Salad recipes

Cold quinoa olive salad with green and black olives, pine nuts, red bell pepper, and umeboshi plum vinegar. A protein-packed vegetarian side with Mediterranean-Japanese flavors.

Larb (larp): Thai-Isaan minced beef salad with fire-roasted garlic and shallots, toasted rice powder, fish sauce, lime, chili, and fresh herbs. Served in lettuce cups with mint.

Pickled cherries with stems on, packed in apple cider vinegar brine sweetened with brown sugar. A cocktail garnish, charcuterie board star, and salad topper that keeps for months.

Light raspberry vinaigrette made with raspberry vinegar and orange juice instead of oil. A fat-free, fruity salad dressing that comes together in 5 minutes with just 4 ingredients.

Toasted country bread brushed with olive oil and oven-toasted until golden, the base for bruschetta and tomato salad toasts. Two ingredients, restaurant-quality crunch.

Two sugar-free salad dressings in one recipe: a tangy vinegar base with dry mustard and paprika, plus a poppy seed variation with apple cider vinegar. Diabetic-friendly and oil-free.

Homemade tahini from scratch with just toasted sesame seeds and oil. Smooth, nutty paste for hummus, baba ganoush, salad dressings, and Middle Eastern cooking. Keeps for months in the fridge.

Indian chilled carrot salad (Sonf Gazar Subji) with cumin, turmeric, asafetida, and fresh dill, tossed with brown rice and eggless mayo. A spiced, cold vegetarian side dish.

Soba noodle and cucumber salad with daikon sprouts and seared ahi tuna. A cold Japanese-style noodle plate finished with chile oil drizzle. Light, fresh, restaurant-style.

Poor man's shrimp transforms cubed salmon into shrimp-like bites by quick-poaching in heavily salted water. A vintage frugal cooking trick that yields firm, pink, shrimp-textured salmon for cocktails or salads.

White bean salad tossed in a roasted garlic and Dijon dressing with red peppers, oregano, and garlic-rubbed croutons. Served on chicory for a hearty, plant-forward lunch.

Turmeric oyster crackers are a microwave snack mix flavored with garlic, dill, and chicken bouillon. A golden, savory twist on seasoned crackers for parties, salads, and soup toppers.

Savory honeydew melon tossed with rice vinegar, fresh chile strips, and torn cilantro. A four-ingredient cool fruit salad that turns sweet melon into a Thai-inspired brunch starter.

Cold chewy noodles with shredded chicken and silky egg strips in spicy Sichuan dressing. This make-ahead Chinese salad is perfect for hot summer nights, ready in an hour.

Crispy baked tortilla baskets shaped in a brioche pan. Just oil and a flour tortilla, baked golden at high heat for a crunchy edible bowl for salads and fillings.

Minted peaches and melons is a fresh summer fruit salad of ripe peaches and cantaloupe in a light orange-lemon dressing, finished with chopped mint and toasted almonds. No cooking, and easy to make ahead.