immediately.
Steak Salad with Yogurt-Lemon Dressing
6 servings
Ingredients
Dressing:
- 2/3 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Steak:
- 1 rib-eye, strip loin or top sirloin steak (about 12 ounces)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Salad:
- 4 cups finely chopped hearts of Romaine lettuce
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 avocado, pitted and diced
- 1/4 cup pitted and sliced Kalamata olives
- 4 ounces crumbled feta
Directions
To make dressing:
Whisk yogurt, garlic, lemon zest, olive oil, vinegar, thyme, salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl until smooth. Thin with up to 3 tablespoons of water so it dribbles off a spoon. Let stand at room temperature at least 15 minutes to develop flavors. (Can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.) Makes 1 cup.
To prepare steak:
Preheat a gas or charcoal grill for high heat, pat steak dry and season with salt and pepper. Grill 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to a plate and let rest 10 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
To prepare salad:
Make a bed of romaine on a large serving platter and sprinkle with parsley. Arrange cucumber, tomato, chickpeas, avocado, olives and feta in mounds and place steak strips in the center. Pass the dressing on the side.
Crab Salad with Lemon Dressing
Serves 2
Ingredients
Crab
- 1/2 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 dashes hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
- Salt and pepper
- 8 ounces lump crabmeat
Salad
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 shallot, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons champagne or white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives, more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 pound baby Yukon gold potatoes, scrubbed
- 1/3 pound thin green beans, trimmed
- 1 bunch arugula
- 1 bunch endive, chopped in 1/2-inch-thick slices
- 3 radishes, thinly sliced
- 1 fennel bulb, trimmed, halved and cut into thin wedges
- 2 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and finely chopped
Directions
For the crab:
Stir together shallot, hot sauce, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice and chives in a medium bowl. Add crabmeat and lightly toss. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill.
For the rest of the salad:
Whisk together mustard, shallot, vinegar, chives and lemon juice. Slowly whisk in olive oil until dressing slightly thickens. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Steam Yukon gold potatoes until tender when pierced with a fork. While potatoes are still warm, pour a tablespoon or two of dressing over them.
Steam green beans until tender. Transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain thoroughly. Combine green beans with arugula, endive and radish. Toss with a tablespoon of dressing.
Toss fennel with remaining dressing in a small bowl. Check over the crab for any pieces of shell.
To serve:
Arrange greens on a platter or individual plates. Top with crab, fennel and eggs. Garnish with chives and serve immediately.
Couscous Salad with Zucchini and Parsley
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups boiling water
- 1 cup whole wheat couscous
- 5 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 small zucchini
- 1/4 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo Beans (also called chickpeas), rinsed and drained
Directions
In a large, heatproof bowl, pour water over couscous, cover and set aside for 5 minutes. Uncover, fluff with a fork and set aside to let cool for 5 minutes more.
Meanwhile, whisk together vinegar, tahini and salt in a second large bowl.
Thinly slice zucchini over dressing and then use kitchen shears to snip parsley leaves into the bowl; discard stems.
Add tomatoes, beans and couscous and toss gently to combine.
Grilled Chicken and Wheat-Berry Salad
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup wheat berries, rinsed and drained
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups baby spinach leaves, divided
- 1 cup green apple, peeled and cut into julienne strips
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 4 (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken or turkey breasts
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Cucumber Yogurt Dressing
- 1 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber
- 3 tablespoons plain low-fat Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon dried dill
Directions
Combine the first 3 ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring mixture to a simmer; cover and cook for 2 hours, 15 minutes or until wheat berries are almost tender.
Drain and place in a salad bowl; discard bay leaf.
For the salad dressing:
Place all ingredients in a blender and process until the mixture is smooth. Refrigerate dressing in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Preheat grill.
Coarsely chop the spinach leaves. Add spinach, apple, bell pepper and 3 tablespoons of the cucumber dressing to the wheat berries and toss well.
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Place chicken on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 5 minutes on each side or until done. Thinly slice chicken.
Arrange chicken evenly over salad mixture; sprinkle with green onions. Pass dressing on the side.
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There are many secrets to making a great potato salad. Often people leave it to chance or just pick up some from the deli – this can be a hit or miss proposition, as we have all had the not-so-good deli version. Making your own will give you a taste for the very best and you will never want to settle for deli potato salad again.
Some tips for making great tasting potato salads:
Use waxy potatoes (i.e., fingerlings, red potatoes, Yukon Golds) instead of starchy potatoes (i.e., russet), if you want them to hold their shape when you toss the potatoes with the dressing.
Lighten up the dressing by using a mixture of reduced-fat mayonnaise and low-fat yogurt. The yogurt gives the salad a nice tang. Vinaigrettes are an excellent alternative to creamy dressings.
Another important tip is to leave the potatoes whole and cook them thoroughly. Drain well and set the potatoes aside, until they are just cool enough to handle.
While the potatoes are still warm, cut them into bite-sized pieces (it is not necessary to peel them) and toss with a little vinegar, pickle juice or lemon juice to infuse the potatoes with flavor.
Other flavor boosters without fat to add to potato salads are onions, chives, capers, olives, mustard, herbs or pickles.
Add some veggies: red bell pepper and celery are naturally low in calories and will give your salad appealing crunch and color.
Be creative and add some interesting, non-traditional ingredients. On warm summer days, these salads are perfect for dinner.
Chicken, Red Potato and Green Bean Salad
4 servings
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon whole-grain Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 garlic clove, minced
Salad:
- 1 pound small red potatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 pound diagonally cut green beans
- 2 cups sliced or cubed grilled or poached chicken (about 8 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons chopped red onion
- 1 (10-ounce) package mixed baby salad greens (about 6 cups)
Directions:
To prepare dressing:
Combine first 8 ingredients, stirring well with a whisk.
