Easy Falafel Salad with Savory Pita Croutons

If you're a lover of falafel sandwiches, wraps or platters like I am, this is a fun take on the traditional way of serving {and eating} those delectable little chickpea fritters. And, with a couple of store-bought shortcuts, this salad is on the table in about fifteen minutes. It's fresh, healthful and light, yet is hearty enough to serve as a casual meal for two.

I'm always looking for fresh and unique salad ideas. I pretty much could live on salads all throughout the summer months. If you have followed me for any amount of time, you know that I have gravitated towards more-frequent and deliberate meal prep with the focus on what I like to call "Intentional Eating." Instead of aimlessly grazing about my fridge and cupboards during the day {nibbling my way from a string cheese to a handful of granola to a spoonful of nut butter}, I have been trying to keep fresh, healthful ingredients on hand that either incorporate quickly into interesting, cravable salads or grain bowls for myself OR they inspire me to take a little time to meal prep a few days worth of quick-to-grab lunches.

Having frozen or fresh store-bought falafel on hand is especially lovely for me. I adore falafel. I do enjoy making from-scratch falafel, but don't always have the time {nor do I always want to take the time} to do so. I like to get bags of frozen falafel from Trader Joe's to keep on hand. But, I have, also, been noticing both refrigerated and frozen varieties more frequently in regular grocery stores, too.

NOTE: When I have made homemade falafel, I always follow Alton Brown's recipe. It never disappoints.

And while I do often make hummus from scratch, there are many really good brands and flavors of store-bought hummus these days. {I prefer the garlic or roasted red pepper versions of hummus for this salad.} I utilize hummus here as the base for the dressing. With just a bit of water to thin the hummus, you've got a quick, flavorful salad dressing that really ties everything together. With both falafel and hummus already in the fridge, whipping up this delicious salad is a total breeze.

Yields 2 servings.

BLT Naan Flatbread Pizza

If you're a lover of BLT Sandwiches, this is a recipe that you're going to want to try. The ingredient list is a short one and making these little pizzas is a breeze. Bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese, green onion and mayonnaise meet up atop pillow-y, soft naan flatbread. I utilize naan bread to make a variety of pizzas. {My favorite is my Cheesy BBQ Flatbread with Grilled Vegetables.} Using naan as a starting point for a quick, easy dinner is a no-brainer. It can easily be found in the bakery section of most grocery stores these days {I like these} or you can search online for recipes to make your own at home {something I plan to try very soon}.

Our eighteen-year old daughter works at a pizza restaurant that serves an amazing BLT Pizza. I based the development of this recipe upon their concept. But, since we love naan for pizza, I decided to swap it in to take the place of traditional dough. Worked like a charm.

The pizza is assembled by melting a little shredded cheese on top of the naan, then piling on cooked bacon and the vegetables. Drizzle on some mayo before service for the perfect dinner, lunch or snack.

Yields 2 servings.

Festive Farro Rainbow Taco Salad

If you're anything like me, taco salads are a favorite. The blending of simple ingredients into one salad that's loaded with spice, texture and freshness always seems to be a hit. In our house, we prefer our taco salads without meat. {This particular one could easily be adapted to include some grilled chicken or shrimp, however, if you desire.} I find that the farro is pretty hearty and actually mimics the texture somewhat of ground beef. I season it up simply in this recipe by blending it with fresh salsa, so it has a lot of flavor and a little kick. Building this salad using blue tortilla chips, tomatoes, corn, iceberg lettuce, sweet peppers and cheddar cheese drives home the rainbow theme and yields quite the pretty presentation.

Farro is a grain that is pretty easily found in most supermarkets these days. You could replace it with brown rice or quinoa if you'd like here, but I think you'll agree that the use of cooked farro is a great choice in taco salads.

This taco salad is hearty and filling enough to be a meal all on its own. And, it makes for a quick and easy-to-prepare weeknight dinner that is especially satisfying in the summer.

Serves 4.

