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.

Loved the idea of infusing curry, chili powder and cumin seeds in the oil, which made the curry oil so flavorful. The combination of apples, bell peppers, celeries, raisins, and peas (I used peas instead of snow peas) was delicious with the curried rice.

A veggie hating friend was over dinner and declared "wow, if my mom made vegetables like this!" as he went for seconds. The maple coated cashews are excellent in this recipe and the gentle touch of sweetness balanced with the curry is great.

Fresh vegetables, seasoned with garlic, salt, sesame oil, olive oil and a touch of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Refreshing and crunchy!

Wheat berries, chickpeas, roasted bell peppers, and arugula are tossed with a refreshing and flavorful dressing. It fills you up with lots of goodness and yumminess.

Chickpeas toss with crisp bell peppers, scallions, and cilantro in a cumin-spiked dressing brightened by ginger, garlic, and fresh lemon juice. Chill overnight for a make-ahead potluck winner.

A chilled, crunchy gazpacho-style soup packed with black beans, corn, jicama, peppers, cucumber, and zucchini in tangy tomato juice. Low-fat, vegetarian, and loaded with fresh vegetables.

Mexicali pasta salad: tricolor pasta tossed with tart tomatillos, sweet pineapple chunks, jalapeño, cilantro, and a lime-zest dressing made from the reserved pineapple juice. Sweet, tangy, fiery summer side.

Easy chickpea salad with scallions, cilantro, lemon juice and a hit of cayenne. Bright, no-cook vegetarian side dish high in fiber and protein.

Cilantro potato salad dressed in a homemade cilantro-garlic mayonnaise made from scratch in the blender. A bold, herby twist on classic potato salad.

Southwest pasta salad with a creamy cilantro-lime-jalapeno dressing, fresh tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, and zucchini. A zesty make-ahead side that chills in an hour.

Chinese-style drunken chicken salad marinated overnight in sherry, then served cold on red lettuce with toasted sesame seeds, cilantro, and scallions. Elegant, refreshing, and make-ahead friendly.

Cold Mexican rice salad with fresh jalapeños, tomatoes, cilantro, and a red wine vinegar dressing. A no-cook side dish that chills in 2 hours and brightens any taco night.

Caribbean shrimp and black bean salad: poached pink shrimp ringed around a chilled black bean salad punched up with picante, lime, honey, cilantro, and red onion. Make-ahead summer plate.

Oasis carrot salad boils carrots tender then marinates them in garlic-onion-vinegar dressing, finished with fresh cilantro and parsley. A bright, make-ahead North African-style side.

A low-fat Brazilan bean salad, perfect for a summer pot-luck, make-ahead black bean salad recipe.