To prepare salad:
Place potatoes in a saucepan; cover with water. Add 1 teaspoon salt to the pan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes or until the potatoes are almost tender.
Add beans and cook an additional 4 minutes or until beans are crisp-tender. Drain well.
Quarter potatoes. Place the potatoes, beans, chicken, onion and greens in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing; toss gently to coat. Serve without chilling.
Farm Stand Potato Salad
8 servings
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon country-style Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seeds
Salad:
- 1 3/4 pounds fingerling potatoes
- 1 cup sugar snap peas, trimmed
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
- 1/4 cup diced yellow bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Directions:
To prepare dressing:
Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.
To prepare salad:
Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover with water. Add a little salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until tender. Remove potatoes from pan with a slotted spoon to a colander.
Add sugar snap peas and broccoli florets to pan. Reboil and cook 1 minute; drain.
Cut potatoes into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Add a little dressing to the potatoes and let rest while you prepare the other vegetables.
Then, combine potatoes, peas, broccoli, bell peppers and green onions in a large bowl. Add remaining dressing; toss well.
Quick Potato Salad with Shrimp and Feta
4 servings
Dressing:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salad:
- 5 cups small red potatoes, quartered (about 1 1/2 pounds)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound medium shrimp, cooked and peeled
- 3 cups thinly sliced romaine lettuce
- 1 cup red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
- 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped pitted kalamata olives
Directions:
To prepare dressing:
Combine dressing ingredients, stirring well with a whisk.
To prepare salad:
Arrange potatoes in a single layer on a microwave-safe dish; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
Microwave at HIGH 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Place potatoes in a large bowl.
Add shrimp and 1 tablespoon dressing; toss gently to combine. Let rest for 5-10 minutes.
Add remaining dressing, lettuce, bell peppers, onion and cheese; toss gently to coat. Top salad with kalamata olives.
Lemon-Arugula Potato Salad
If you want to make this potato salad ahead, prepare the recipe without the arugula. Once the potato mixture is completely cooled, cover and refrigerate. Toss with the fresh arugula just before serving so the greens do not wilt or get bruised.
Add some grilled steak for a complete meal.
6 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 7 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1/2 cup finely chopped shallots (about 3 small)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
- 2 teaspoons stone-ground mustard
- 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 1/2 cups loosely packed arugula
Directions:
Peel the potatoes, if you wish, and cut them into 1 inch pieces Place potatos in a medium saucepan; cover with cold, salted water to 2 inches above potatoes. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and gently simmer 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain potatoes.
Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon oil to the pan; swirl to coat. Add shallots to pan; saute 3 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
Combine shallots, vinegar, mustard, lemon rind, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Gradually add remaining 2 tablespoons oil, stirring constantly with a whisk until combined.
Drizzle dressing over warm potatoes; toss gently to coat. Cool completely.
Add arugula to potato mixture; toss gently. Serve immediately.
Cobb Potato Salad
Great side dish for grilled entrees.
6 to 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 pound baby red potatoes, quartered
- 1/3 cup sliced green onions
- Blue cheese vinaigrette, divided
- 2 large avocados
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 6 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
Directions:
Make Blue Cheese Vinaigrette, directions below.
Cook potatoes in boiling salted water to cover 15 to 20 minutes or until tender; drain. Toss potatoes with green onions and 1/3 cup of the blue cheese vinaigrette; season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill 2 to 24 hours.
When ready to serve, peel and chop avocados; toss with lemon juice. Mix lettuce with avocado mixture and tomatoes and add a little blue cheese vinaigrette. Toss gently.
Arrange lettuce mixture on a large serving platter; top with the potato mixture and drizzle with remaining vinaigrette. Sprinkle with bacon.
Blue Cheese Vinaigrette
Makes about 1 1/4 cups
- 7 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 cup crumbled blue cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy small skillet over medium heat. Add 2 teaspoons minced garlic and saute until golden, about 1 minute.
Transfer garlic mixture to blender. Add 1/2 cup blue cheese, white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon water, sugar, hot pepper sauce, salt, pepper and remaining 6 tablespoons olive oil; blend well.
Transfer vinaigrette to bowl. Mix in chopped basil and remaining 1/2 cup of blue cheese. (Vinaigrette can be prepared 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
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Think beans are just for cold weather?
Think again. In a crispy cool bean salad, beans are lighter, yet still as filling. This side-dish favorite can be prepared in countless ways. So pick your bean base from one of the choices below and then try one the recipes in this post:
Kidney: For a meatier main dish, mix these rich beans with barley, fresh green peppers and a can of tuna and then top with an olive oil and lemon dressing.
Black: For a Tex-Mex style salad, simply mix beans with corn, tomatoes, green onions, fresh cilantro and top it all off with a sprinkling of lime juice and olive oil.
Green: Crisp and garden fresh, green beans will give your salad lots of crunch. Toss them with cherry tomatoes, soft feta cheese and grilled corn. Add a lemon-mint vinaigrette to really bring out the flavors.
Pinto: Make a spicy salad by mixing pinto beans with cherry tomatoes, pepperoncini peppers, onions, celery and fresh parsley. Toss in an herbed vinaigrette and add a splash of Tabasco for extra flavor.
Garbanzo: A highly versatile bean, garbanzos are great mixed in couscous with roasted bell peppers, red onions, cucumbers and feta cheese. Toss in a honey-Dijon dressing to finish.
Beans are eaten around the world with all kinds of flavorings and accompaniments. Black beans, for example, seem well-suited to Mexican style salads, while the flavors of the Mediterranean—green beans, anchovies, basil, thyme and fruity olive oil—enhance creamy white beans. Indian flavors—cumin, ginger, yogurt and cilantro—are great for chickpea salads as are Middle Eastern flavors—garlic, parsley, olive oil and feta.
