Top 10 Salad Recipes

It is widely believed that salads make for nutritious meals that can help a person maintain good health and fitness levels. Of course, with all their raw vegetables, salads certainly are packed with nutrition. Of course, some people have the mistaken notion that salads are bland and not very filling. In actuality, salads can be very innovative and tasty, especially if one hits upon a great recipe that balances flavor with nourishment. The best part about such salads is that they do not take too much time or effort to make and promise a fresh, light meal. Here are ten salad recipes that you can try when you want to eat a healthy meal.

Poppy Seed Fruit Salad

This salad is for those who are looking for a mouth-watering concoction of health-foods, and the best part is, it caters to one’s sweet-tooth as well! The fruits required include one can of preserved pineapples or 20 ounces fresh variety; 1 kiwi that is peeled, halved and sliced; 1 orange that is peeled, deseeded and segmented; and 1 cup seedless grapes. In a big bowl, add ¼ teaspoon of grated lime rind, one teaspoon of poppy seeds, two tablespoon lime juice, and one tablespoon honey. Mix them evenly, toss in the fruits, and mix again. This makes for a delightful sweet-tangy salad for the fruit-lovers!

Teriyaki Chicken Salad

This salad is for the fitness gurus who are looking to enjoy a low-carb, high protein meal. First of all, collect the veggies. You’ll need 8 cups of baby spinach, 10 cups of sliced shitake mushrooms, 1 ½ cups chopped green onions, two tablespoons of minced ginger and one tablespoon minced garlic. Heat one tablespoon of peanut oil in a skillet and add 8 ounces of skinless, boneless chicken cut into bite-sized pieces. Season the chicken with ¼ teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt and cook until chicken is almost done (about 3 minutes). Remove the chicken from the pan and add the mushrooms and seasoning. Stir-fry for about 6 minutes until almost all water evaporates. Then add one tablespoon of peanut oil, the ginger, and garlic and cook for about a minute. Add the chicken, three tablespoons of soy sauce, one teaspoon of vinegar, one tablespoon honey and two tablespoons of water. Remove from pan after two minutes, add in the baby spinach, and green onions and enjoy a protein-packed meal!

Spicy Pasta Salad

Who says salad has to be bland and boring? Here’s a spicy pasta salad that promises a big burst of flavor. Add two tablespoons of white miso or soy sauce to a bowl. Mix in 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, honey, and water. Additionally, add in 2 teaspoons of sesame oil, three tablespoons toasted sesame seeds, one teaspoon crushed pepper and ¼ teaspoon salt. Finally, add 1 cup of thinly chopped green onions and 4 cups of thinly cut cucumber to the bowl. Boil and strain one pack (9 ounces) of any pasta (linguine recommended) and add to the above mixture; your fiery pasta salad is ready!

Simple Herb Salad

If you want a healthy, simple salad that is seriously low on calories, this herby salad will do the trick. Create a quick dressing by whisking in 1part lemon juice with three parts of olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste along with some dried chili flakes. Toss in some basil, tarragon, dill, lettuce, and chives in a big bowl. Pour in the dressing, mix well, and enjoy a guilt-free, nutritious meal!

Mango and Bean Salad

This is a delicate, flavor-rich dish that can also be served as an appetizer at parties. The ingredients and preparation procedures are fairly simple. Collect these ingredients: 1 can of organic black beans or 15 ounces of the fresh, boiled variety. Also, slice green onions thinly to yield about 1 cup, prepare ½ cup cooked brown rice, and chop about two tablespoons of cilantro. Add two tablespoons of salsa, lime juice, and extra virgin olive oil to a bowl and combine. Add in the remaining dry ingredients and season to taste. You’ll find this to be a fine, fibrous, filling salad that you can even serve to guests.

Lentil and Pepper Colour Blast Salad

This colorful salad looks as good as it tastes. Plus, this delicious lentil salad is full of vitamins and minerals. Start by chopping and seeding one red, yellow, and red pepper. Chop ½ cup-full of onion, green onions, and cherry tomatoes each. Preheat the grill to a high temperature and grill the peppers skin-side down for about 12 minutes until they are slightly charred. Let them cool for about 15 minutes and remove the skins. Season with salt and pepper. Boil the lentils with the chopped onions and let the water simmer for 20 minutes or until lentils are tender. Strain and remove the onions and place the lentils in a bowl. Add in the bell peppers, more salt, and pepper, 1/3 cup of lime juice, three tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and the remaining ingredients that have been prepped. Mix well and savor this culinary delight!

Chickpea Salad with a Sweet Twist

This simple chickpea salad makes for a hearty meal that keeps one satiated for many hours. Add 1 ½ cups of boiling water to 1 ½ cups of cracked wheat. Cover and let it stand for 30 minutes. Add 1 cup-full of chopped, dried figs and dried cranberries each, and stir. Toss in 1 cup of chopped parsley, ½ cup chopped, fresh mint, ½ cup lemon juice, two tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, and one can of drained chickpeas. Season with salt and pepper and voila! This yummy, flavorful salad will tingle your taste-buds.

5-Minute Spicy Carrots Salad

This spicy carrot salad is a wonderful dish for those folk who want a healthy meal but without much effort. This salad takes a mere five minutes to make. Boil 2 cups of grated carrots with one teaspoon of minced ginger. Once the carrots are slightly tender, strain the mixture and set it aside. Mix 1/3 cup of lime juice with 1/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil and season with salt, red pepper flakes, and chopped parsley. Add the carrot mixture to the bowl of dressing and combine well. A delicate, scrumptious salad has been prepared in a matter of minutes!

Lean Shrimp Salad

A great recipe for night-time meals, this salad is light, satiating, and packed with proteins and micronutrients. Season ¾ pound of peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and pepper. Shallow fry the shrimp with fennel seeds in a skillet filled with one tablespoon of olive oil. Cook the shrimp until it is opaque while turning frequently. Take shrimp off the heat when done and pour three tablespoons of lemon juice into the pan. In another bowl, combine a small bunch of stemless watercress, five thinly sliced radishes, ¼ cup chopped mint leaves, one tablespoon of lemon juice, and extra-virgin olive oil each. Add shrimp to the mix, crumble desired quantities of feta cheese over it, and enjoy the tasty salad guilt-free!

Creamy Potato Salad

The classic combination of starchy potatoes and light, creamy sauce never fails to delight. Boil about 2 pounds of baby potatoes until they are tender. Drain and sprinkle with a mixture of 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar and two tablespoons dry white wine. In another bowl, mix in 1 clove of finely chopped garlic, four tablespoons of low-fat mayonnaise, and six tablespoons of plain yogurt. Add ½ a diced cucumber, ½ cup sliced green onions, and two tablespoons each of fresh dill, and tarragon to the potatoes. Spoon in the yogurt mixture into the bowl of potatoes and serve after refrigeration. Ah, delicious!