Chopped Summer Salad Food

SUMMER CHOPPED SALAD WITH RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• For the ranch dressing: Smash the garlic clove, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and, with the side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Scrape the paste into a small bowl. Add the mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, chives, parsley and scallions and whisk well to make a creamy dressing. Use immediately or refrigerate in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 days. (Makes about 1 1/3 cups.)
• For the salad: Put the potatoes in a small saucepan with enough cold water to cover and season with salt. Bring to a boil and then simmer, uncovered, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and put in a large bowl.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and salt it generously. Fill a medium bowl with ice water and salt it as well. Add the corn, beans and broccoli to the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or strainer to scoop out the vegetables and plunge them immediately into the ice water. Drain the vegetables, pat them dry and add to the bowl of potatoes along with the tomatoes and cucumber. Toss the salad with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Taste, and add more salt and pepper if desired. (The salad may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead and refrigerated.)
• When ready to serve, toss the salad with the greens and the sprouts if desired, and with a bit more dressing if you like your salad on the well-dressed side. Pass the remaining dressing at the table.

SUMMER VEGGIE SALAD

Steps:

• Place corn into a large pot and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and cool corn. Cut kernels from cob.
• Mix corn kernels, black beans, avocados, cilantro, tomatoes, onion, and jalapeno pepper together in a bowl.
• Whisk olive oil, lime zest, and lime juice together in a bowl; pour over corn mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.

EPIC SUMMER SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing by blending all of the ingredients in a food processor (or very finely chop them), saving a few herb leaves for the salad. You can make the dressing up to 24 hrs before serving.
• Scatter the beans and spinach over a large platter. Arrange the tomatoes, cucumber, mango, onion and radishes on top and gently toss together with your hands. Top the salad with the avocados, feta and herbs, and serve the dressing on the side.

CHOPPED SUMMER SALAD

Steps:

• Slice endive into 1/2-inch-thick pieces, and transfer to a large bowl. Add cucumber, parsley, mint, cilantro, tomatoes, and red pepper.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar and lemon juice. Season with salt and black pepper. Whisk in olive oil until combined.
• Pour dressing over salad, and toss to combine. Serve salad over a dish of herbed veal chops.

A SUMMER CHOPPED SALAD!

Steps:

• Blanch the green beans in boiling water for 30-60 seconds, then chill in an ice water bath. In the same boiling water, blanch the radishes 20 seconds, then chill in an ice water bath sweetened with a touch of agave nectar.
• Place all of the ingredients except for the vinaigrette and lemon juice in a large bowl. Drizzle with the vinaigrette and toss to coat. Sprinkle the lemon juice on top just before serving . Enjoy!
• Vinaigrette:.
• Place the vinegar and agave nectar in a small bowl, then whisk constantly while slowly pouring in the oil in a thin stream.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.

CHOPPED SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Zest the lemon into a small bowl, then halve the naked lemon and squeeze the juice into the bowl. Whisk in oil and season to taste with salt and pepper; set aside.
• Put the romaine into a large bowl, then top with tomatoes, bacon, cucumber, blue cheese and scallions. Drizzle in about two thirds of the dressing, then toss until well coated.
• Place sliced avocado and eggs on top of salad, and season lightly with salt and pepper (especially the avocado, which can take a lot of salt). Drizzle salad with remaining dressing, and serve.