Salad recipes

Sliced tomatoes with raw salsa: ripe tomato slices over a bed of alfalfa sprouts, topped with a chilled fresh salsa of green pepper, scallions, cilantro, cumin, and apple cider vinegar.

Moroccan tagine of okra and tomatoes uses a clever string-the-okra technique to keep pods whole while poaching in spiced tomato sauce. A vegetarian Maghreb classic served hot or warm.

Avocado and mozzarella stuffed tomatoes hollow out vine-ripe tomatoes and fill them with cubed avocado and fresh mozzarella tossed in basil-balsamic vinaigrette. Five-minute summer appetizer with caprese-salad bones.

A Star Trek spin on classic tabbouleh: fluffy bulgur (aka quadrotriticale) tossed with cucumber, tomatoes, green onions, fresh parsley, mint, lemon juice, and olive oil. Boldly go where no grain salad has gone before.

Tomato kachumber with fresh mint, ginger, lime juice, and popped black mustard seeds. A tangy Indian tomato salad that adds bright, cool contrast to any curry or dal.

Eggplant a la Provencale layers golden olive-oil-fried eggplant slices under a slow-simmered tomato, garlic, and parsley sauce. A chilled French summer appetizer or salad.

Seafood lovers will love this succulent lobster dish that is perfect for a romantic dinner for two at home.

Fresh tomatoes hollowed out and stuffed with mashed avocado, chili powder, alfalfa sprouts, and coriander. A light, no-cook Mexican appetizer or healthy snack.

Sun-dried tomato dressing with anchovies, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil blended into a thick, savory vinaigrette. Bold umami flavor in every drizzle.

Fennel Nicoise braises quartered fennel with tomatoes, white wine, and thyme for a silky Provencal side dish served cold. A do-ahead starter from the South of France.

Low-calorie cottage cheese plate with fresh vegetables or tropical fruit, a hard-boiled egg, and rye crisp crackers. A high-protein, no-cook light lunch on a bed of lettuce.

Tofu antipasto salad with bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, and tomatoes in a balsamic-oregano marinade. A colorful vegetarian appetizer or side, no cooking required.

Dried tomato salad dressing made by soaking sun-dried tomatoes in red wine vinegar with basil, thyme, and rosemary in olive oil. No cooking needed, just 6-12 hours to marinate.

Pasta rings tossed in cool, spiced cucumber raita with mint, cumin, and lemon. A summer pasta salad with Indian roots: tangy yogurt, crunchy cucumber, and warm cumin against tender anellini pasta.

A spiced oil made with carrots, sweet bell peppers and red pepper flakes that can really spice up pasta or steamed vegetables.

Microwave cauliflower scramble with frozen cauliflower in cheese sauce, zucchini, tomatoes, and thyme. A quick vegetable side dish ready in 30 minutes with no stovetop needed.