# Main course salad recipes **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 7, 2007, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246 "2007-02-07T19:06:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![samm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/858c86/32.png) [@samm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samm)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/1 "2007-02-07T19:06:40Z")
I need to eat more veggies. I want to start making new and different salads for dinner during the week. I thought some of you could help me brainstorm. I like/have made: ‘Original’ Salad - iceburg, tomato, cucumber with ranch dressing Greek Salad - feta, olives, tomato, cucumber with lemon juice dressing Mexican Salad - black beans, corn, avocado with salsa dressing Caesar Salad - croutons and parmesan and (vegetarian) caesar dressing BC Salad - with blue cheese crumbles and dressing, hazel nuts and cranberries There must be dozens of salad ‘themes’ that I am missing? Or maybe you can just recommend some ingredients that I haven’t thought of that I can mix and match? I’m getting hungry and trying to plan for tonight. What are your favorites? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/2 "2007-02-07T19:12:40Z")
I like spinach with a dressing made from olive oil, vinegar and garlic. Perhaps some cherry tomatoes and or garbazo beans, a little onion. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/3 "2007-02-07T19:16:28Z")
A favorite salad of mine growing up was Seven Layer Salad. It contains: Iceburg Lettuce celery (chopped) onions (chopped) about 4 hard boiled eggs (sliced or crumbled) peas (raw, frozen works well) bacon bits mayo (a bit of sugar added is really good! Like a tablespoon or so) cheese (shredded cheddar or taco cheese works really well) Put all of those ingredients in order in layers and serve! ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/4 "2007-02-07T19:21:37Z")
A favourite salad in my family is brocolli salad. Going from memory, it’s brocolli, feta, raisins and onion with a sauce made of yogurt, a little sugar and a couple other things. Not completely healthy, but really good. ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/5 "2007-02-07T19:24:58Z")
I like salad Nicoise without anchovy 110g/4oz mixed salad leaves 2 tins of tuna in oil 110g/4oz French beans, cooked until just done 4 tomatoes, each cut into 8 4 hard boiled eggs, quartered 10-12 cooked new potatoes, cut into quarters handful black olives small tin anchovies in oi For the dressing: 6 tbsp olive oil 1 tsp Dijon mustard 2 tbsp white wine vinegar salt and pepper ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/6 "2007-02-07T19:31:01Z")
I’ve been enjoying variations on a theme with spinach salads in the past six months or so, with the following ingredients: spinach bacon vinaigrette (preferably a balsalmic vinaigrette or a bacon-infused one) tomato\* goat cheese/mild blue cheese crumbles mushrooms\* onions\* \*lightly sauteed and then plated over raw spinach makes it really delicious You could also try out adding seared tuna, kidney beans and haricots verts (skinny green beans) and do a variation on a tuna salad nicoise. ---
**Author:** ![StinkyBurrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@StinkyBurrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StinkyBurrito)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/7 "2007-02-07T19:33:06Z")
SPICY THAI SALAD 8 oz. rice noodles (rice sticks) 6 tbsp. vegetable oil 1/2 c. canned chicken broth 1/4 c. tamari soy sauce 1/4 c. rice vinegar 2 tbsp. chili paste, available at Oriental Markets 1/2 tsp. sugar 3/4 lb. pork loin, cut julienne 1 med. onion, cut julienne 2 med. carrots, peeled and cut julienne 8 celery stalks, cut 1/2 head Napa cabbage, shredded 1 bunch green onions, chopped 1 sm. bunch cilantro, minced Cook noodles until tender but firm. Do not overcook. Drain and toss with 3 tbsp. oil; set aside. Mix stock, soy sauce, vinegar, chili paste and sugar in small bowl. Stir fry pork in wok. Add onion, set aside. Stir fry the rest of the vegetables but cabbage. Combine pork and onions, vegetables, cabbage, cilantro and the sauce. Mix well. Can be served hot or cold. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2007, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/8 "2007-02-07T19:39:24Z")
My standard dinner for the last year or so (I have an amazing capacity to eat the same thing day after day after day…): Romaine lettuce 1/2 cuke, peeled and sliced 1/2 grilled chicken breast, sliced [1/2 avocado, sliced]\* Tablespoon or so of crumbled Gorgonzola Italian dressing \*when avocados are on sale ---
