Simple Salads for Spring-Crave more fresh, green salads or as we like to call it "roughage".

Cucumber Strawberry with a Blush Vinaigrette

Simple Salads for Spring

Yes, the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and winter is NO where to be found this year in the Pacific NW.  While I'm not ready to relinquish the comfort foods of fall and winter just yet, I am starting to crave more fresh, green salads or as we like to call it "roughage". 

Salads are an easy and fun way to get creative with color, texture, tastes. I like to eat beautiful things. Don't miss out on the opportunity to 'wow' simply by arranging your food on the plate in a thoughtful manner OR de-construct your salads in a new way instead of dressing and mixing it all together! While the possibilities are endless is helps to know when to stop. You don't want everything but the kitchen sink in the salad so that none of the ingredients have a chance to stand out.

Spinach with Chicken & Orzo

Here are a few ideas!

Ideas for Base of the Salad:

• Butter Lettuce (Red is MY FAV!)
• Spring Mix
• Mache 
• Wedge of Iceberg
• Arugula
• Spinach
• Kale
• Cabbages (Red, Green, Napa)
• Shredded Broccoli stalk and/or carrots

 Garden Niçoise

Ideas for "Bling" for the Salad:

• Candied Nuts or Nuts in General
• Seeds like black sesame, pumpkin
• A special cheese like Blue or Shaved Parm
• Interesting vegetable like grilled artichokes, roasted red peppers, asparagus
• OLIVES!
• Microgreens as garnish, Radicchio, pea shoots
  
• Vegetables cut in a different way like shaving or spiraling
• FRUIT like berries or melon, green apple
• Eggs or a lean meat.
• Fried Shallots or sliced green onion
• Make your own croutons for a loaf of crusty bread. Rye is fun and different.
• Avocado, bacon, ....oh yea...
• Herbs or edible flowers like chive or pansy.

Balance out the colors in your salad. Try to have something that counteracts with the green. A splash of purple from red cabbage or radicchio or perhaps a yellow bell pepper? Sometimes a fresh tomato is enough or I like to use super thin red onion marinated in some vinegar and olive oil.

Or adorning the greenery base, chop or mix a blend of different vegetables (even other lettuces) to place on top of the salad perhaps in the middle or plated on the side. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes of larger vegetables on top like roasted beets or cucumber. Get creative! It will make you want to eat more salad and make the effort to get more roughage in!

Depending on your combos sometimes a dressing isn't warranted
Try these ideas:

• Wedge of citrus to squeeze over the top.  
• Salsa such as mango or tomatillo
• Plain yogurt perhaps seasoned some fresh herbs like tarragon, basil or parsley
• Creamy cheese like herbed  or plain chevre
• Sour cream
• Your favorite hot sauce
• Honey
• Fruit puree
• Gelato! lol ;)

Whether you stay vegetarian or add a protein like grilled chicken, ahi or steak, these spring salads can make an amazing lunch or even a light dinner or side for a larger meal! Viva la Salad!