Salad recipes

Silky eggplant slices fried golden, then chilled in a spiced tomato bath with cinnamon, mint, and red pepper flakes. This Afghan salad tastes bright, tangy, and just a little bit dangerous.

Spicy Thai cold pasta salad with red and green bell peppers, scallions, and toasted black sesame seeds in a hot sesame oil, brown rice vinegar, and mirin dressing. A fast vegetarian potluck salad served chilled.

Spicy Mexican jicama salad with tangerines, apple, cantaloupe, cilantro, and a dusting of chili powder. A crisp, no-cook fruit salad in the style of Mexican street fruit cups.

Four-ingredient hot bacon dressing with picante sauce and red wine vinegar. Drizzle over spinach salads or sliced tomatoes for a smoky, spicy kick.

A bright Vietnamese salad of diced shrimp and pork tossed with lime, garlic, coriander, chili, and fresh mint. No cooking required, ready in 20 minutes.

Two-ingredient spicy Italian dressing made by mixing picante sauce with Italian dressing. Use it on salads, as a veggie marinade, or tossed with shrimp. Ready in 10 minutes, makes 3/4 cup.

An easy to make coleslaw with south Asian flavors and a bit of a kick.

Cold spicy soba noodles tossed in a creamy tahini, sesame oil, and chili dressing with reduced soy sauce, brown sugar, and balsamic. The Japanese-style cold noodle bowl ready in 40 minutes.

Cold chewy noodles with shredded chicken and silky egg strips in spicy Sichuan dressing. This make-ahead Chinese salad is perfect for hot summer nights, ready in an hour.

Thai-inspired chopped chicken salad tossed with shallots, scallions, jalapeño, lemon juice, soy sauce, and fresh mint and cilantro. A bright, no-cook dish ready in 15 minutes.