Salad recipes

Marinated bean salad with five beans (yellow, green, kidney, lima, garbanzo) and bell peppers tossed in a sweet-and-tangy brown sugar vinaigrette. Make ahead for picnics, potlucks, and barbecues.

Crunchy spinach salad with bean sprouts, water chestnuts, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs tossed in a sweet brown sugar and ketchup vinaigrette. Crisp, savory, and tangy.

Asian-inspired meatball salad with pan-fried beef meatballs, pineapple chunks, and crisp vegetables tossed in a sweet-and-sour sauce made with soy, vinegar, and white wine. Served chilled over shredded lettuce.

Iowa Thunder and Lightning Salad is a Midwest marinated vegetable salad with cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers in a sweet vinegar and honey dressing. Chills for 2 days for bold flavor.

Marinated shredded chicken with toasted almonds and scallions served in crispy deep-fried wonton wrapper baskets over shredded lettuce. A show-stopping appetizer or party platter that looks as good as it tastes.

Mango chutney with brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, coriander, and cayenne. A quick-cook Indian condiment that improves with age. Makes 8 cups for pairing with curries and grilled meats.

Hawaiian namasu, a Japanese-Hawaiian pickled vegetable salad with cucumber, carrot, onion, and celery in a sweet vinegar brine. Served cold with sliced smoked salmon.

Ginger-glazed ribs baked low and slow in a Dutch oven with a sweet-tangy sauce of brown sugar, ketchup, vinegar, and Italian dressing mix. Basted every 30 minutes for sticky, fall-off-the-bone results.

Browned pork chops baked low and slow in a tangy pineapple, brown sugar, and soy sauce glaze with onions and green peppers. Fork-tender in under 2 hours.

Pickled red beets in a sweet brown sugar and vinegar brine. Old-school canning recipe that yields jewel-toned jars perfect for sandwiches, salads, and holiday relish trays.