You can easily make these salads by opening a can or two of beans and mixing them with seasonings and your favorite salad dressings. However, 1 cup dried beans gives you 2-1/2 to 3 cups cooked beans and, with the exception of chickpeas which actually take well to canning, most beans suffer, becoming quite mushy when canned. When you use canned beans, you also miss a chance to add extra flavor to your salads. Including a few aromatic vegetables and seasonings in the pot when cooking dried beans is an opportunity to add depth and character to the final dish. If you do use canned beans, try a few brands to see which you like best. The organic ones taste better and usually have little or no salt. Just remember to always rinse canned beans well before using.
Most beans improve in flavor and texture when cooked a day in advance. If you plan to hold them for a day or so, refrigerate the beans in their cooking liquid once they’ve cooled. If kept at room temperature for too long, beans can sour and ferment.
To soak or not to soak?
Soaking dried beans in water overnight before cooking them has two benefits: most soaked beans cook faster—up to an hour less. Also, if the soaking water is poured off, the beans will be easier to digest because you’re leaching out and pouring off the oligosaccharides that cause gas.
If you are not good at planning ahead, there’s a quick-soaking method. Cover the beans with water and bring them to a boil. Boil for two minutes and then let them soak for an hour off the heat, drain, and then add fresh water and continue cooking.
Many people believe dried beans last forever. In fact, very old beans and those that have been stored in hot, humid conditions might never soften even after hours of cooking. Yet it’s almost impossible to tell the age of dried beans. If you have a good market that goes through beans quickly, you’d do well to buy them there. Heirloom beans are available by mail from small growers.
To salt or not?
A major debate exists in the culinary world on whether adding salt or acids to beans slows down the cooking time or toughens the beans. Cook’s Illustrated did a study and concluded that salt has no effect on cooking time or bean texture. Furthermore, they suggest that for maximum flavor, it’s actually essential to salt your beans at the beginning rather than the end of of cooking. Also, when soaking beans, Cook’s Illustrated says that by using salt water, the bean will cook up with softer and more pliable skins.
Tomato sauce, wine, lemon juice and vinegar, however, do prevent the starch on the inside of the bean from swelling and becoming tender. These ingredients can be added to bean salads, but not until the beans are fully cooked and soft. And speaking of acidic ingredients, don’t dress cooked beans until the day you are serving the salad. Though the beans need some time to absorb the flavor from the dressing, too much time in contact with the acidic ingredients—and this includes yogurt—will make the beans mushy.
After cooking the beans and letting them cool in their broth, strain them and mix them with summertime ingredients, such as basil, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn and chiles from the farmers’ market. These salads are good for a light lunch along with some bread—crusty Italian with white bean salads, warmed tortillas with the black beans or and pita with chickpea salads.
Consider experimenting with a pot of cooked beans to create your own salad. Try some of the recipes below for a different side dish to add interest at your next BBQ. These recipes also make use of the many fresh vegetables that are available this time of year.
Basic Method For Cooking Dried Beans
Use this basic method to cook any type of dried bean, including cannellini, kidney beans, chickpeas, and more. 1 cup dried beans yields about 3 cups.
Ingredients:
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, smashed
2 to 3 sprigs fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or flat-leaf parsley)
1 to 1-1/2 cups dried beans, sorted through, rinsed and soaked
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions:
Wrap the bay leaves, garlic,and herbs in cheesecloth and tie with twine. Put the beans in a large pot and cover with water by 2 inches (about 2 quarts). Add the herb bundle and the salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to maintain a very gentle simmer, cover, and cook until the beans are tender but not splitting and falling apart, 1 to 2 hours depending on the type and freshness the of beans. Cannellini and kidney beans take about 1 hour and 15 minutes; chickpeas may take up to two hours. Best way to tell is to taste one of the beans. Check occasionally to be sure the beans aren’t boiling and that they are covered with liquid; add water if needed. Discard the herb bundle.
Black Bean Salad
Serves 4 – 6.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 small jalapeño, seeded, deveined and chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 -3 big handfuls baby salad greens, well washed and dried
- 3 cups cooked black beans
- 1/4 cup feta, crumbled
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
Directions:
Making the dressing: I use an immersion blender – but a blender or food processor will work just as well. Combine the lime juice, vinegar, honey, jalapeño, salt, garlic and mustard. Puree and add the olive oil and puree again until everything comes together. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed. Set aside until you are ready to serve the salad.
Just before you are ready to serve the salad, gently toss the salad greens with a small amount of the dressing. Arrange it on a platter. Now toss the beans and most of the almonds with the remaining dressing. Arrange the beans on top of the salad greens and finish by sprinkling with the remaining almonds and the crumbled feta cheese.
Bean Salad with Walnuts and Pecorino Cheese
If you can find yellow wax beans use half green and half yellow.
6 servings
Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon minced shallot
- 4 1/2 teaspoons Sherry wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon walnut oil
Salad:
- 1 ½ lbs green beans, trimmed
- 8 cups (packed) torn arugula leaves
- 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted, chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh savory leaves or fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives, cut in half
- 2 ounces semi-firm sheep’s-milk cheese (such as pecorino romano), shaved with vegetable peeler
For dressing:
Whisk shallot, vinegar and mustard in small bowl. Gradually whisk in both oils. Season dressing with salt and pepper.
DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature and re-whisk before adding to the salad.
For salad:
Cook green beans in large pot of boiling salted water just until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer beans to colander and cool.
Combine beans and arugula in large bowl. Toss with dressing. Transfer salad to serving platter; sprinkle with walnuts, olives, herbs and pepper. Top with shaved cheese.
