Salad recipes

This is my copycat of the popular salad sold at McDonald's. It's the only thing I eat off their menu and I was anxious to replicate it at home.

Sweet cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers and crunchy romain lettuce are tossed with a lemon-olive oil vinaigrette, and cheesy Parmesan croutons.

Juicy and sweet cherry tomatoes, peppery arugula, crunchy cucumber and creamy avocado are tossed with a light and tasty vinaigrette. An ideal summer salad.

Gazpacho salad takes all the fresh vegetables from the classic cold soup and serves them chopped over lettuce with a tangy herb dressing. No cooking, no blender, just crisp tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers chilled until the flavors meld.

Originating from the Castle Restaurant, Olean, NY, this house salad dressing was particularly famous. The restaurant closed in the mid-1980's. The recipe was created by Chef Anthony Quirino Lentola in the 1950's.

Tex-Mex spiced chicken tossed with fresh mango, crunchy jicama, and bell peppers in a zesty lime dressing. Served in crispy microwaved tortilla bowls over shredded Bibb lettuce.

Seven layer salad with crisp iceberg, water chestnuts, peas, and a sweet parmesan-mayo dressing, finished with bacon and hard-boiled egg. A make-ahead potluck classic that chills overnight.

California chicken salad with grilled chicken, sweet corn, asparagus, plum tomatoes, turkey bacon, and toasted pine nuts in honey-Dijon dressing. A bright West Coast main-course salad.

Cold bow-tie pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, black olives, cucumbers, radishes, and roasted sunflower seeds in a tangy lemon dressing. A crunchy, make-ahead side dish that's best chilled overnight.

Indonesian cucumber salad featuring crisp vegetables in a tangy sweet and sour dressing with peanuts and chilies. Refreshing side dish that balances rich main courses with bright, pickle-like flavors.

Skip store-bought packets and make your own Italian dressing mix that will keep in the pantry for up to a year.

Reuben burger pie with a ground beef and oatmeal crust filled with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, caraway seeds, and Thousand Island dressing. All the Reuben flavors in pie form.

Spice-rubbed grilled salmon with chili, cumin, allspice, and paprika, served over organic field greens tossed in a smoky tomato-balsamic vinaigrette. A restaurant-quality dinner in 45 minutes.

Flank steak and greens braised with a Cajun-leaning spice blend, browned flour roux, and a quart of mixed greens. The Louisiana-style one-pot beef-and-rice dinner with deep, smoky depth.

Marinated tofu club sandwich on whole wheat French bread with bell peppers, red onion, arugula, and homemade basil mayo. Herb-infused, no cooking required, and packed with Provencal flavor.

Slightly Italian crockpot chicken: slow-cooked chicken breasts with artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and Italian dressing sauce thickened with tapioca. Set-and-forget weeknight dinner for four.