Crispy Smashed Potato Salad

Adapted from A Pinch of Yum

Ingredients

For the potatoes

• 24 ounces baby yukon gold potatoes
• 1 tablespoon salt
• avocado oil spray
• 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning

For the salad

• 2 hearts of romaine, finely chopped
• 1 cup dill pickles, chopped
• a quarter of a red onion, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)

For the dressing

• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon pickle juice
• 1 tablespoon freeze-dried dill (or 1/4 cup fresh, chopped)
• 1 teaspoon ranch seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Potatoes: Bring a pot of water to boil. Add salt and potatoes; cook until the potatoes are fork-tender (15-25 minutes, depending on size).

Veggies: While potatoes are cooking, chop all your salad ingredients.

Dressing: While potatoes are cooking, whisk all your dressing ingredients.

Smash: When potatoes are done and cool enough to handle, use the back of a flat drinking glass to smash each potato (1/4 to 1/8 inch thickness). Gently slide it off the potato in a flat motion to prevent sticking.

Roast: Arrange the potatoes in a single layer in the basket of an air fryer; spray well with avocado oil, coat with the seasoning, and spray again with oil. Air fry at 375 for 15 minutes, or until golden, craggly, and crispy.

Serve! Toss the romaine, pickles, and onions in the dressing. Toss half of the crispy potatoes in the salad (they may break into smaller chunks as you toss it), and reserve the other half to scatter across the top. Crunchy, fresh, creamy, so so yum.

My Notes: The salad itself was decent, but I LOVED the dressing. It is so tasty and easy to make. I used the leftovers as sandwich spread. I made it again and added the chopped pickles into the dressing. Also, if crisping the potatoes in the oven, I'd set it to 425. MXF

Sichuan Chicken Salad

 

From Milk Street

Ingredients

• 2 10-12-ounce bone-in, skin-on split chicken breasts
• 6 scallions, white parts coarsely chopped, green parts thinly sliced on a bias, reserved separately
• 1 1-inch piece fresh ginger, cut into 4 pieces and smashed
• 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
• Kosher salt
• 1/4 cup dry sherry (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chili oil
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 1½ tablespoons white sugar
• 1½ tablespoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns (optional), toasted and finely ground
• ⅛-¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 large English cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded and thinly sliced crosswise on a bias

DIRECTIONS

In a large saucepan, place the chicken skin side down, then add the scallion whites, ginger, garlic and ¾ teaspoons salt. Add 4 cups water and the sherry, if using, fully submerging the chicken. Bring to a boil over medium-high, then cover, reduce to low and cook at a bare simmer until the thickest part of the chicken registers 160°F, 20 to 25 minutes. Uncover the pan and let the chicken cool in the liquid for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the chili oil, tahini, sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, vinegar, ¾ teaspoons of salt, Sichuan peppercorns, if using, and cayenne.

Using tongs, remove the chicken from the cooking liquid. Remove and discard the skin and bones, then transfer the meat to a large bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of the tahini dressing, then use a wooden spoon to smash the meat, shredding it and working in the dressing. Use your fingers to pull the shreds into bite-size pieces.

Add the cucumber and ¾ each of the peanuts and scallion greens. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and toss until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with the remaining peanuts and scallions.

Tip: Don’t boil the chicken; keep the liquid at a bare simmer so the meat stays moist and tender.

My Notes: I used rotisserie chicken to make this super simple. It would be better to shred rather than cut into chunks . The dressing is so very good. MXF

Charred Eggplant and Walnut Pesto Pasta Salad

 From Smitten Kitchen

Servings: 3 to 4 as a light meal; double it for a party 
Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

• Salt
• 1/2 pound pasta (I used Setaro’s organietti, but other radiatore shapes are great here)
Additional olive oil
• 1 medium eggplant (1 pound)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Additional sherry or red wine vinegar
• 2 ounces ricotta salata, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley or basil

Dressing

• 3/4 cup (2 3/4 ounces) walnuts, toasted and cooled first for best flavor
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 small garlic clove, peeled
• 2 sprigs of thyme, cleaned
• Salt
• 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar, plus more at end
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more at end
• 2 tablespoons (about 3) minced sun-dried tomatoes (oil or dry-packed will both work)
• Freshly ground black pepper and/or red pepper flakes

Cook pasta: In very well salted water until 1 to 2 minutes before doneness and drain.