Chickpea Salad with Yogurt Dressing
Serves four to six
If you use canned chickpeas in place of dried, don’t cook them. Add the turmeric and salt to them (but not the onion or bay leaves) and continue with the recipe as directed. Toast the whole spices in a heavy-based skillet just until fragrant; crush them with a mortar and pestle or grind them coarsely in a coffee grinder dedicated to spices.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas, well rinsed (soaked and drained), or 3 cups canned (see note above), rinsed and drained
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 2 bay leaves, crumbled
- 1 small yellow onion, cut in half
- Kosher salt
- 3 small potatoes (about 8 oz. total)
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seeds, toasted and coarsely ground
- 1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds, toasted and coarsely ground
- 1 medium-size hot green chile, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh mint
Directions:
In a deep, heavy-based pot, cover the chickpeas with 6 to 8 cups cold water. Add the turmeric, bay leaves, yellow onion and 1 tsp. salt. Over high heat, bring to a boil; reduce to a gentle simmer, skimming any foam that rises to the surface. Cover and cook until the beans are tender, about 90 minutes; let cool in the broth.
In a heavy-based pot, cover the potatoes with salted water. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook until tender, about 20 min. Drain. When cool enough to handle, peel and cut them into small cubes.
In a small bowl, combine the yogurt and sour cream. Add the ginger, cumin, fennel and chile. Mix well.
Drain the chickpeas, discarding the onion and bay leaves. In a serving bowl, combine the chickpeas, potatoes, cucumber and red onion. Mix in the yogurt dressing, cilantro and mint. Combine well. Let sit for 15 minutes. Taste and add more salt if needed. Serve at room temperature.
Make Ahead Tips ; The beans can be cooked a day ahead (in fact, the flavor and texture will be even better). Cool the beans to room temperature, then refrigerate them in their cooking liquid; bring to room temperature and drain before assembling the salad.
Warm Kidney Bean Salad
Try this bean salad as a side with barbecue pork or grilled chicken.
6 servings
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 cups onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 2 — (15-ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup green pimento-stuffed olives, sliced in half
Directions:
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion; sauté 5 minutes. Add oregano, vinegar and beans. Cook over low heat until beans are warm.
Remove from heat and stir in salt, parsley and olives. Serve warm or at room temperature.
White-Bean Salad with Zucchini
White beans add heartiness while chopped zucchini adds crunch to this vegetarian salad.
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 pound zucchini (about 2 small), trimmed, quartered lengthwise, and thinly sliced on the diagonal
- 4 ounces green beans, trimmed and thinly sliced on the diagonal (3/4 cup)
- 2 ounces fresh Parmesan cheese, shredded (1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces
- Grated zest and juice of 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
Directions
In a medium bowl, place cannellini beans, zucchini, green beans, Parmesan, basil, lemon zest and juice and oil; season with salt and pepper. Toss to combine.
Note: Small zucchini are sweeter than larger ones, especially when used raw.
Green Bean Salad with Prosciutto
4 to 6 servings
The flavor of Prosciutto di Parma, the most famous of the Italian hams, makes a delicious addition to this summery salad.
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut diagonally in half
- 1 medium summer squash, cut in matchsticks (about 2 cups)
- 6 radishes, thinly sliced
- 2 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced and cut into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Coarsely ground black pepper
Directions:
Steam beans in steamer basket over boiling water until crisp-tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Empty into a colander and cool.
Drain well, pat dry with paper towels and transfer to a large bowl. Add remaining ingredients and toss to combine.
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Salads are no longer the bowls of lettuce and tomatoes of yesterday. Today’s modern salads are full of zest and flavor and are often served as meals in and of themselves. Some of the most diverse salads are those that come from Italy. Authentic Italian spring salad recipes provide light, flavorful alternatives to heavier meals and bring a little taste of Old World Italy to your dining table, often with ingredients that are already in your kitchen.
A classic insalata mista (salad of mixed greens) often combines a variety of whatever salad ingredients are freshest and in season. Romaine and other Italian lettuces, Belgian endive, arugula, radicchio, dandelion greens, very young radish tops, sorrel leaves, chive flowers or fresh young herb leaves (oregano, basil or thyme) are a few of the possibilities.
Italian Salad Making Basics
Greens should be loosely wrapped in damp paper or cotton towels and refrigerated until shortly before the salad is to be prepared. Using wooden utensils will help avoid bruising tender greens.
Extra virgin olive oil is always the most essential ingredient and that is usually simply combined with white or balsamic vinegar or lemon, which is especially common in the central southern region of Italy. Only in the last generation or so have Italians begun to explore more elaborate vinaigrettes and dressings.
In any discussion of salad dressings, there are just a couple of things to keep in mind: Always apply the dressing just minutes before serving it, otherwise, the vinegar or lemon will wilt the lettuce leaves. Only dress the amount of salad you intend to eat. You can store the rest in the refrigerator with a wet kitchen towel on top of it. (Tupperware is perfect for storing salad; just be sure the lettuce is thoroughly dry.) If you have any leftover salad dressing, most can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days or more.
Another very important thing to remember before applying whatever dressing you choose, is that it is crucial that you thoroughly dry the lettuce after you’ve washed it; there is nothing worse than a salad with soggy lettuce. If you use a spinner-which is a really great invention-after the first spin, be sure to stop and turn the lettuce. Sometimes the leaves act as a kind of a screen, impeding the water from actually being expelled. If you spin and turn the lettuce a couple of times, you can be sure to enjoy a crisp salad later.
For most green salads, the serving bowl and individual salad plates should be chilled slightly, while the dressing should be at room temperature.
Classic Italian Vinaigrette
Yield: About 1 1/2 cups
Make this dressing up to a week ahead. Add it sparingly to greens along with cracked black pepper.
