5 Amazing Salad Recipes

 Waldorf Salad

Crunchy with crisp apples, celery and toasted nuts, this easy Waldorf salad is a classic recipe perfect for a crowd any time of year.

Prep Time: 10minutes

Total Time: 10minutes

Servings: 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups diced tart apples , or 2 apples
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1 cup grapes , halved
• ½ cup toasted walnuts or pecans , roughly chopped
• ½ cup whipping cream , whipped
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add the diced apples to a large mixing bowl and sprinkle with the sugar and lemon juice. Toss to coat.
2. Add the celery, grapes, and nuts.
3. In another bowl, whip the whipping cream until peaks form, then gently fold in the mayonnaise.
4. Fold into the apple mixture and season with the kosher salt.
5. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
6. Chill for 1 hour or overnight. Serve by itself or on a lettuce leaf.

Notes

Instead of whipping cream, substitute 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or sour cream.

Nutritional Info:

Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 275mg | Potassium: 194mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 406IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

Autumn Crunch Pasta Salad

Yields: 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 5 ounces fresh spinach (half a 10 ounce bag)
• 1 and 1/2 cups dry small pasta
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 3/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges
• 1 large Granny Smith Apple
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/3 cup pecans
• Optional: Feta cheese

Dressing:

• 4 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 2-4 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon each: paprika, onion powder
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the dressing. In a food processor or blender, combine the oil (the vegetable oil yields a richer and in my opinion better taste, but the olive oil is healthier and still tastes great), apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, sugar, (adjust — more or less to personal preference, we like a less sweet dressing and use about 2 tablespoons) paprika, and onion powder.
3. Pulse or blend for about 10 seconds. Stir in the poppy seeds.
4. Drain the pasta once it’s cooked through and immediately toss a few tablespoons of the dressing with the pasta.
5. This helps the pasta soak in the dressing and the flavor.
6. Chill the dressed pasta in the fridge.
7. Meanwhile, combine the (washed and de-stemmed) spinach with the chopped celery in a large bowl.
8. Add in the cranberries and a can of drained mandarin oranges.
9. If desired peel the apple (We like to leave on the peel!) and then slice into thin slices. Toss with lemon juice and then add to the salad.
10. Pour dressing over the salad and toss. Add in the completely cooled pasta and toss with the rest of the salad.
11. If you want to toast the pecans, place them in a single layer in a dry saucepan (don’t add anything) over medium heat.
12. Stir constantly until the nuts are barely fragrant — just a couple of minutes.
13. Watch carefully as the nuts are VERY easily scorched/burned.
14. Alternatively, you can candy the pecans if desired.
15. Top the salad with the pecans and feta cheese.
16. Enjoy immediately

Ambrosia Salad

Ambrosia Salad is a creamy fruit salad loaded with pineapple, mandarin oranges, coconut and miniature fruit-flavored marshmallows.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 11-ounce can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 8-ounce can pineapple tidbits or crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional
• 1 1/2 cups mini fruit-flavored marshmallows

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, stir together the whipped topping and yogurt.
2. Using a rubber spatula, carefully fold remaining ingredients into whipped topping.
3. Chill before serving.

Notes:

If you are not a fan of mainstream frozen whipped topping, you can find all-natural alternatives at Whole Foods or try a homemade version.

Creamy Grape Salad

This grape salad is sweet and creamy with fresh, juicy grapes and crunchy pecans. It’s so easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

Prep Time: 10 mins

Chill Time: 2 hrs

Total Time: 2hrs 10 mins

 Servings: 8 

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb red grapes washed and stemmed (about 2.5 cups)
• 1 lb green grapes washed and stemmed (about 2.5 cups)
• 4 oz cream cheese softened (can use non-fat, if desired)
• 1 cup full fat Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 1 ½ Tablespoons granulated sugar monkfruit granulated sweetener or honey (I used the monkfruit)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 3 Tablespoon brown sugar or coconut sugar I used coconut sugar
• Pinch of cinnamon optional

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a mixing bowl, beat or stir the cream cheese, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), granulated sugar and vanilla extract until well combined.
2. Gently fold the grapes into the dressing until they are well coated.
3. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld.
4. Combine pecans, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle pecan mixture on top, just before serving.

Nutritional Info: 

Serving: 1/8 recipe | Calories: 178kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 57mg | Potassium: 293mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g

Fruit salad with guaraná is a Christmas treat

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 green apple
• 4 red apple
• 1 box of strawberries
• 1 box of cream
• 1 box of condensed milk
• 1/2 glass of guarana

Salad preparation:

1. The 3 fruits are cut into pieces.
2. Make a mixture of cream, condensed milk and guarana.
3. Add the fruits, mixing with the cream and refrigerate.