With these options, you'll never eat a sad salad again!
Wheat Berry Salad with Spinach, Orange, and Almond
- [q:2 1/2] cups wheat berries
- 1 tsp Kosher salt
- [q:1/2] cup fresh orange juice
- 2 Tbsp grated orange zest
- [q:1 1/2] Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp finely minced shallot
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- [q:1/2] cup slivered toasted almonds (or pine nuts)
- [q:1/4] tsp black pepper
- [q:1/4] cup low fat feta cheese
- 3 cups organic baby spinach
- [q:1 1/2] cups grape tomatoes, halved
- In a large pan, combine the wheat berries, salt, and 8 cups of water. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat to medium, and briskly simmer for about 1 hour, or until the wheat berries are chewy but not starchy in the middle. (The only way to know they’re done is to bite one.) When done, drain berries and rinse with cold water.
- For the dressing, combine the orange juice and zest, lemon juice, shallot, olive oil, and pepper in a small bowl, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled wheat berries, almonds, feta, spinach, tomatoes, and the vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.
Savory and Sweet Summer Herb and Fruit Salad
- 6 oz of watermelon
- 1 orange
- 2 Tbsp mint
- 2 Tbsp basil
- 2 cup arugula
- [q:1/4] cup feta
- 2 Tbsp orange juice
- 1 Tbsp honey
- [q:1/4] cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- To make the vinaigrette, combine the vinegar, oil, orange juice and honey. Stir together and set aside.
- Lay out fresh, clean arugula in the center of a plate.
- Cut the watermelon into chunks and arrange on one side of the arugula.
- Peel and slice the orange, laying the slices on the other side of the arugula.
- Cut the mint and basil into thin pieces and spread over the entire salad.
- Sprinkle feta cheese over the arugula.
- Serve with the orange-balsamic vinaigrette.
Insalata Estiva
- 1 bunch arugula
- [q:1/2] cup pine nuts
- [q:3/4] pound fresh mozzarella in small balls
- [q:1/4] cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Sea salt
- Preheat the oven to 300°.
- Wash the arugula well to remove all sand and dirt. Spin or gently pat dry and set aside in a large bowl.
- Put the pine nuts on a baking sheet and toast for about 10 minutes, watching closely so they do not burn, until lightly browned. Let cool.
- Add the mozzarella and pine nuts to the arugula and drizzle with oil. Toss the salad so that all the ingredients are lightly coated with oil, then season lightly with salt to taste. Serve immediately.
Romaine Holiday Salad
- 1 head romaine lettuce, well washed
- 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp sunflower seeds, lightly toasted*
- 2 tsp pine nuts, lightly toasted*
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Heat the grill to medium-high.
- Carve the romaine lettuce in half lengthwise. Leave the stem on, to hold the leaves together. Rub the lettuce halves all over with the olive oil.
- Grill the lettuce halves for about 3 minutes per side, or until grill marks begin to appear.
- Divide between two serving plates; sprinkle with the balsamic vinegar, then with the toasted sunflower seeds and pine nuts. Salt and pepper the lettuce to taste, and serve.
Tomato-Cucumber Salad with Parsley and Mint
- 4 medium ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped
- [q:1/2] medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped
- [q:1/3] cup diced red onion
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 Tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- In large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and mint.
- In small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, and mustard. Add to tomato mixture and toss to coat.
- Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Carrot, Cranberry, and Walnut Salad
- 1 lb carrots
- [q:1/2] cup dried cranberries
- [q:1/2] cup toasted, coarsely chopped walnuts (see sidebar)
- 1 4-inch long piece fresh ginger, peeled and shredded on a box grater
- 2 Tbsp minced shallot
- 2 Tbsp cider vinegar
- [q:1/3] cup vegetable oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Using a food processor fitted with the coarse shredding blade, shred carrots. Combine carrots, cranberries, and walnuts in large bowl.
- A handful at a time, squeeze shredded ginger into medium bowl to extract juice. (You should have about 2 tablespoons ginger juice.) Add shallot and vinegar. Gradually whisk in oil. Pour over carrot mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate to soften cranberries, about 1 hour. (Salad can be made up to 2 days ahead.)
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve chilled.
Asparagus Orange Salad
Salad
-
2 bunches asparagus
-
2 firm, ripe tomatoes, cored, quartered, and cut into bite-sized pieces
-
3 blood oranges, peeled and sectioned
-
1 large bunch romaine, shredded
Dressing
-
[q:1/2] c red wine vinegar
-
[q:1/2] c orange juice
-
1 Tbsp fresh garlic, minced
-
1 tsp paprika
-
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
-
For dressing, combine all dressing ingredients and whisk.
-
Remove tough asparagus ends, cut on the diagonal into 1-inch pieces, and blanch.
-
Put asparagus, tomatoes, oranges, and romaine in large bowl. Toss gently with dressing, and serve.
Chef A’s Tip: Be creative! Feel free to forge new fusions. Do you prefer balsamic over red wine vinegar? Go for it! Did you just pick up gorgeous strawberries from the market? Use them instead of oranges for this salad. Remember Pritikin Chef Anthony’s mantra: "If you like foods individually, chances are you will love them when they’re combined." It’s all about discovering new taste treats!
Fritter Sauce and Salad
-
Sauce
- Grated zest and juice of 2 limes
- 2 Tbsp sweet chili sauce
- [q:1/2] tsp crushed red pepper
- 1 tsp sugar
-
Salad
- [q:1/4] white cabbage, finely shredded
- 2 carrots, peeled and grated
- 3 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into thin strips
- 2 scallions, finely sliced
- 1 apple (e.g. a sour Granny Smith), grated
- In a small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients.
- In a large bowl, combine vegetables and apple. Add dressing and mix well. (This will stay fresh for a few hours if well covered.)
Mediterranean Lentil Salad
- 2 cups dried green or brown lentils, sorted and rinsed
- 2 Tbsp olive or grape seed oil
- [q:1/4] cup lemon juice, more to taste
- [q:1/2] cup chopped parsley
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup diced tomato
- 1 cup diced red onion
- 1 cup diced green bell pepper
- Combine lentils and enough water to cover by 3 inches in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until just tender, about 15 to 17 minutes. Strain.
- Whisk together oil, lemon juice, parsley, [q:3/4] teaspoon salt, and [q:1/2] teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add cucumbers, tomato, onion, and bell pepper. Gently stir in cooled lentils, being careful not to break them apart. Season with additional salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste. Serve room temperature or chilled.
Kiddie Cobb Salad
Salad
- 2 cups chopped butter, red leaf, or romaine lettuce
- [q:1/2] cup chopped tomato or 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
- [q:1/2] large ripe avocado, cubed
- 2 or 3 slices smoked turkey or baked tofu, coarsely chopped
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped
- 2 Tbsp crumbled blue cheese (optional)
Dressing
- 1 tsp soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
- 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
- 4 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
- Divide lettuce between two large containers. In each container, arrange half the tomato, avocado, turkey, eggs, and blue cheese (if using) in rows on top of lettuce.
- To make dressing, divide soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil between two small containers. Put on lids and shake well.