**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/9 "2007-02-08T04:53:38Z")
[QUOTE=Antinor01] A favorite salad of mine growing up was Seven Layer Salad. It contains: Iceburg Lettuce celery (chopped) onions (chopped) about 4 hard boiled eggs (sliced or crumbled) peas (raw, frozen works well) bacon bits mayo (a bit of [del]sugar[/del] added is really good! Like a tablespoon or so) cheese (shredded cheddar or taco cheese works really well) Put all of those ingredients in order in layers and serve! [/QUOTE] Add nutrisweet or splenda. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/10 "2007-02-08T06:07:43Z")
I had a great one on the weekend served with marinated grilled Portuguese chicken breasts. I only helped by doing the oranges but it seemed to be: A bag of salad leaves and a bag of baby spinach leaves A large can of whole beetroot drained and the large ones cut up to the size of the smallest ones 2 avocados cut into chunks the same size 2 large juicy oranges peeled and segmented. Halve the segments. Dress with macadamia oil, lemon juice and honet to taste and toss together ---
**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/11 "2007-02-08T06:10:40Z")
Mandarin orange sections (the kind that come in cans) go great on spinach salads. I usually never have them on hand, but I often add raisins to my salads for a sweet taste. Sliced strawberries are wonderful on salads too, especially with balsamic vinegar. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/12 "2007-02-08T06:15:19Z")
I got this from Allrecipes and it’s pretty much my staple salad recipe: 4 cups rocket (arugula) leaves, rinsed and dried 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved 1/4 cup pine nuts 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon rice vinegar salt to taste freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese 1 large avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced In a large plastic bowl with a lid, combine rocket (arugula), cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, oil, vinegar, and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover, and shake to mix. Divide salad onto plates, and top with slices of avocado. ---
**Author:** ![Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/c4cdca/32.png) [@Quiddity\_Glomfuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quiddity_Glomfuster)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/13 "2007-02-08T07:01:03Z")
You can make rice or pasta salads and then add whatever yummies you like. I’ve done celery and peas and red pepper - really nice. Last night, I had a celery of sliced cooked beet, celery, walnuts, and a hard-boiled egg with a roasted cherry & onion dressing. You can put pretty much anything into salads. Here’s some ingredients to try grated carrot chickpeas nuts sundried tomatoes celery (good old Waldorf salad is fun) peppers sweet onion oranges apples (nice with spinach and walnuts and a yogurt dressing) avocado spinach mushrooms dried fruit feta shaved parmesan shaved asiago cauliflower (good in a salad with spinach and avocado with a dijon dressing and toasted almonds) broccoli (try red onion and raisins and you can add bacon or leave it out) cabbage - different kinds of coleslaws, cabbage & apple salad potatoes (potato salad is yum) tomatoes of course; tomato and avocado with Italian dressing is great citrus slices baby corn Now I’m hungry! ---
**Author:** ![turtle\_dove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e7dd6/32.png) [@turtle\_dove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/turtle_dove)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/14 "2007-02-08T07:27:09Z")
Taco flavored doritos, shredded cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, italian dressing. Tomato, cucumber, hard boiled eggs, bacon bits, mozzarella cheese, crumbled garlic bread, ranch dressing. ---
