Salad Entrees

For those of us looking for healthy low-fat meal alternatives, salad entrees can be a perfect choice. Endless ingredient combinations make salad entrees fun, quick, nourishing and an exciting way to layer food groups and flavors. Leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, nuts, cheese, rice, meats, poultry, fish and herbs can all be enjoyed together in one glorious meal!

So, how do you decide which foods to combine into a great one dish salad? Our method is to first choose a flavor direction. As an example, if you choose a Latin flavor, it is easy to develop a list of Latin ingredients that will compliment each other:

• Cilantro
• Tomatoes
• Onions
• Jalapeno peppers
• Chili powder
• Cumin

  Gourmet Greens with Tomatoes, Pine Nuts, Asiago Cheese & Basil Vinaigrette Served with Herbed Olive Foccacia

• Garlic
• Avocado
• Polenta
• Salsa
• Lime
• Vinaigrette

Once you have your list of ingredients, make a list of options from different food groups:

Greens: Spinach

Vegetables: Tomatoes, onions, garlic, avocado

Meat, poultry or fish: Chicken

Herbs: Cilantro

Cheese: Asiago

Spices: Chili powder, cumin, salt, hot pepper flakes

Once you have your ingredients, wash and spin the greens, prepare a vinaigrette, season and sauté, broil or grill the meat, poultry or fish, and slice vegetables which can be prepared raw or cooked. To assemble, toss the greens with vinaigrette and place on a serving plate. Top with vegetables and spoon on a little more vinaigrette. Slice meat and lay decoratively next to vegetables and top with cheese and fresh herbs.

Here are some great recipe ideas to get you started:

Pan Seared Red Potatoes, Snow Peas, Cilantro Vinaigrette with Almond Crusted Chicken

Peppered Wild Rice Salad with Spinach, Grapes & Thyme Vinaigrette

Gourmet Greens with Tomatoes, Pine Nuts, Asiago Cheese & Basil Vinaigrette Served with Herbed Olive Foccacia

Snapper w/Tomatoes and Spinach

Marinated Steak Salad w/Mixed Greens & Gorgonzola

Mahi Mahi Salad w/Hazelnuts

Noodle Salad w/Shrimp

Balsamic Beef Salad

Chicken Curry Salad

Fresh Orange Salad w/Sauteed Scallops

Grilled Pepper, Corn & Onion Salad w/Balsamic Vinaigrette

Marinated Steak Salad w/Mixed Greens & Gorgonzola

Rice Salad w/Asparagus & Prosciutto

Spring Roasted Salmon Salad

Spinach & Roasted Red Pepper Salad w/Grilled Tuna

Spinach Salad w/ Turkey Picadillo