Prepare eggplant: Trim eggplant and slice into 1/2-inch coins. Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat grill to medium-high. Arrange eggplant in one layer and cook until charred underneath, about 8 minutes. (If it’s sticking to the grill, it wants to cook longer.) Flip pieces over and cook until charred on second side, about 5 to 8 minutes more. Set aside to cool slightly then chop into chunks.

No grill? Heat oven to 425. Trim eggplant and slice into 1/2-inch coins. Coat a baking sheet generously with olive oil, arrange eggplant on top and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast, without disturbing, for 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully flip each piece: the undersides should be blistery, dark and a bit puffy and should release easily; if they don’t want to, cook them a few minutes longer. Flip each piece, sprinkle again with salt and pepper, and roast on the second side for 10 to 12 minutes, or until charred underneath again.

Make dressing: In food processor, coarsely grind walnuts, cheese, garlic, thyme, salt and freshly ground black pepper and/or red pepper flakes. Stir in oil and tomatoes, then whisk in vinegar to taste.
Assemble salad: Toss cooked pasta with walnut dressing and additional vinegar and oil to loosen (I used about 1 tablespoon extra oil and 2 tablespoons extra vinegar in total). Chop eggplant into chunks, add to bowl and toss again. Adjust seasonings to taste, then stir in cheese and herbs.

My Notes: I really like this and I like the flexibility of this. Ricotta or mozzarella or a harder cheese. Sun-dried tomatoes or artichokes or roasted red peppers. Maybe an anchovy? Maybe some salami? MXF

White House Honey Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Adapted from Martha Stewart (from White House executive chef Cristeta Comerford)

Ingredients

• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 shallot, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup honey

In a small bowl, whisk together honey, vinegar, lemon juice, and onion. Slowly whisk in olive oil to form an emulsion. Season with salt and pepper.

My Notes: This was a great, simple dressing. I always use less olive oil than called for, so start with 1/3 cup and drizzle more if needed. It doesn't taste as good when leftover the next day so try to make only enough for one day.

MXF

Grilled Romaine Salad Recipe with Eggs, Wakame & Black Vinegar

I am a food blog

Serves 2

Dressing:

• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Chinese black vinegar
• 1 tablespoon neutral oil
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

Salad:

• 1/2 cup wakame (dried seaweed)
• oil
• 1 slice thick cut bread
• 1 head romaine, intact, washed, throughly dried and cut in half
• 2 eggs, soft of medium boiled, sliced in half
• black sesame seeds, to garnish

Whisk together the dressing ingredients, taste and adjust soy and vinegar if needed; set aside. Rehydrate wakame in hot water according to directions on package. While the seaweed is rehydrating, grill your croutons.

Heat a bit of oil in a non-stick skillet and grill bread on both sides until golden and crisp. Set aside. In a large frying pan, heat up a touch of oil over medium high heat. Place the romaine in the pan, cut side down and fry until slightly charred and wilted, flipping once. Remove from the heat when done.

Drain the wakame and toss with a bit of the dressing. Cut the toasted bread into large croutons. Assemble the salad by placing the grilled romaine on a large plate. Top with grilled croutons, dressed seaweed and egg halves. Drizzle on the dressing and sprinkle on a few black sesame seeds. Enjoy immediately.