**Author:** ![jellyblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@jellyblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jellyblue)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/15 "2007-02-08T07:35:49Z")
For something a little heartier, you could try one with an Italian theme: Romaine Radicchio Shredded fresh basil Tomatoes Cooked cheese tortellinis, room temp mozzarella chunks or parmesan black olives topped with Italian dressing or vinaigrette Something else I like: Romaine Frisee (the curly stuff) Sectioned grapefruit, cut into bits slivered brie crostini top with full on Caesar dressing (anchovy paste included). A nice snack or appetizer: Mix wasabi powder (or paste - no soy sauce!) into fat free cream cheese and pipe onto endive leaves, split carrots, blanched snow peas and celery. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![threnodyangelfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@threnodyangelfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threnodyangelfire)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/16 "2007-02-08T08:29:27Z")
an easy low fat but yummy salad is: a bed of iceberg lettuce, cold and crisp, with roasted pumpkin (cut into small pieces before roasting the bejesus out of it :D) with crumbled low fat fetta and a splash of balsamic vinegar over it my next favourite is: shredded iceberg lettuce blanched broccoli shredded snowpeas roasted kumera pieces spanish onion low fat fetta blanched asparagus pieces avocado (about a 1/2) a very small amount of shaved parmesan drizzle the sides of a bowl in an olive oil/garlic mix and add the ingredients. Stir the ingredients until coated. Enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![JustAnotherGeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@JustAnotherGeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustAnotherGeek)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/17 "2007-02-08T12:43:29Z")
Panzanella is supposed to be a “bread salad,” IIRC. However, I love Alton Brown’s BLT take on it: [http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD\_9936\_20176,00.html?rsrc=search](http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_20176,00.html?rsrc=search) > [@](#): > > 4 cups French bread cut into 1-inch cubes and dried overnight > 6 slices bacon, cooked, chopped, drippings reserved > 2 cups halved grape tomatoes > 2 tablespoons oil, for searing > 2 cups halved yellow pear tomatoes or roughly chopped heirloom tomatoes > 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce > Vinaigrette: > 1/4 cup red wine vinegar > 1/4 teaspoon salt > 1/4 teaspoon pepper > 3 tablespoons olive oil > 1 tablespoon chiffonade mint > 1 tablespoon chiffonade basil > Toss bread cubes in the bacon drippings. Sear the halved grape tomatoes in 2 tablespoons of oil, cut side down, until caramelized about 5 minutes, set aside. > Combine red wine vinegar, salt and pepper in a bowl, slowly whisk in olive oil in a thin stream until emulsified. > > Combine all tomatoes, bread, bacon, and lettuce and dress with vinaigrette, toss well, garnish with mint and basil and serve. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/18 "2007-02-08T13:04:16Z")
Shred/cut into mathsticks cabbage, carrots, onion, tomato and hot green chilis. Add minced garlic and shredded ginger. Top with salt, pepper, vinigar and mustard seeds. Excellent with peppery crepes- would be awesome with some deep fried light tofu. Cut tomatoes into slices. Add matchsticked carrots and scallions. Add salt, grated ginger, a the juice of a couple limes. Simple. Good. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/19 "2007-02-08T13:50:31Z")
Every time I read _Jean de Florette_, which I’m doing right now, I get hungry for a “fine salad of chick-peas and onions”. I add a few more goodies to it: 1 drained can of chick peas 1/2 of a sweet red or maui onion, slivered 12 kalamata onions, roughly chopped handful of Italian parsley, chopped 12 cherry tomatoes, halved 2 stalks of celery, chopped 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil sprinkle of salt lots of freshly cracked pepper Toss it all together thoroughly. Serve it on lettuce leaves, if desired. Otherwise, keep it in a container in the fridge, and eat by standing in front of the fridge with a spoon. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2007, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246/20 "2007-02-08T13:56:04Z")
You could make a steak salad Pittsburgh style. Bed of greens, some carrot and celery, maybe an onion slice, black olives. Usually some cubed beets are thrown on as well, as well as a quartered hard-cooked egg. Then a good portion of grilled sliced sirloin or round steak is added, and the whole ensemble is topped with a handful of crispy french fries. Use your favorite dressing. I usually use a simple vinegar and oil. I make no claims for the health benefits of this salad. But it tastes great. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/main-course-salad-recipes/391246.md?page=2)