Fresh Crunchy Salad Food

THE CRUNCHIEST VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• Prepare the vegetables:
• Place cucumber, radishes, and scallions in a colander set inside a bowl of ice water. Press down on vegetables to submerge. Let soak, stirring occasionally, until very firm and crunchy, at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour. Drain and pat dry.
• Meanwhile, cook beans in a large pot of boiling generously salted water just until their color intensifies and they are barely softened, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, immediately transfer to a large bowl of salted ice water (use about 1 Tbsp. salt for every 2 quarts water).
• Return water in pot to a boil and repeat cooking process with sugar snap peas; add to bowl of ice water with beans. Let vegetables cool; drain and pat dry. Trim beans and remove strings from sugar snap peas. Slice into large pieces on a steep diagonal.
• Make the dressing and assemble:
• Whisk lime juice, oil, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and sugar in a large bowl; season dressing with salt and pepper. Add beans and peas and toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add cucumber, radishes, and scallions and toss to combine. Transfer to a platter.
• Do Ahead
• Beans and peas can be blanched 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Dressing can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill.

CRUNCHY TOSSED SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk the oil, sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper; shake well. Chill for 1 hour. , Just before serving, in a salad bowl, combine the lettuce, bacon, almonds, sesame seeds and onions in a large bowl. Whisk dressing and pour over salad; toss to coat. Top with chow mein noodles.

FRESH CRUNCHY SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the carrot and cucumber in half, lengthways.
• thinly slice all vegetables and apple.
• Toss to combine, and serve as a light lunch, or as a side.

TART AND CRUNCHY FRESH TUNA SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Put a large sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Arrange the lemon slices on the parchment, slightly overlapping, covering in an area just larger than the size of the tuna steaks. Season the tuna well on both sides with salt and pepper and arrange them directly on the lemon slices. Sprinkle the zest evenly over the tuna. Bring the 2 long sides of parchment together and fold down over the tuna; fold the ends of the parchment and tuck them under the fish like an envelope. Roast in the oven until cooked through, about 18 to 20 minutes; the tuna should flake easily with a fork and is no longer pink in the center.
• Open the parchment packet and let the tuna cool until it can be handled, then flake it with a fork. Transfer to a serving bowl along with any cooking juices it has released. Add the yogurt, grapes, and walnuts and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper and freshly squeezed lemon juice, to taste. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.
• Cook's Note: Serve this healthy salad on butter lettuce leaves, on a slice of toasted seedy whole wheat bread, with fresh cantaloupe slices, or eat straight out of the refrigerator with a fork!