Herbed Green Salad Two Ways Food

HERBY GREEN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Add the green beans and cook, 3 minutes, then add the sugar snap peas and cook for 1 minute more. Drain the vegetables and run under cold water until cool, then pat dry and set aside.
• Combine the mustard, soy sauce and garlic in a large mixing bowl for the base of the dressing. Slowly pour the olive oil into the bowl, whisking constantly, to emulsify into a thick dressing. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the blanched vegetables to the bowl with the vinaigrette. Add the cranberries, almonds, parsley, dill and fennel. Toss gently to combine and ensure the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

LEAFY HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Combine greens in a large bowl, along with parsley, cilantro and chives. Add mint or dill leaves, if you have them on hand. (It's fine if you don't, but the more the merrier.)
• Zest lemon over the greens, then halve and squeeze lemon juice all over everything. Season with flaky salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper, and finish with a good drizzle of olive oil. The salad should be lightly oiled, and heavy on the flaky salt and lemon juice.

SOFT HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Up to a day before serving, wash the herbs and greens: Fill a large bowl or clean sink with plenty of cold water. Immerse the leaves, swish around to loosen any dirt, then gently lift out. Dry in a salad spinner or by spreading them on clean kitchen towels. (If working ahead, refrigerate the dry leaves in sealed plastic bags or containers. Add a paper towel to each bag to absorb excess water.)
• Melt butter in a frying pan until it sizzles. Add almonds. Sauté over low heat, until the almonds are golden and the butter is browned. Lift out almonds and drain on paper towels, reserving butter. (Butter can be kept for 1 day. Melt and cool again before assembling salad.)
• When ready to serve, place greens in a large bowl. Add salt, pepper, chile flakes, almonds, cooking butter, lemon juice and olive oil. Toss gently and season to taste, then serve immediately.

SIMPLE GREEN SALAD WITH HERB VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To make the salad: rinse the lettuce in chilled water. Remove from water, wrap in damp paper towels and refrigerate.
• Marinate the cucumber, celery, squash, carrots, tomatoes, and onions, separately, with the herb vinaigrette. Cover each, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Slice the tortillas into 4-inch long, thin, triangular strips.
• In a large pan, add 1/2-inch of oil and heat. When the oil is hot, fry the tortillas until they are crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, season, and let cool.
• Place the lettuce in a large bowl. Add the marinated vegetables and toss with some more of the Herbed Vinaigrette. Season with salt and pepper. Top with the crispy tortilla strips.
• To make the dressing: in a small food processor, combine all ingredients and blend for 45 seconds to 1 minute until emulsified.

TOSSED GREEN SALAD WITH HERBS

Steps:

• The lettuce may be Bibb or Boston, romaine or leaf; the greens may be a few leaves of any or all of those listed above, or you may select others of your choosing. The prime requisite is that they be fresh and crisp, well washed and thoroughly dried. No drop of water should be allowed to lurk in the fold of a leaf, or the salad will be watery and quick to wilt.
• Rub an outsize salad bowl with the garlic, peeled and halved, until there is a good coating well up on all sides. Break the lettuce and greens into the bowl. Snip the herbs small and crush them lightly as you add them to the greens. Measure the oil into a big spoon and sprinkle it over the salad. Dissolve the salt and pepper in the vinegar in the same spoon, and sprinkle this on the salad. Then begin a light and rhythmic tossing, which is more a gentle turning of the greens over and over until every leaf is coated and the seasonings well distributed. Add the chives, taste to see if more salt is needed, then serve.

TWO BEAN & HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Use metal tongs to hold the onion over hot coals or char in a hot griddle pan until just blackened all over. Leave to cool completely, then peel away the outer blackened layer and finely chop the rest of the onion. You can also simply finely chop the onion without charring it first, if you prefer.
• Cook the beans in a pan of boiling salted water for 4-5 mins until just cooked, with a slight snap. Drain and tip into a bowl with the onion, cannellini beans, olive oil and lemon juice. Season well, toss everything together and set aside until needed. This can be prepared several hours ahead and chilled. Stir in the herbs just before serving.

CHOPPED GREEN SALAD WITH HERBY CHILLI DRESSING

Steps:

• Using a stick blender or the small bowl of a food processor, whizz together all the dressing ingredients. Season to taste.
• To serve, put all the salad ingredients in a large bowl, drizzle with the dressing and toss together.

HERBED GREEN SALAD, TWO WAYS

Steps:

• Combine the herbs and greens; cover with a damp towel and refrigerate for up to 24 hours until ready to serve.
• When you're ready to serve, prepare one of the vinaigrettes and toss with the greens. Add more salt or lemon juice if necessary and serve immediately.
• Whisk together 1/2 cup grapeseed or olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt if necessary (it may not be).
• Whisk together 1/4 cup hazelnut or walnut oil, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, and a large pinch each of salt and pepper. Taste and add more salt if necessary (it may not be).