Nancy's Chopped Salad

Smitten Kitchen

Makes 6 meal-sized salad or 12 side portions

OREGANO DRESSING:

•  4 cloves garlic
•  1 to 2 tablespoons dried oregano (Nancy recommends 2; I got nervous and used 1, but might not have minded more)
•  2 teaspoons kosher salt
•  Freshly ground black pepper
•  2 tablespoons lemon juice, or juice of 1 lemon
•  1/4 cup red wine vinegar
•  1/4 cup olive oil, ideally extra-virgin

SALAD AND ASSEMBLY:

•  1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas or 1 3/4 cups cooked chickpeas, drained
•  1 small red onion, peeled and sliced into paper-thin rings
•  1/2 pound provolone (see Note about varieties), sliced 1/8-inch thick then cut into 1/4-inch ribbons
•  1/2 pound salami, peeled, sliced 1/8-inch thick then cut into 1/4-inch ribbons
•  4 medium or 8 small pickled pepperoncini, sliced into rings
•  3/4 pound cherry tomatoes
•  Sea salt
•  1 head iceberg lettuce (see Note about size), halved, cored, and cut in 1/2-inch ribbons
•  1 head radicchio, halved, cored and cut in 1/4-inch ribbons
•  2 tablespoons dried oregano for garnish (optional)

Make dressing:

Roughly chop the garlic and then add the oregano, salt and up to 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper. Chop the mixture together and use the side of a knife or a mortar and pestle to make a grainy herb paste. Transfer the paste to a large salad bowl, and add the lemon juice and vinegar. Mix with a fork allowing the salt to dissolve, then add the oil and whisk with a fork until well combined. The dressing should be thick with garlic and oregano. If you’re using a small head of iceberg, transfer 1/3 the dressing into a small bowl to be used only if needed. For a larger head of iceberg, you’ll want it all.

Assemble salad:
Gently fold the chickpeas, red onion, provolone, salami, pepperoncini (including seeds and juice) into the dressing, one at a time. Halve the tomatoes lengthwise and season with 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt. Set aside until ready to serve.

To serve:
When ready to serve, gently add the tomatoes, lettuce and radicchio to the salad bowl, along with a couple of generous pinches of oregano, and toss to combine with the dressing. Adjust seasonings to taste, adding any reserved dressing if needed. Serve immediately.

Green Salad with Grilled Corn, Cheese, Basil and Grilled Tomato Vinaigrette

Martha Stewart

Tomatoes grilled to the point of collapse are the key to this savory, chunky dressing.

Servings: 6

• 2 ears corn, husked
• 1 large tomato (3/4 pound)
• 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Coarse salt
• 2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic (from 1 small garlic clove)
• 2 heads Boston lettuce, trimmed, leaves separated
• 1 cup fresh basil leaves
• 4 ounces caciocavallo or Parmesan cheese, shaved

Prep time: 45 mins / Total time: 45 mins
Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill corn, turning, until charred on all sides, about 5 minutes. When cool enough to handle, cut kernels from ears.

Cut tomato in half. Toss with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt. Grill tomato, turning, until charred and softened, 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. When cool enough to handle, remove skin and core; smash flesh with fingers. Whisk in vinegar, garlic, remaining 3 tablespoons oil, and 1 teaspoon salt.

Combine corn, lettuce, basil, and cheese. Toss with dressing, and season with salt if necessary. Serve immediately.

Hawaiian-style Sesame Cabbage Slaw

From Saveur

• 1 large head green cabbage, shredded into 1/4-inch ribbons
• 6-8 scallions, white and green parts, sliced thin (about 2 cups)
• 1/4 cup mirin
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tbs. sugar
• 1/2 tbs. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. white pepper
• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup black sesame seeds
• 1 package instant ramen noodles, crushed lightly (save the seasoning packet for another use, or discard)

In a large bowl, combine the cabbage and scallions. In a medium bowl, whisk together mirin, vinegar, sugar, salt, and white pepper. Combine the sesame and vegetable oils in a separate vessel and slowly add into mirin mixture, whisking steadily, until all the oil is added and the dressing has emulsified. Add vinaigrette to the bowl of cabbage and scallions, top with sesame seeds and crushed ramen noodles. Toss to combine and serve immediately.

Israeli Couscous Salad with Smoked Paprika

Giada de Laurentiis

6 servings 

   

DRESSING

• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
• 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

COUSCOUS

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• ⅓ cups (8 ounces) Israeli couscous, sometimes called pearl couscous
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups packed baby spinach leaves, coarsely chopped
• 12 ounces grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, or baby heirloom tomatoes of assorted colors, halved
• 4 ounces (about 1 cup) feta, coarsely crumbled or chopped into ½-inch pieces
• 1 cup jarred red bell peppers, drained and coarsely chopped
• ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• ⅓ cup slivered almonds, toasted
• ¼ cup chopped fresh mint
• ¼ tsp Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Whisk the oil, vinegar, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. Cook the couscous, stirring frequently, until golden, 4 to 5 minutes.