Cheesy BBQ Flatbread with Grilled Vegetables

I seriously cannot express to you nearly enough just how awesome this recipe is. I know this flatbread may not look super knock-your-socks-off impressive. And, I can attest that this certainly isn't a complicated or sophisticated dish. But, it's just one of those things that once you start making your way through this at the dinner {or lunch or snack or anytime} table, you'll come to understand just what I am talking about. If you're a lover of barbeque sauce, cheese, and/or grilled veggies, this is right up your alley. I know it is mine. {So much so that I've made this three times in the past week.}

Using store-bought naan bread {found in the bread or bakery section in most supermarkets these days} makes this a super simple recipe to whip up. {Soft pita bread could, also, be used.} A bounty of freshness from the sweet corn, onions, peppers and fresh thyme makes this flatbread a real winner. Some zip and sweetness comes from the inclusion of bbq sauce. And, a little cheddar cheese makes the whole thing truly sing.

Regarding the bread, you want something that isn't too thin and is rather soft. This dish turns out best when the flatbread just kinda warms through during a few, quick minutes in the oven. It should still remain tender and soft for service. Nothing super thin, crispy or crunchy.

One last thing I'd like to mention ... we experimented with a few different kinds of barbeque sauce for this. We have our favorites for certain types of grilled meats and the like. For this? It has to be Kraft Original. I mean, go with what you like. But, we found old-school Kraft to be our choice.

NOTE: Grilled or breaded chicken {already cooked} that has been cut into small dice can be added for those desiring more than just vegetables on their flatbread. {I did use some chicken during one of the times that I recipe tested this flatbread - as shown in the photo below.}

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Yields 4 flatbreads / Serves 4.

Potluck-Style Crunchy Asian Ramen Salad

This recipe is a throw-back to the hip-happenin' days when this salad was a staple at so many church potlucks, family gatherings, summer picnics and reunions. Perhaps it is still a mainstay in some circles at get-togethers today, but it's been quite awhile since I've seen it around. It happened to cross my mind the other day when I was cutting up cabbage for our St. Patrick's Day dinner. I had not eaten this salad in years, so I was excited to make it for my family to see if they'd love it as much as I remember loving it.

The salad is a marriage of thinly-sliced cabbage, lots of crunchy vegetables, sliced almonds, a little fruit for sweetness and crushed, toasted ramen noodles. The whole shebang gets dressed with a simple Asian-style dressing that probably uses ingredients most of us tend to keep on hand.

Many recipes call for inclusion in the dressing of the actual chicken-flavored seasoning packet from the ramen noodle package. I have had the dressing both with it and without. Both are good. I opted to make the dressing without it for nutritional reasons. {If you would like to include it as it does add a little something "extra" that isn't present when omitting it, I recommend lessening the soy sauce called for in the dressing to only 1 tablespoon and using only ONE packet of the chicken flavoring.}

TIME SAVING TIP:  If desired, packaged coleslaw mix can be subbed in for the hand-prepped shredded cabbage and carrots.

SERVES 6 - 8.

Cold Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce

I've gotten into the habit in recent months of spending my Mondays prepping lunches for myself for the week. With the kids gone to school and the hubby at work all during the week, it's just me at home throughout the day. One of my New Year's resolutions was to eat more purposely and with greater intention. {I'm trying for lunch for myself not to be just a string cheese and a protein bar.} Some weeks I roast off a bunch of veggies and cook up some grains so that I can throw together a quick grain bowl on an given day. I often make up pasta salads, too, for myself. And, I keep quick, homemade vinaigrettes on hand and lots of prepped, fresh vegetables.

Over the past week, I worked on developing and testing this Cold Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce recipe. It's loaded with tons of fresh vegetables and is served tossed with a killer peanut butter dressing.

It is a super versatile salad ... whatever crisp veggies that you like or have on hand work here. In addition to what I've listed, some suggestions would be sugar snap peas, sliced cabbage, edamame or even some chopped apples. And, if you like things spicy, toss in some sliced chili peppers in place of the sweet ones I've used.

The peanut butter sauce is simple to whip up and really makes this salad the winner that it truly is. Its base is a blend of sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, lime juice and peanut butter.

Preparing this whole thing will require boiling off your noodles, whisking up the dressing and a little effort chopping up your veggies - maybe twenty minutes or so total. Then, you can tuck the leftovers away in the fridge and enjoy a healthful, hearty, fresh lunch for the next couple of days without any work at all.

Yields 4 servings.