Ingredients:
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Coarse salt to taste
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground cracked pepper
Directions:
Combine lemon juice, vinegar and salt in small bowl or jar. Stir to dissolve salt. Whisk in olive oil. Let stand 10 minutes. Add pepper add additional salt, if desired.
Spring Salads
One of the most flavorful of traditional Italian spring salads is also one of the easiest to prepare. Insalata Caprese is a light, savory salad made from tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, olive oil and seasonings. To prepare: slice four large, ripe tomatoes into slices 1/4 inch thick. Slice 1 pound of fresh mozzarella cheese into 1/4-inch thick slices. On a large platter, place tomato and mozzarella slices along with fresh basil leaves in intermittent layers. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Before serving, sprinkle with cracked black pepper and sea salt to taste. Serve cold.
The most classic version of Italian spring salad contains fresh ingredients such as grated Parmesan cheese, fresh garlic and black olives. To prepare: in a medium-size bowl whisk together 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon of water, one clove of roasted and finely minced garlic and 1/2 teaspoon of dried, crushed oregano. As you whisk the combination, slowly add 4 teaspoons of olive oil. Set the mixture aside. In a large, separate bowl, combine 4 cups of mixed spring salad, one medium yellow bell pepper cut into thin strips, one fresh red onion cut into rings and 1/4 cup of fresh black olives. Toss salad until well mixed and then top with dressing mixture. Before serving, season with fresh ground black pepper and 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve cold.
Insalata Primavera is a light, but hearty salad that will easily substitute for heavier dishes for warmer weather lunches or suppers. To prepare: in a large bowl, combine 18 cooked, yet still firm, asparagus spears that have been chopped into 2-inch pieces, 1/2 pound of fresh green beans that have been cooked and cut in half, six cooked and sliced artichoke hearts, three large peeled and diced tomatoes and 1 thinly sliced peeled cucumber. In a medium-size glass jar, combine 2/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil, 1/3 cup of your favorite white wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped basil and salt and pepper to taste. Place a lid on the glass jar and shake vigorously until mixed well. Drizzle the dressing over the salad before serving. Serve cold.
Arugula Salad with Salami and Pecorino Cheese
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1/2 clove garlic, pounded to a paste with a pinch of salt
- 1-1/2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice; more as needed
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 bulb fennel, trimmed
- 4 large handfuls arugula, about 5 oz, washed and dried
- Kosher salt
- 4 oz piece of stick salami, cut into 1/8- to 1/4-inch dice
- 3 oz aged Tuscan Pecorino cheese, cut into 1/8- to 1/4-inch dice
Directions:
Combine the garlic and vinegar or lemon juice in a small bowl. Let sit for 10 minutes. Whisk in the oil. Taste and add more salt or vinegar, if necessary.
Just before serving, use a mandolin to thinly slice the fennel. In a large work bowl, combine the shaved fennel with the arugula, salami and cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss with just enough vinaigrette to lightly coat the greens.
With a delicate hand, transfer the salad to a platter or individual serving plates, making a fluffy pile of greens. Sprinkle the salami and cheese that have fallen to the bottom of the bowl on top. Serve immediately.
Tortellini Salad Italiana
Ingredients
- 2-9 oz packages fresh cheese and spinach tortellini (refrigerated, prepared according to package directions)
- 2 cups yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh small mozzarella cheese balls (bocconcini), halved
- 1 cup tomato vinaigrette dressing, recipe below
- 1/2 cup prosciutto, thinly sliced
- 12 cup basil, thinly sliced
- black pepper, fresh cracked
Directions:
Combine prepared pasta, bell peppers, cheese, vinaigrette, prosciutto, tomatoes and basil in medium bowl. Sprinkle with pepper. Refrigerate for 1 hour
Tomato Vinaigrette
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups extra virgin olive oil
- 4 cups fresh tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
- 4 tablespoons chopped tarragon leaves
- 4 tablespoons chiffonade basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons minced parsley leaves
- 2 minced shallots
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice
Directions:
In a nonreactive mixing bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, herbs, shallots, lemon juice and 1 1/4 cups olive oil. Mix to combine and season with salt and pepper.
Warm Bean Salad With Fresh Herbs and Olives
An excellent side dish to meat or fish. Also good with shrimp added to the salad.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cooked and drained white beans (or canned). If made from dried beans, save about 1/3 cup of cooking liquid.
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme
- Scant 1/3 cup bean cooking liquid, water or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and chopped
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 4 large fresh basil leaves, torn into small pieces or chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Place the beans in a medium nonstick skillet and set aside.
Prepare herb mixture. Combine olive oil and garlic in a small skillet and cook on low heat until garlic is soft, about 3 minutes.
Increase heat slightly and add rosemary and thyme. Cook until the herbs begin to sizzle- do not let garlic burn.
Add the bean cooking liquid (or other stock) and olives, increase heat and boil for two minutes. Remove from heat.
Scatter the parsley and basil over the beans in the other skillet. Pour the dressing over them and cook over medium-high heat until the liquid is almost all absorbed by the beans.
Remove from heat and add the lemon juice, salt and pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Italian Seafood Salad with String Beans
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3/4 pound shelled and deveined large shrimp
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 pound cleaned squid, bodies cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rings, tentacles halved lengthwise
- 1/2 pound bay scallops or quartered sea scallops
- 1 pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
- 1 1/2 pounds small clams scrubbed
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 pound mixed yellow wax and green beans, ends trimmed, beans cut into 2-inch lengths
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons shredded basil leaves
- 1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley
- Cayenne pepper
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions:
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil until shimmering. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the garlic and cook, stirring, until the shrimp turn a light pink, about 1 minute. Transfer the shrimp to a platter. Add the water to the skillet and cook over high heat, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Pour the pan juices into a bowl and wipe out the skillet.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the skillet. Add the squid and scallops. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add 1/2 teaspoon of the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 1 minute longer. Transfer to the platter.