Add 2 cups water and the salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until the couscous is just tender and the liquid is absorbed, 9 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

Mix together the spinach, tomatoes, cheese, peppers, parsley, almonds and mint in a large bowl. Add the couscous and the dressing. Toss until all the ingredients are coated. Transfer to a large serving bowl and serve.

My Notes: Wow, this was so good! Instead of jarred peppers, I used gardeniere. I also used less oil--1/4 cup.

MXF

Watermelon and Tomato Salad

adapted from Martha Stewart

Serves 4

BASIL OIL:
2 cups fresh basil, plus more for garnish
1/4-1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil

SALAD:
6 cups cold cubed watermelon (from about 4 1/2 pounds watermelon), rind removed
3 heirloom tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch wedges
1 Kirby cucumber, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices on the bias
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 
1 tbsp balsamic
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup crumbled soft goat cheese (4 ounces) or feta
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Prep Time:  20 minutes / Total Time:  1 hour 20 minutes

Make the basil oil:
Prepare an ice-water bath. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil. Blanch basil for 1 minute. Transfer to ice-water bath to stop the cooking process. Drain.

Puree basil in a blender with olive oil until smooth. Strain mixture through a cheesecloth-lined fine sieve set over a bowl. Let stand until oil drips through, about 1 hour (do not squeeze cheesecloth).

Make the salad:
Toss together watermelon, tomatoes, cucumber, olive oil, and lemon juice in a bowl. Transfer to a serving platter, and sprinkle with goat cheese. Drizzle with basil oil and more olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Garnish with basil.

My Notes: I'm not sure you need to strain the oil. I tossed in the blended basil bits and thought it was nice. I used feta cheese and also added some balsamic. Tasty and easy to make. Also I forgot the cuke, but I think that would be a nice touch next time.

MXF

Buttermilk-Pecorino Dressing

Martha Stewart

3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
3/4 cup finely grated Pecorino Romano cheese
2 tablespoons plain yogurt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

Shake together buttermilk, cheese, yogurt, olive oil, zest, lemon juice, pepper, and salt.

My Notes: Sort of bland. It may just need more salt and pepper. It may also need some crushed red pepper.

MXF

Herb, Lemon and Anchovy Dressing

Martha Stewart

3 finely chopped oil-packed anchovy fillets
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons finely chopped chives (or scallion)
1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Shake together anchovy fillets, parsley, olive oil, mint, chives, vinegar, zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Spicy Coconut Dressing

Martha Stewart

1/2 cup low-fat coconut milk
1 seeded and thinly sliced small fresh red chile, such as Thai or serrano
1 thinly sliced scallion
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon thinly sliced fresh mint
2 teaspoons safflower oil
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

Shake together coconut milk, chile, scallion, lime juice, mint, oil, and salt.

Soy-Citrus Vinaigrette

Martha Stewart

3 tablespoons safflower oil
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar (not seasoned)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon finely grated grapefruit zest
3 tablespoons fresh grapefruit juice

Shake together oil, soy sauce, lime juice, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, honey, zest, and grapefruit juice.

Cider-Dijon Vinaigrette

Martha Stewart

1/4 cup fresh apple cider
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 finely chopped small shallot
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Shake together apple cider, oil, vinegar, mustard, shallot, salt, and pepper.

Creamy Garlic Vinaigrette

Food & Wine / Bobby Flay

SERVINGS: Makes 3/4 cup

15 medium unpeeled garlic cloves
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/8 teaspoon Tabasco
1/3 cup canola oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

ACTIVE: 15 MIN TOTAL TIME: 45 MIN 

Preheat the oven to 375°. Set the garlic on a sheet of foil, drizzle with the olive oil and wrap up; roast for 30 minutes, until soft.

