Favorite Salad Recipes?

It's salad season!  YEA!  When hot weather arrives all I want is salad!  But I need some new ideas...so..what are YOUR favorite salad recipes?  I'm looking for salad as a meal.      Thanks for posting, in advance.

As it happens, this evening I had a meal-size salad..... it involved some cooked wholewheat pasta, pitted black olives, some juicy tomatoes, chunky chopped, an avocado, roughly chopped, some fresh parsley and basil chopped in... dressing was a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, plenty of freshly ground black pepper and some parmesan shavings over the top.   Not sure of the calories but it tasted fantastic.

Original Post by gi-jane:

As it happens, this evening I had a meal-size salad..... it involved some cooked wholewheat pasta, pitted black olives, some juicy tomatoes, chunky chopped, an avocado, roughly chopped, some fresh parsley and basil chopped in... dressing was a little olive oil, balsamic vinegar, plenty of freshly ground black pepper and some parmesan shavings over the top.   Not sure of the calories but it tasted fantastic.

 sounds yummy!  thanks

This 'Fruity Rice Salad' is another one of my favourites.. Indian spices lift it considerably and it's very filling for just shy of 500 cals.

GI JANE-the pasta salad sounds awesome, just wondering, if you take it for lunch do you have anything w/ it?  i dont normally take pasta salads but am thinking of taking a similar one and dont know what if anything to have w it

I just made a cucumber-onion salad -- or basically pickled cucumbers. I used apple cider vinegar and Splenda (just enough to balance the acidity) and salt. Throw sliced cucumbers and onions into the vinegar and let sit at least an hour. They'll last a long time in the fridge.

Original Post by agruskin:

GI JANE-the pasta salad sounds awesome, just wondering, if you take it for lunch do you have anything w/ it?  i dont normally take pasta salads but am thinking of taking a similar one and dont know what if anything to have w it

 Because there's avocado in that recipe I'd probably not take it as a packed lunch because it could discolour.  But I make a similar salad using broccoli florets, tomatoes, parmesan shavings and sliced almonds... that's another good combination that travels well.  I normally take along something like a banana to have with it at lunchtime.

I have been experimenting with salad rolls.

You can take any vegetable combination and wrap it up in a spring roll skin (about 50 cal I think). It's especially great if you can't always eat meals using a plate and utensils.

Here's my favorite summer salad recipe so far:

- fresh arugula
- sliced strawberries, soaked for at least 5-10 minutes in a tablespoon or two balsamic vinegar
- goat cheese
- toasted walnuts

Dressing: Extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper

Toss together the greens with the dressing, top with strawberries, goat cheese, and walnuts. I find it doesn't even need the dressing sometimes. This is a great starter or side salad for a cookout, or as lunch alongside a greek yogurt or sandwich.

I also love this salad for a summery meal:

- 1 chopped fresh peach
- chopped, cooked chicken breast
- thinly sliced red onion
- fresh spinach or other salad greens
- toasted walnuts or almonds

Dressing: a homemade poppyseed dressing works really well on this.

Good luck!

Original Post by gi-jane:

This 'Fruity Rice Salad' is another one of my favourites.. Indian spices lift it considerably and it's very filling for just shy of 500 cals.

 That sounds great! Just printed the recipe. Thanks

For lunch today: spinach, goat cheese, roasted red peppers, grilled shrimp, and homemade balsamic vinaigrette (basically just balsamic vinegar and olive oil with some spices)

thanks GIJANE!!

Original Post by gi-jane:

This 'Fruity Rice Salad' is another one of my favourites.. Indian spices lift it considerably and it's very filling for just shy of 500 cals.

 We had this salad last night and it was wonderful!  Thanks for sharing - it will be a fav of mine now.