Pour the reserved pan juices from the bowl into the skillet and cook over high heat, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. Add the mussels, clams and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of garlic and bring to a boil. Cover and cook over high heat until the shells open, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the mussels and clams to a large bowl; discard any that do not open. When the shells are cool enough to handle, remove the meat and add it to the platter.
Pour any accumulated shellfish juices into the skillet and bring the liquid to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat until reduced to 1/4 cup. Pour the liquid into a large bowl. Add the lemon juice and the remaining olive oil and let cool. Stir in all of the seafood and let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the beans until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and cool under running water; pat dry. Add the beans, basil, tomatoes and parsley to the seafood salad. Season with salt and cayenne and serve with lemon wedges.
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Native to the East Indies, endive and escarole were introduced into Egypt and Greece at a very early period and references to them appear in early history accounts. Escarole is a member of the leafy chicory family, widely cultivated in England from at least the 1500’s and is a popular green in Sicilian cuisine. The plants were, eventually, brought to America by colonists.
Endive is closely related botanically to chicory and the two names are sometimes incorrectly used as synonyms. Escarole is another name for a type of endive with broad leaves and “endive” is used to designate plants with narrow, finely divided, curly leaves. Equally confusing are the two types of endive plants that you will see in your produce aisle. These greens are used raw in salad, or may be cooked like spinach. The slightly bitter flavor adds zest to a mixed salad.
French Endive
Endive-Frisee

Chicory
The outer layers of the escarole plant are dark green but after peeling back a layer, it will reveal a slightly lighter shade of green. Each layer will reveal a slightly lighter shade of green, and as the leaves lighten in color, the bitterness will also significantly lessen. What this means is that in preparing a dish, one can use different layers of escarole in order to achieve a particular taste that one wants.
Few young people, these days, have ever heard of escarole and I wonder how many have ever tasted this leafy green. In the world of Italian-American foods, escarole may be second only to Sunday “gravy.” Escarole finds itself in soups, in recipes with beans and in stuffed versions. A very important use of escarole has been for a New Year’s Day soup, a soup that most Italian Americans called “Straciatella,” which means something like “rag soup.” The name comes from the way the greens and the beaten egg swirl about shapelessly in the chicken broth. Then, there is escarole and beans, one of my grandfather’s favorites.
Purchase and Care of Escarole
Choose firmly packed heads with unblemished leaves. Crispness, freshness, and tenderness are essential factors of quality. Wilted plants, especially those that have brown leaves, are undesirable, as are plants with tough, coarse leaves. Such leaves will be excessively bitter.
How to Store: Wrap escarole in paper towels and store in an unsealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to four days.
What are the health benefits of Escarole?
Escarole is rich in many minerals and vitamins, especially folate. A 1/2 cup serving of escarole provides 36 mg of folate.
Escarole is a good source of vitamin B complex, A, C, and K.
Escarole is high in fiber and is also an optimum source of minerals: potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, sodium, manganese, zinc, phosphorus, and selenium.
Escarole is fat free, low in carbohydrates and calories. It can be added to any diet plan and 100 grams of fresh leaves will only be around 17 calories
Escarole is enriched with a good amount of antioxidants that are derived from Vitamin A and beta-carotene. Vitamin A is also an essential vitamin for vision, healthy hair and glowing skin. Consumption of natural greens also protects from lung and oral cavity cancers.
So next time you are in the produce aisle, pick up a head of escarole and make one of the following recipes.
Sauteed Escarole
Serves: 4
Italians incorporate an abundance of vegetables into their diet. This is a very typical and simple preparation of a traditional vegetable. Serve as a side dish with your favorite entrée or a pasta with a hearty tomato sauce.
Ingredients:
- 2 heads escarole, about 1 3/4 lbs
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 tablespoons pine (pignoli) nuts
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed
- 2 teaspoons coarse salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
To prepare escarole:
Cut out the core of each head, then cut leaves into bite-sized pieces. Rinse leaves several times in cold water until all dirt has been rinsed off. Drain escarole of as much liquid as possible prior to sautéeing.
Combine olive oil and garlic in a large sauté pan and heat together over medium heat until the garlic begins to lightly brown. Be very careful not to burn garlic as it will turn bitter. Remove the garlic with tongs and discard.
Add the pine nuts, raisins, capers, and pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the pine nuts are golden and the raisins puff, about 1 minute. Add the escarole, increase the heat to medium high, and cook, tossing often, until heated through, 3 to 4 minutes. Cover the pan for a few minutes so that escarole can braise in its own liquid and lose some of its bitterness. Uncover and let liquid evaporate. Escarole is finished once it is tender (approximately 5 to 6 minutes). Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl.
Escarole and Beans
This dish is best served with warm crusty Italian bread.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large heads escarole, torn into bite sized pieces
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 (16 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped
Directions:
Wash escarole well in several changes of water
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add garlic and cook for one minute. Mix in escarole, turning to coat with oil. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes, or until tender.
Pour in beans and chicken broth, and simmer until creamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in parsley; simmer 10 minutes more.
Escarole Salad
Using marmalade in a dressing allows you to put a little sweetness into a salad without adding additional sugar. Orange Marmalades range in flavor and texture, so your dressing will vary, depending on which sort you choose. Some are more sweet, others more bitter. Use the marmalade you like best.
