Fresh Garden Salad Food

ALMOST-FAMOUS GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all the dressing ingredients and 1 to 2 tablespoons water in a blender or food processor; puree until smooth.
• Place the salad blend in a large bowl and top with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle with the dressing.
• Photography by Kate Sears

PERFECT GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Tear lettuce into bite sized pieces and wash and dry thoroughly. Place in large salad bowl (wider than it is deep). Top with prepared vegetables.
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cheese. Go lightly until you learn how much is "to taste" for you.
• Pour oil over salad, then vinegar. It is important that the oil be first. Quantity requires a bit of practice - go light on the vinegar at first. You can add more if needed. Aim to coat the top layer of vegetables. Toss until well mixed. Taste - add vinegar or oil if needed, and toss again. Do not add dry ingredients (see below). Serve immediately.
• Note: Your first couple salads may not be perfect. If you find that you didn't add enough salt or pepper, let diners add more as served - you can't get it well dispersed if you add to the salad bowl after the oil and vinegar have been added If you find that you added too much vinegar, a little salt can counteract - again, add as served.

FRESH CORN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the corn for 3 minutes until the starchiness is just gone. Drain and immerse it in ice water to stop the cooking and to set the color. When the corn is cool, cut the kernels off the cob, cutting close to the cob.
• Toss the kernels in a large bowl with the red onions, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Just before serving, toss in the fresh basil. Taste for seasonings and serve cold or at room temperature.

GARDEN FRESH SALAD

Steps:

• Place the potatoes into a large pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the green beans and wax beans during the last 2 minutes to blanch them. Drain, and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking. Cool before adding to the dressing.
• In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, mustard, celery, dill, salt, and pepper. Add the cooled potatoes and beans, and stir to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

FRESH GARDEN PEA SALAD

Steps:

• Drain and dry baby peas very well.
• Add cheese, tomatoes, gherkins, onions and beans to pea mixture, set aside.
• Combine mayonnaise, mustard, sugar and salt and pepper. Stir til smooth.
• Gently, fold dressing mixture into peas.
• Refrigerate, if desired, before serving. But, it isn't necessary if you are in a hurry.
• Enjoy!

FRESH VEGETABLE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a large saucepan. Cook the rotini in boiling water until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain. Rinse with cold water until cooled completely; drain. Transfer pasta to a large mixing bowl.
• Whisk olive oil, vinegar, and honey together in a bowl; drizzle over pasta and toss to coat. Fold tomatoes, sweet onion, cucumber, carrots, celery, garlic, green onions, parsley, and cilantro individually into the pasta mixture to assure even distribution. Season with black pepper.

GARDEN-FRESH PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 3 min. Drain.
• Rinse pasta mixture with cold water; drain well. Place in large bowl. Add all remaining ingredients except cheese; mix lightly.
• Refrigerate 1 hour. Stir gently before serving; top with cheese.

GARDEN FRESH SALAD

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Chill. Combine dressing ingredients; just before serving, drizzle over salad and toss to coat.