we are always having friends round at the weekend and eating al fresco anyone got good salad bowl ideas?

Question

i am fed up doing the same old salads like potato, coleslaw and rice with peppers and peas! help!

Answer 1

Caprese Salad
Ingredients
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon)
1/2 teaspoon

salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/4 pounds

assorted tomatoes (such as regular vine-ripened tomatoes, plum tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and yellow teardrop tomatoes)
6 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, drained and sliced
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil leaves


Method


1. Whisk the lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil to blend. Set the dressing aside.

2. Cut the regular tomatoes into 1/4-inch-thick slices, and the plum tomatoes into wedges. Cut the cherry, grape, and teardrop tomatoes in half.

3. Arrange the tomatoes and cheese on a platter. Drizzle the dressing over. Sprinkle with basil and additional salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

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Roasted Summer Vegetable Salad
1 ear corn - grilled, shucked, and cut off the cob
1 red pepper -- roasted, peeled, and cut into a 1/2-inch dice
1 tomato -- grilled, peeled, seeded, and cut into a 1/2-inch dice
2 zucchini or other summer squash -- cut into 1/2-inch slices, grilled, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 ounces extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

Combine all ingredients. Marinate for 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Answer 2

These are the ones that I have done for some barbecues in the past:

New Potato, Avocado & Cress

Feta, Cucumber, Tomato, Black Olives, Shallots

Spinach, Watercress, Rocket & Herbs

Kidney Beans, Haricot Beans and Cannellini Beans, Tomatoes, Chilli, Onion, Garlic, Basil

Asparagus, Broccoli, Green Bean, Courgette & Pea

Penne Pasta, Grilled Peppers, Chilli, Sundried Tomatoes & Basil

Keep the dressings nice and simple (lemon juice and olive oil, salt and pepper)

Answer 3

I have a shrimp pasta that I love. The recipe I have is for an individual, but you can multiply it as needed.

6 oz fresh shrimp, cooked, peeled, and chopped
3 oz cooked spiral pasta, cooled
1/2 red bell pepper chopped
1/2 cup frozen broccoli, thawed and chopped
2 tbsp mayonnaise
1 tsp dill
pinch salt and pepper

Mix it all together and let sit in fridge for about a half hour before serving. When I use it as a side dish I get a TON of compliments, I think because it is heavy on the shrimp and veggies and a little light on the pasta.

Answer 4

how about cucumber salad? This one is popular with my family, Peel and slice on the crater into a bowl, add 1 tsp. salt, leave to stand for half an hour, then drain excess liquid, add 2 tbl spoons lemon juice, 1 tsp sugar, shake of pepper and a dollop of mayo. Stir thorouhly, if needed adjust to taste. Especially good with cooked/barbequed chicken. Guten Appetit !

Answer 5

Get a package of tri-color spiral pasta (Rotini). Cook per package instructions, set aside to cool. Chop up some onion & green pepper, slice some black olives. Put the pasta in a large bowl with the chopped veggies, some pepperoni slices, and enough bottled Italian Salad Dressing to make a good salad consistency.

This is one of my favorite summer salads!

Answer 6

This is a unique, light, interesting and tasty accompaniment to anything!

Asian Salad

1 cup olive oil
6 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon black pepper
½ cup sugar
2 packages ramen noodles (crushed) use seasoning mix
36 ounces Cabbage (shredded)
1 cup almond slivers
1 bunch green onion (chopped)
16 ounces sunflower seeds

Mix oil, vinegar, pepper and sugar and set aside. Mix remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Stir in oil mixture. Mix well and chill for several hours.

Answer 7

Greek Pasta Salad.... sounds great =)

12 ounces spiral pasta, cooked
1 diced green bell pepper
1 diced red bell pepper
1 peeled, seeded, and diced tomato
1 cup sliced scallions
1/2 pound crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup sliced Greek olives
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried dill
Salt
Pepper

** You can add grilled chicken or lamb to this if you like =)

Toss together the pasta, peppers, tomato, scallions, feta, and olives. Whisk together the remaining ingredients and pour it over the salad. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 24 hours before serving.

Makes 8 servings

Here is a link to a site that has a lot of nice summer recipes.

Answer 8

i got this recipe from cooking light. my husband and i fell in love with it. even my 3 year old and her cousins (ages 6-13) eat it up. i make the dressing, but leave it on the side so the kids can pick their own dressing, but this one it good. i prefer "brianna's poppyseed dressing', it compliments it well.

Chicken-Penne Salad with Green Beans

2 cups uncooked penne (tube-shaped) pasta
2 cups (1-inch) cut green beans (about 1/2 pound)
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup vertically sliced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 (7-ounce) bottle roasted red bell pepper, drained and cut into thin strips
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon black pepper


Cook pasta in boiling water 7 minutes. Add green beans; cook 4 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain.
Combine pasta mixture, chicken, onion, basil, parsley, and bell pepper in a large bowl, tossing gently to combine.

Combine oil and remaining ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk. Drizzle over pasta mixture; toss gently to coat.

Answer 9

Seven Layer Salad

In bowl or square dish, layer the following:

Shredded lettuce
6 hard boiled eggs (sliced)
1 (16 oz.) bag of frozen peas (do not thaw)
1 lb. bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1 bunch of scallions (cut up )
2 cups of mayonnaise & 1/2 cup sugar (blend & pour over top)
2 cups of shredded sharp cheese (grated)
another one with onions and a picture

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Seven-Layer-Salad/Detail.aspx

this one is delicious!!!!

Answer 10

There are so many things you can through in salads! from spinach to mint leaves macro herbs are really good they look like grass but taste great! Also if you want to experiment try flowers (always check which ones you can eat first) like daffodils and lillys and roses!