Hello, spring! The days are getting longer, flowers are blooming and the weather is warming up. Spring also means there are more fresh fruits and veggies available to try. One of the best ways to enjoy fresh produce is to make a salad.
Salads are so versatile. They can be served warm or cold. The ingredients are flexible—you can use whatever you have on hand. Add protein options like lean meat, low-fat cheese, legumes (like chickpeas or kidney beans) or eggs to bulk up the salad and make it a main course. Or simply enjoy a salad as a side dish. The options are endless! To add a refreshing twist to your spring menu, here are five delightful salad recipes to try.
Five Fresh Salad Recipes
1. Bok Choy Salad Make it with chopped bok choy and napa cabbage topped with green onions, cilantro and a lemon-based dressing. This crunchy salad is a great option to pair with a main dish like Sesame Noodles with Broccoli and Chicken or Microwave Steamed Fish.
2. Green Salad with Peas This fresh green salad is topped with low-fat dressing and feta cheese. To make it a meal, add hard-boiled eggs or shredded chicken. Or serve it alongside a main entrée like Oven Baked Salmon or Easy Manicotti.
3. Spring Green Salad This salad pops with color from strawberries and orange slices. It’s topped with a tangy vinaigrette and crunchy walnuts. Guess what else? The recipe is kid approved, making it a great option to serve to a younger crowd!
4. Radish and Cucumber Salad You’ll love the crisp combo of radishes and cucumbers in this salad option. It’s topped with a creamy yogurt-and-garlic dressing. If you want to learn about gardening radishes, make sure to read this month’s blog post on radishes.
5. Turkey Salad In this hearty salad, turkey, crunchy walnuts, raisins and crisp veggies are all coated in a creamy dressing with a hint of tangy vinegar. It’s perfect for a light, refreshing lunch.
Don’t Forget About Food Safety
Follow these food safety guidelines when making salads:
• Store leftovers in the refrigerator within 2 hours.
• Use your leftover salad within 3 to 4 days.
To read more about food safety, check out this Food Hero Monthly or this issue of Food Hero for Older Adults.
Springtime is the perfect time to enhance your meals with fresh and vibrant salads. Whether you crave crunchy greens, juicy fruits or savory proteins, these five salad recipes celebrate the flavors of the season. Make them your go-to dishes for family meals and outdoor gatherings! If you try a recipe, we’d love for you to leave a comment on the recipe page online or post a photo and tag us on social media @BeAFoodHero.
