Salads

Winter Parmesan Celery Salad What type of fennel is best for this celery salad? The best fennel is a fresh, firm, and pale green bulb with tightly layered fronds. Choose bulbs that feel heavy for their size and have no soft spots, cracks, or browning. Fresh fennel has a slightly sweet, anise-like flavor that balances the savory, salty Parmesan and the acidity from lemon juice. Bulbs with fronds still attached are usually fresher, and the fronds can also be finely chopped to garnish the celery salad for additional visual appeal and subtle flavor. Avoid older, woody bulbs as they can … Read more

Roasted Brussels Sprouts Salad with Spicy Gazpacho Can this roasted Brussels sprouts salad be made ahead of time? To make ahead, roast the Brussels sprouts and tomatoes, then cool them completely before storing separately from the fresh herb and citrus salad. The gazpacho base can also be made in advance and kept chilled in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, combine the cooled roasted vegetables with the herb salad and place over the gazpacho. Preparing the salad ahead saves time while maintaining freshness, but it is recommended to add the radish and red onion slices just before serving to retain … Read more

Summer Wild Rice Salad with Green Goddess Tahini Can I make this summer wild rice salad vegan? The salad is easily made vegan by omitting the feta or goat cheese or swapping it with plant-based cheese alternatives like vegan feta or seasoned tofu, and replacing honey with maple. What type of wild rice blend works best for this summer wild rice salad? A blend combining wild rice with brown rice or other whole grains works best for this summer wild rice salad. This combination offers a pleasing mix of textures, with chewy wild rice balanced by softer grains. Using a … Read more

Crispy Tofu Salad with Lemon-Honey Dressing How can I make crispy tofu salad ahead of time? Prepare the tofu and salad components separately. Bake the tofu until golden and let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore crispiness before serving. Keep the vegetables undressed in the fridge and prepare the vinaigrette in a separate jar. Assemble the salad just before serving to maintain texture and flavor. Can I add grains or legumes to the salad? Adding grains or legumes to … Read more

Beet and Strawberry Salad With Feta and Honey Balsamic What kind of cheese can I use instead of feta? Use ricotta salata, or a mild goat cheese. Feta is the closest match, offering a similar tangy, crumbly texture that complements the sweet beets and strawberries. Ricotta salata is firmer and milder, while goat cheese adds creaminess. For a dairy-free option, try vegan feta made from almonds or tofu. Season the vegan version with lemon juice and sea salt to mimic the sharpness of the feta. Can I roast the beets instead of boiling them? To roast beets for beet and … Read more

Crispy Sweet Potato Salad with Brie and Pecans How can I make this crispy sweet potato salad vegan? Omit the Brie cheese or replace it with a plant-based cheese that has a soft, creamy texture, such as cashew-based Brie or almond cheese. In the dressing, use date syrup instead of honey to keep it fully plant-based. Ensure the sweet potato is baked with olive oil or a neutral vegetable spray. The rest of the ingredients—romaine, arugula, fruit, and pecans—are naturally vegan. What wine pairs well with the crispy sweet potato salad? A crisp, unoaked white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc … Read more

Middle Eastern Watermelon Salad What type of feta works best for Middle Eastern watermelon salad? It’s best to use a firm, brined feta made from sheep’s milk or a combination of sheep’s and goat’s milk. This type holds its shape well and adds the ideal salty contrast to the sweet watermelon and herbed salsa. Avoid pre-crumbled feta, which is often drier and coated in anti-caking agents. Instead, buy feta in a block and crumble it by hand just before serving. Bulgarian or Greek feta tends to have the right balance of saltiness and creaminess for this refreshing dish. Can I … Read more