Salad recipes

This scrumptious rice salad is perfect for a picnic with the family or a dinner party with friends.

At a recent party everyone gobbled up this satisfying pasta salad loaded with marinated artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted pepper and tortellini. Literally packed with flavor.

Octopus and celery salad, a light Venetian classic of tender boiled octopus tossed with crisp raw celery, fruity olive oil, and bright lemon. A clean, low-fat seafood salad to serve with fresh bread.

This is one of my absolute favorite things to make at this time of year. It takes almost no time to prepare, so I’ll whip up a big batch on my day off and then all I have to do when I get home is put it in a bowl or mash it up and put it on toasted bread drizzled with some olive oil. It also makes a great appetizer along with some homemade or store-bought pita chips. Honestly, when serving this as a dip or a spread, I don’t even bother taking out my food processor, I just use the bottom of a glass and mash it a bit.

Grilled potatoes tossed with freshly-made parsley pesto, an easy recipe that tastes delicious. Clean, fresh and vibrant flavors perk up plain grilled potatoes. A great side dish perfect for a summer BBQ.

This salad's presentation is quite lovely. The citrus vinaigrette is top notch and we use the leftovers for other vegetables. The combination of orange, lemon, lime and grapefruit really kick it up a notch. If you really want to impress your guests and blow them away with sophistication this is sure to wow them. Or just make the dressing and use it for other dishes and turn any ordinary vegetable into something special.

Quick, easy and flavorful, it goes well with any kind of main course.

Next time when you have some fresh beet greens, or kale or any similar greens, make this easy yet tasty salad with marinated artichoke hearts, pomegranate seeds and creamy fresh mozzarella.

Roasting delivers loads of flavor and meaty mushrooms with texture. The fennel adds lovely subtle sweetness punctuated by the fresh crunch of the radishes topped with a light citrus dressing.

A vibrant kale and mango salad with massaged kale, sweet mango, and crunchy toasted pumpkin seeds in a honey-lemon dressing. Fresh, healthy, and tossed together in minutes.

Minted orange salad with blood oranges, mandarin segments, sweet bell pepper, and fresh mint on red lettuce. Dressed with olive oil and mandarin juice for a bright, refreshing side.

A crisp, raw grated courgette salad with carrot, celery, and red onion, brightened with lemon and piled over lemony baby spinach and sweet diced tomato. Light, fresh, and ready in minutes.

Fresh fruit salad with cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, oranges, grapes, peaches, and watermelon dressed with lemon juice or yogurt. A maple-vodka option for adults.

Moroccan eggplant salad with fried eggplant, garlic, cumin, and red pepper dressed in olive oil and lemon juice. A warm-spiced appetizer served at room temperature.

Broccoli and avocado salad with blanched florets, ripe avocado strips, and a Dijon-garlic red wine vinaigrette. Light, fresh, and naturally vegan with creamy and crisp textures.

Moroccan eggplant salad (zaalouk-style) with sauteed eggplant, grated tomatoes, garlic, red pepper flakes, and parsley. A warm, smoky appetizer served with lemon wedges.