Simple Strawberry Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Winter weather is still lingering around for many of us, but I am a year-round salad eater. My salad love knows no boundaries. Even when the temps outside are a little on the low side, I still enjoy salads all throughout the week for lunch. This particular salad is a pretty simplistic one ... utilizing just a handful of fresh ingredients. And, the dressing is pretty basic, too, in terms of ingredients and prep. But, it sure does pack a punch and deliver on many levels. It's a tad bit tangy, a little sweet and has just the right amount of creaminess {while still feeling light}.

This would be a great salad to serve alongside Valentine's Day dinner if you're planning to cook for {or with} your sweetheart. The strawberries bring a pop of red to the party, so it would tie in nicely with the evening's color theme. {And, strawberries - in my opinion - are always sexy.}

Yields 2 servings.

Sweet Potato, Kale and Wheat Berry Citrus Buddha Bowls

My readers know that I'm a sucker for loaded salads, arranged salads and salad bowls. I particularly love the inclusion of whole grains, beans or the like in them. Have you heard of Buddha Bowls? A Buddha Bowl is, basically, a form of a loaded salad. It, typically, includes some type of cooked grain (or legume), lots of chopped vegetables, some greens of some sort, sometimes fruit and nuts/seeds. It's usually topped with a sauce or dressing. Basically, I've come to find that I can pretty much throw whatever wholesome foods and/or healthful leftovers that I have on hand together to create something magical. And, these types of all-in-one meals are perfect for those of us trying to be mindful of making healthy food decisions.

So many make majestic and often extreme resolutions at the start of each new year. For me, I have committed to simply eating more "intentionally" in 2017. It's not about dieting, restricting carbs, omitting sugar or cutting calories. Rather, I'm taking a more conscientious, vigilant approach to what I feed myself. I am pledging to eat more wholesome, "real" foods. And, I'm making more of an effort to include way, way more vegetables into every meal.

Working from home and living a busy life with kids means that a string cheese and a protein bar is often my lunch. While not entirely bad, it just doesn't provide me the nutrition that I know that I need on a daily basis. So, I've set out to be more thoughtful with what I consume ... taking time to meal prep for myself more and spending a little time making myself healthy meals - especially lunches since that meal is the one I find that I skip or skimp on the most.

Buddha Bowls are amazing for me. I just love how versatile they can be. And, I love how creative I can be when making them. This recipe is a good starting point if you're new to the BB game. I'd love to hear if you've tried making your own at home ... and what your favorite combination of ingredients/components is.

Yields 2 servings/bowls.

Rice Noodle Salad Bowls

The turkey roaster pans, electric carving knives and gravy boats are making their return to the back of our cupboards. Visions of sugar cookies and Christmas ham are stirring in our heads. Stop offs for peppermint mocha coffees and caramel brulée lattes are almost inevitable as we bolt from store to store seeking out the perfect gifts for our loved ones. And, homemade baked goods from neighbors are sure to grace our counters during the coming weeks.

 

 

Frankly, most of us could stand to eat a few more salads this time of year. Indulgence is pretty much a given during the handful of weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Having a few go-to salad recipes in our back pocket is never a bad idea - especially when we want/need to take a break from heavy, carb-laden dishes and treats that are the "norm" for most of us during this festive season of the year.

 

These Rice Noodle Salad Bowls are light, refreshing and chocked full of so many crisp, vibrant ingredients. I make a quick dressing with some basic pantry staples, fresh garlic and scallions. The salad holds up well for a couple of days in the fridge, so it's something nice to make up and have on hand for lunch during busy days, too.

Sonoma Chicken Salad {A Whole Foods Copycat Recipe}

I recently fell in love with the Sonoma Chicken Salad from the deli at Whole Foods. I brought a container of it home - along with a round loaf of their sourdough bread - and was so sad when I finished up my last sandwich. I have been craving it ever since - big time.

My nearest Whole Foods is well over an hour away, so I don't get there as often as I'd like. In an attempt to satisfy my yearning for their chicken salad, I went in search online for a copycat recipe. I figured I might find one or two on a food blog out there. Instead, the top search result was the exact recipe itself provided directly on the Whole Foods' website.

Could it be ? Could this really be the real thing ?

Off to the kitchen I went to try out the recipe. Holy moly, friends, this is it. It's the real deal.