4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced shallots
- 3 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 1 teaspoon orange zest, plus more for garnish
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lukewarm water
- 1/2 pound small button mushrooms, sliced thin
- 4 ounces escarole (inner leaves are good for this dish), torn into bite-sized pieces (about 4 cups)
- 4 ounces baby spinach (about 4 packed cups)
- 1/2 cup toasted walnuts
- Flaky coarse sea salt
Directions:
Make the base for the dressing: In a small saucepan, combine the shallots, oil, 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt and a generous pinch of pepper. Heat over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until the shallots are very soft and just lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a medium heatproof bowl and let cool to room temperature.
When the shallots have cooled, add the marmalade plus the orange zest, the vinegar, lemon juice and 1/8 teaspoon each fine sea salt and pepper. Whisk well to combine, then whisk in the lukewarm water.
In a large serving bowl, combine the escarole and spinach. Add the dressing and toss. Season to taste with crushed flaky coarse sea salt and pepper, then add the mushrooms and walnuts. Gently toss to combine and garnish with extra orange zest, if desired.
Caponata-Style Escarole With Fish Fillets 
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
- 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless salmon fillets, (6 ounces each) other firm white fish fillets
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 3 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 large head of escarole (about 1 1/2 pounds), cored and coarsely chopped (about 10 cups)
- 10 anchovies (about 3 ounces), drained and coarsely chopped
- 10 oil-cured black olives, halved and pitted
- 2 tablespoons salted capers, well rinsed
- Flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish
Directions:
Thinly slice off both ends of one lemon. Cut into 8 thin slices. From remaining lemon, squeeze 2 tablespoons of juice into a bowl.
Heat oil in a large saute pan. Add the garlic to the oil and cook over moderate heat until deep golden, about 2 minutes; discard the garlic. Add the escarole to the pan along with the anchovies, olives and capers. Cook, stirring constantly, until the escarole turns bright green and wilts, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Arrange salmon or other fish fillets on top; season with salt and pepper. Place 2 lemon slices on each fillet. Cover, and cook until salmon is opaque throughout, about 15 minutes.
Transfer salmon to a plate. Stir lemon juice into escarole mixture. Serve fish over the escarole and garnish with parsley.
Stuffed Escarole
Ingredients:
- 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey breast
- 1 large head escarole (1 1/4 pounds)
- 3/4 cup Arborio rice
- 1/2 cup pine nuts (pignoli)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, coarsely chopped
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 3 tablespoons chopped rinsed capers
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten or 1/4 cup egg substitute
- 1 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, divided
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F with rack in the upper third of the oven.
Quarter escarole, lengthwise, leaving base attached, and rinse well. Cook in a medium pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 4 quarts water) 6 minutes. Drain and cool.
Meanwhile, bring 1 quart water to a boil with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt in a medium saucepan. Add rice and parboil, uncovered, 10 minutes (rice will not be tender). Reserve 1/2 cup the cooking liquid, then drain rice in a fine sieve.
Cook pine nuts in 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring, until pale golden, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until it begins to brown, about 1 minute. Add beef and brown. Add peppers, raisins, capers, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until raisins begin to plump, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add rice. Cool slightly, then stir in egg and 1/4 cup cheese.
Cut off and discard base from 1 escarole quarter, then gently spread leaves to create a 4-inch-wide area. With base end nearest you, place one fourth of rice mixture in center of bottom half of one escarole quarter. Fold base of leaves over rice, then fold in sides and roll up rice in escarole. Put, seam side down, in a 2-quart flameproof shallow baking dish, then repeat with remaining escarole and stuffing.
Drizzle with reserved rice cooking liquid and remaining tablespoon of oil, then sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Cover tightly with foil and bake until rice is tender, about 30 minutes.
Remove foil and turn on broiler, then broil 4 to 6 inches from heat until cheese is browned, 4 to 7 minutes.
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- http://www.thebittenword.com/thebittenword/2012/04/escarole-kale-white-bean-and-tomato-lasagna.html
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Fall is about leaves changing and weather cooling. As fall comes around, you want to bring in all there is to love about the autumn season, including your food. Whether you are serving up a salad course before dinner or looking for a recipe for a potluck dinner, an autumn-inspired salad can be a nice touch.
Spring and summer means fresh crisp salads. Just because fall is here doesn’t mean you have to settle for limp lettuce, tired tomatoes or crunchless cucumbers. Make your salads with fall vegetables and fruits to reflect the bounty of autumn. Or look to your pantry for canned and dried staples that you can add to salads along with herbs, vinegars and oils.
Autumn Vegetables
Pumpkin, carrots, squash, beets, and Brussels sprouts are just a few vegetables that appear on the produce stands in autumn. With the exception of carrots, most have to be cooked. Roast the vegetables to bring out their sweetness. ( For how to oven roast vegetables, see post: http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/05/07/vegetables-on-the-side-no-butter-please/). Dress with an apple cider vinegar dressing and serve at room temperature. Sliced raw carrots, cooked beets and blanched parsnips make a colorful autumn vegetable salad. Blanch cauliflower in boiling water for a few minutes, then plunge into ice water. Break off florettes and toss with walnut oil, chopped walnuts and white wine vinegar.
Fall Fruits
Fall fruits are ideal for savory salads. Waldorf is a prime example, a combination of apples, raisins, celery and walnuts in a mayonnaise dressing. Consider a fruit slaw of bright red crisp apples, complemented by a citrus juice dressing with added cayenne pepper for a touch of spice instead of mayonnaise. Pears are mellow and at their peak in the fall. Combine sliced pears with bleu cheese, sliced almonds and baby spinach leaves. Try a red grapefruit, avocado, jicama and butter lettuce salad. The avocado melts into the grapefruit juice, so no dressing is required.
Pears
Pears are a traditional fruit of the autumn season. Since pears are plentiful during the fall, you can purchase them at reasonable cost. Create a sautéed pear salad with warm nuts and a cider-vinegar dressing. Use fresh pears paired with celery, white cheddar and a warm dressing for a crunchy pear salad. Pair green lettuce with warmed walnuts, fresh pears and a maple vinaigrette dressing for a more traditional salad.