Squeeze the garlic from its skin into a blender. Puree with the vinegar, water, mustard, mayonnaise, honey, Worcestershire and Tabasco; slowly add the canola oil and puree until the dressing is creamy. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Notes:  Pour over romaine lettuce or bitter lettuces like radicchio or frisée.
Two Tablespoons 129 cal, 13 gm fat, 1 gm sat fat, 4 gm carb, 0 gm fiber.

Reinvented Russian Dressing

Food & Wine / Bobby Flay

SERVINGS: Makes 1 1/4 cups

4 sun-dried tomato halves
3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/2 teaspoon ancho chile powder
3 cornichons, finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced red onion
2 teaspoons minced tarragon
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

ACTIVE: 15 MIN TOTAL TIME: 35 MIN 

In a bowl, cover the sun-dried tomatoes with boiling water. Let stand until softened, 20 minutes. Drain the tomatoes, reserving 2 tablespoons of the soaking liquid.

In a food processor, puree the yogurt, sun-dried tomatoes and the reserved soaking liquid with the oil, vinegar and ancho chile powder. Scrape the dressing into a bowl. Stir in the cornichons, onion and tarragon and season with salt and pepper.

Notes: Serve on romaine lettuce, as a crudité dip or spread on fish before broiling.
Two Tablespoons 25 cal, 1 gm fat, 0.2 gm sat fat, 2 gm carb, 0 gm fiber.

Summer Chopped Salad with Quick Pickled Vegetables

Food & Wine / The Dressing Room (favorite of Paul Newman)

SERVINGS: 6

1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
3 celery ribs, finely diced
2 medium carrots, finely diced
1 large red bell pepper, finely diced
1 large yellow bell pepper, finely diced
1 large peach, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 medium cucumber—peeled, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 cup finely chopped frisée
1 cup coarsely chopped arugula
1 cup thinly sliced napa cabbage
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 ounces fresh goat cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup slivered toasted almonds
1 large hard-cooked egg, sliced into 6 rounds
Smoked paprika, for sprinkling

TOTAL TIME: 50 MIN

Preheat the oven to 350° (to toast almonds). In a saucepan, combine the 2 vinegars and bring to a boil. Put the celery and carrots in a heatproof bowl and pour the vinegar over the vegetables. Let stand until cool. Stir in the peppers and refrigerate until cold, 20 minutes.

Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of the vinegar from the vegetables; reserve it for another use. Add the peach, cucumber, frisée, arugula and cabbage to the bowl. Drizzle the salad with the olive oil, season with salt and pepper and toss. Add the goat cheese and almonds and toss gently. Top the salad with the egg slices, sprinkle with smoked paprika and serve.

One Serving 200 cal, 15 gm fat, 3.4 gm sat fat, 13 gm carb, 4 gm fiber.

My Notes: May want to add some chicken or ham.

Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Real Simple, 2004

MAKES 1/2 CUP

    1 teaspoon dijon style mustard                                 
    2 tablespoons lemon juice                                      
    1 teaspoon red wine vinegar                                    
    1/4 cup evoo                                                   
    1 tablespoon fresh chop parsley                                
    1 tablespoon fresh chop basil chives OR tarragon               
    1/8 teaspoon salt    
                                          
In a small jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine all the ingredients. Cover and shake vigorously. Season to taste with freshly ground pepper.

Corn, Avocado and Tomato Salad

Real Simple, 2004

Makes 4 servings

    2 cups cooked corn                                             
    1 avocado diced to 1 in.                                       
    1 pint halved cherry tomatoes                                  
    1/2 cup fine dice red onions                                   
    2 tablespoons olive oil                                        
    1 tablespoon lime juice                                        
    1/2 teaspoon lime zest                                         
    1/4 cup chop cilantro                                          
    1/4 teaspoon salt                                              
    1/8 teaspoon pepper      
                                     
Place corn in a large bowl. Add avocado, tomatoes, and onion. In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, lime zest, cilantro, salt, and pepper. Stir the vinaigrette into the salad and serve.

MY NOTE: So easy, like a deconstructed gaucamole.  Don't skimp on the salt and pepper.

MXF