Best Salad Recipes
Beet Salad with Walnuts and Goat Cheese
When I was a kid and my mom served beets, I was not a happy camper. I can remember, however, going to a restaurant in Virginia as a newlywed and, for some reason, being inspired to order a beet salad. That salad completely reversed my previous stance on beets and was a recipe I felt…
Balsamic Orange Avocado Oil Vinaigrette
Congratulations to Mary Lou Keller! You are the winner! If you could please email me your complete mailing address and phone number, you will receive your prize soon! NOTE: Chosen Foods has graciously offered to provide a 500 mL bottle of their avocado oil to one lucky reader. For a chance to win, simply comment…
Parmesan Crusted Roasted Potato and Arugula Salad
As summer draws to a close, I am always a little sad to say goodbye to seasonal favorites like peaches and corn on the cob. But with autumn’s cooler temperatures, there are many delicious options to enjoy anew. Crunchy, tart apples, creamy winter squashes, and an array of greens that truly improve as the…
Curried Chicken Rice Salad
A few key ingredients join the usual chicken salad components for a filling meal that hits all the right flavor notes. Someone recently sent me one of her favorite recipes and mentioned that I hope she didn’t think she was being presumptuous. I told her I love it when readers send me their top…
Salmon, Corn, and Cucumber Salad
Corn and Cucumber Salad with Basil and Chives is one of the oldest salads in my repertoire. I return to it again and again for its delicious simplicity. Because the recipe is so basic, it lends itself well to easy adaptations. With Corn, Cucumber and Avocado Salad with Homemade Ranch, I added avocado, tomatoes, and my go-to…
Italian Hoagie Salad
A reader-favorite (and reader-created!) recipe, this satisfying pasta salad was inspired by the classic sandwich and is a tried-and-true crowdpleaser. Easy to make too! It is always a joy to receive recipes from those who read my newspaper column or blog. When readers send me their family favorites, I am always happy to cook them…
Walking Tacos
Walking Tacos offer a fun, portable way to enjoy the traditional taco salad and are perfect for kids’ parties and casual dinners. Those who prefer a plated taco salad may absolutely eat the meal that way. Both of my sons are swimmers and, like so many sports activities, the summer swim meets are always over…
Corn, Cucumber and Avocado Salad with Homemade Ranch
Fresh, flavorful, and versatile, this speedy salad is a great way to use leftover corn on the cob, but frozen and thawed works well too. A few months ago, I was the emcee of a heart health expo. At one point in the program, I was asked to speak about some of the tips I…
Blueberry Avocado Salad with Nancy’s Sweet and Tangy Salad Dressing
After a yoga class one day, my friend Daina told me about her favorite salad. Daina is a master gardener and grows much of what she eats this time of year in her own backyard. She mentioned that her favorite greens are dandelion greens and that she doesn’t use dressing on her salads. Preferring my…
Nancy’s Sweet and Tangy Salad Dressing
While attending a dinner a few months ago where my mother received a well-deserved award for her many years of service to our local Boys & Girls Club, a family friend approached and told me of his wife’s incredible salad dressing. “Nancy always has a jar of her special dressing in the fridge and everybody…
Sweet Cherry & Feta Quinoa with Peach Vinaigrette
A light, flavor-packed salad that’s delightful paired with virtually any grilled protein but stands alone as a complete vegetarian meal. For a vegan alternative, simply omit the feta. And try substituting dried cherries or cranberries when the fresh cherry season has ended. 🍒 Every summer, I make several varieties of homemade jam that we enjoy throughout the…
California Potato Salad
Buttery avocado, juicy tomatoes, and a bit of crisp bacon will shake up your potato salad routine for a light yet filling spin on the classic dish. This absolutely delicious reader recipe was sent to me by Leola, Pennsylvania native Nancy Irvin James, who mentioned that the recipe got its name because she developed it…