Apples
Just like pears, apples are in abundance around the fall season. You can use apples fresh, sautéed or baked for autumn salads. A salad does not have to contain lettuce to be considered a “salad.” Pair sautéed apples with toasted pecans and apple cider vinaigrette for a warm, tangy and sweet salad. Pair cheddar and fresh apples together with walnuts for a crisp and refreshing salad. Another idea is to try fresh spinach, pomegranates, diced fresh apples and walnuts together with a pomegranate vinaigrette. See dressing recipe below:
Pomegranate Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pomegranate juice*
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon good-quality aged Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
* Be sure you’re buying 100% pomegranate juice, as some juices advertised as pomegranate juice are a blend of apple or grape juices with a small percentage of the more expensive pomegranate juice. POM is an excellent brand, but there are also other brands that are pure pomegranate juice.
Directions:
In a small stainless steel or non-reactive saucepan over high heat, boil the pomegranate juice until reduced to 1/3 cup, approximately 9 or 10 minutes. Remove from heat.
While still warm, stir in the sugar, salt, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil; set aside to cool.
Yields 1 cup vinaigrette.
Nuts and Beans
With autumn comes the use of spiced nuts and legumes. Common nuts and legumes in the fall season are pecans, walnuts, pine nuts and lentils. Create a warm lentil salad with fresh spinach, pecans and sharp cheddar cheese. Use toasted nuts to top off a salad for a crunch. Toasted walnuts and pecans are suitable in both savory and sweet salads, and they work best when paired with fresh fruit or a fruity vinaigrette.
Dressings and Vinaigrettes
A salad is not a salad without a dressing or vinaigrette (an emulsion of oil and vinegar with herbs and spices). Fall vinaigrettes and dressings should be warm and rich in flavor. Use maple syrup to create a maple-balsamic dressing that has a bite of mustard and a sweet accent. When in a hurry, create a quick vinaigrette using apple cider vinegar, mustard powder, extra-virgin olive oil and salt. Adjust portions according to taste and tartness.
Cider Vinaigrette Recipe
Yield: 3/4 cup
Ingredients:
- 1 cup apple cider
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons grainy mustard
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Directions:
Boil cider in a small heavy saucepan until reduced to about 1/3 cup, 12 to 15 minutes.
Whisk together reduced cider, shallots, vinegar, and mustard with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until combined.
Broccoli Salad With Gouda
Ingredients:
- 3 cups small broccoli florets
- 1/4 cup chopped red onions
- 1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds ( or pine nuts)
- 6 -8 ounces Gouda cheese, cut into 3/4-inch cubes ( smoked or regular)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- salt, to taste
Directions:
Cook broccoli in boiling salted water for 1 minute. Drain well.
Combine the broccoli with onion, tomatoes, nuts and cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, sugar, pepper and salt; pour over salad mixture and toss to coat.
Parmesan Celery Salad
Ingredients:
- 8 large celery stalks and celery leaves
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for topping
- 1 1/2 cups cooked cannellini or garbanzo beans, heated
- 3 tablespoons golden raisins
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- sea salt or celery salt
- reserved celery leaves
Directions:
Slice the celery stalks quite thinly – 1/8-inch.
In a small bowl, make a paste with the olive oil, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Set aside.
In a large bowl toss the heated beans with the olive-Parmesan mixture. When well combined, add the celery, raisins, and most of the almonds. Toss once more. Taste and add a bit of salt if needed. Serve in a bowl or platter topped with celery leaves and remaining almonds.
Serves 4-6.
Apple Turkey Salad
Ingredients:
- 6 ounces cooked turkey breast, cubed
- 1/4 cup chopped apples
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup Fruit and Nut dressing, recipe below ( or your favorite)
- sliced or chopped nuts of choice
Directions:
In a medium bowl, gently stir together, turkey, apple, celery and shallot.
Pour dressing over chicken mixture.
Toss gently to coat.
Serve on lettuce leaves, sprinkle nuts of your choice over.
Dressing for Salads with Fruit and Nuts
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or champagne vinegar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice or any citrus juice
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons walnut oil
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
Whisk together the vinegars, lemon juice, mustard, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the oils. Taste and adjust seasonings.
Tomato Chickpea Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 (19 ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed ( garbanzos)
- 1 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 4 tomatoes, cut into large dice
- 1 cup chopped cucumbers
- 6 green onions, sliced
- 1 cup cubed swiss cheese ( or feta, mozzarella, Cheddar or Monterey Jack)
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
Directions:
Salad: In large bowl, combine chickpeas, parsley, tomatoes, cucumber, onions and cheese.
Dressing: Whisk together oil, vinegar, garlic and seasonings.
Toss dressing with salad ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
Chicken and Pear Salad over Arugula
4 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken breast, roasted and sliced
- 1/2 cup blue cheese salad dressing, low-calorie, see recipe below
- 3 pears, sliced
- 2 bunches arugula
- Walnuts
Directions:
Place pears in medium bowl; toss with salad dressing. Add arugula; toss again. Arrange arugula salad on 4 plates.
Divide chicken slices and place on top of salad. Sprinkle with walnuts.
Creamy Blue Cheese Dressing
Adapted From EatingWell: March/April 2007, The EatingWell Diet (2007)
Makes 1 1/4 cups
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup nonfat buttermilk, or nonfat milk
- 1/3 cup nonfat plain yogurt
- 2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar, or white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, (1 ounce)
Directions:
Whisk mayonnaise, buttermilk (or milk), yogurt, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper in a medium bowl until smooth. Add cheese and stir, mashing with a spoon until the cheese is incorporate
Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Stir before using.
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