Salad Recipe?

Question

I'm planning an Italian themed dinner party for 8 and I need some ideas or recipes for a nice salad to serve with it. The main course is chicken piccata and mushroom parmesan orzo for a side dish. I would like to serve something that would be as appealing in presentation as it is in taste. I've already checked recipe sites and nothing has quite jumped out at me yet as the right recipe. Maybe someone has a recipe that you've served to guests and gotten rave reviews that you'd like to share? Thanks in advance to all who answer.

Answer 1

Tomato and fresh mozzerella salad-slice some roma tomatoes and FRESH mozzerella cheese. Get a pretty plate and lay one slice of tomato and one slice of mozzerella side by side making a circle around the plate from the outside of the plate to the middle. Next sprinkle salt (I use Adoboe cause it has garlic and oregano in it) fresh ground pepper and drizzle extra virgin olive oil over it and balsamic vinegar. Next top with some chopped fresh basil and oregano. My family loves this and my kids don't even like tomatoes!

Answer 2

Hello,

Sounds like a great idea for a party.. I'm not sure if this salad will go with the "theme" of your party however it is one of my favorite salads and it has a beautiful presentation when it is finished... It is a Spinach/ strawberry salad. Only use spinach for your greens add half or quarter sliced strawberries (as many as you'd like) and candied walnuts... top the salad with a Balsamic vinagarette dressing (I like Newman's the best!). After everything is added together toss lightly.. the strawberries will add beautiful color to your salad. All of these flavors blend so well together it is sure to be a hit!

Answer 3

I like to make a salad with some nice fresh greens, drained and rinsed cannelini beans (as they tend to be salty in the can) some goat cheese, grape tomatoes, and some olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Add some sea salt to the top, and serve-delish! It will go well with the Italian theme, and the creaminess of the cannelinni beans and goat cheese make for a nice texture mix with the greens. Enjoy!

Answer 4

Mid-Summer Italian Bread Salad

1 clove garlic
1 (1 pound) loaf Italian bread
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1 cup cucumber - peeled, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups chopped fresh basil
1/8 cup chopped fresh thyme
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Rub a peeled clove of garlic around a wooden salad bowl.
Pull apart or chop the bread into bite-size pieces.
In the prepared salad bowl, combine the bread, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, garlic, basil and thyme. Add enough olive oil and vinegar to lightly coat, toss and serve.

Answer 5

A nice caprese salad is always good.

Ripe roma tomatoes
fresh mozarella cheese
fresh basil leaves
good olive oil
cracked black pepper
kosher salt to taste

Slice tomatoes and sprinkle with salt. Slice mozarella cheese in 1/4 inch slices. Layer as follows: tomatoe, basil leaf, cheese.
When finished, sprinkle with olive oil and cracked pepper.

Yum!

Answer 6

I'm really going to have to second the panzanella (bread salad). It's incredible and colorful and so good. Get a good hearty loaf like sourdough for it so it stands up to the dressing. I garnished mine with black olives and grated Parmesan.

Answer 7

This salad goes with everything, and I've NEVER had even the pickiest of eaters turn their nose up at it:
http://wehow.ehow.com/how_2021738_that-men-will-actually-eat.html