Not only will I get to enjoy this chicken salad more often, but it will save me a bundle. {I believe I paid around $12.00 a pound for it at Whole Foods.}

Don't leave out the poppy seeds, by the way. They are crucial {imo}. I love that little bit of crunch and pop.

I, too, like the {extremely simple and uncomplicated} way the chicken is cooked in this version ... the result is perfectly moist and super tender meat.

I urge you to give this one a whirl. It will be a great addition to your summer recipe repertoire. It's divine on a couple of slices of good-quality bread, but would be just as good on top of a bed of salad greens or in lettuce cups.

Refreshing Citrus Quinoa Salad

As the temps begin to rise for much of the country, summery salads will be making appearances on many of our menus. This Refreshing Citrus Quinoa Salad may just become a new favorite.

This is a great salad to serve at your summer grilling parties and potlucks. I enjoy it, too, to have on hand for a few days in the fridge for myself for lunch. (If not serving it all at once within 24 hours, I would recommend keeping the vinaigrette separate. Each time you dish out a little of the quinoa salad, drizzle on or combine in some vinaigrette shortly before eating.)

The options for add-ins in this salad are limited only by your imagination. Other veggies, nuts, seeds, a handful of fresh spinach or even avocado could be added in. I adore the Lemon Poppy Seed Vinaigrette (recipe recently posted) used to dress this salad. It can be used on so many things - regular salads, roasted veggies and even grilled chicken.

Yields 4 - 6 servings.

Veggie Confetti Wraps

Oh, my lawdy ... I am so craving warm weather. While I cherish steamy comfort food dishes during these chilly winter months, I've been making a few of my more-summery recipes (hello, Veggie Overload Pasta Salad ) this past week in an effort to fool my brain into thinking sunshine and greenery have arrived. We've had one heck of a winter here in Michigan. And, may I just say that I am so, so over it! I am incredibly ready for salads, cookouts, flip flops and lounging by the pool.

Of course, hit me up say, mid-August and I'm sure I'll be complaining about the humidity and mosquitos.

These Veggie Confetti Wraps were something I developed recently in homage to that traditional crescent roll-style vegetable pizza that so many of us know and love during the summer months. This, however, is made with one of my favorite ingredients - Joseph's Flax, Oat Bran & Whole Wheat Lavash. You could use any type of soft tortillas or wraps if you cannot find Lavash. I find it easily at Wal-Mart and other major supermarkets - usually in the deli/bakery section or sometimes in the bread section for around two dollars for a four-pack.

Cut into pinwheels, these would be so fun for a party. These would be great to take to the beach in the summer or to enjoy pool-side. Or, you can cut the wraps simply in half if you're just utilizing them for lunch.

Greek Yogurt & Honey Dijon Chicken Salad

I am a huge chicken salad lover. This is a fabulous recipe that puts a little spin on the traditional version. I've been replacing some or all of the sour cream and mayo in recipes lately with low-fat Greek yogurt.  You'll get the same zip and zing, but you'll save tons of calories and fat. 

 

A little Dijon mustard and honey make an appearance in the "dressing" for this chicken salad, as well.  I dig the perfect balance of tang, slight sweetness and creaminess wrapped up into this dressing.

Depending on your mood and/or what you have on hand, this can be served wrap-style with tortillas, in pita bread, on any bread you prefer or on top of a bed of lettuce (or spinach).  I even like to scoop the chicken salad up with seeded sweet peppers or enjoy it on crackers.

Yields 2 - 4 servings.

Caesar Salad with Homemade Dressing and Shaved Parmesan

We're almost halfway through the month of December.  While everyone has been making cozy casseroles and big, comforting pots of soup, I've actually been craving my favorite salad!

Seriously.  A beautiful Caesar salad has been on my mind for a good week now.  After picking up some romaine lettuce, I couldn't wait to get this recipe made. 

I've been making this dressing for years.  And, as divine as it is as a dressing drizzled atop a salad, it is equally as wonderful made a tad bit thicker and used as a dip for raw veggies.  (Wedges of purple cabbage, celery sticks and fresh radishes plunged into this as a dip ... pure magic!)

I thoroughly enjoyed this sitting by the crackling fire and the Christmas tree this afternoon while the hubby and kids were gone.  It was kind of heavenly. (As was Adam Levine on Tuesday night's episode of The Voice, which I watched today while nibbling on this salad.)