Every dinner party is incomplete without a gorgeous, refreshing salad. Salads are a crucial part of every party menu whether you serve them as an introductory course or a side dish. However, most people generally make salads with little consideration. As an ex-Chief Content Officer and owner of a food blog, I recommend you to put together an elegant salad that’s appealing to the eye as well as your palate. Here are four salad recipes perfect for parties:
1. Raisin and Carrot salad
Slightly sweet and slightly spicy, this salad creates the perfect balance.
Time required: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- Black pepper
- Kosher salt
- 2 tsp ginger, grated
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Zest and juice of a lime
- 3 tsp honey
- 2 tbsp harissa
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
- ¾ cup peanuts
- ¾ cup golden raisins
- 3 cups carrots, washed, peeled and grated
Method:
- In a bowl, toss in green onions, cilantro, peanuts, raisins and carrots.
- In another bowl, whisk together cumin, ginger, garlic, zest and juice of the lime, honey, harissa, oil, pepper and salt.
- Pour this dressing over the carrots and toss until evenly coated. Serve immediately.
2. Antipasto Salad
This recipe is by far my favourite salad recipe of all times.
Time required: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pepperoncini, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup olives, sliced
- 1 cup artichoke hearts, quartered
- 8 oz mozzarella balls, halved
- ½ lb salami
- 2 romaine hearts, chopped
To prepare the red wine vinaigrette:
- Black pepper
- Kosher salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp oregano
- 1 tsp dijon mustard
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Method:
- In a large bowl, add pepperoncini, tomatoes, artichokes, mozzarella, salami and lettuce.
- In a jar, add pepper, salt, red pepper flakes, oregano, mustard, vinegar and olive oil. Close the lid of the jar and shake vigorously.
- Dress the salad with the freshly prepared vinegar before serving.
3. Corn Salad
This makes for a perfect radish for BBQs, potlucks and picnics as well. Plus, it involves no cooking!
Time required: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- Black pepper
- Kosher salt
- Juice of a lime
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup basil, finely sliced
- ¼ red onion, finely chopped
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cup fresh corn
Method:
Combine all the ingredients together in a bowl. Toss until well combined. Serve immediately.
4. Cauliflower Salad
With lots of cheese and bacon, this salad will be the showstopper at your dinner table. This recipe is so easy that the hardest task is cutting the cauliflower, no kidding!
This salad is also very versatile. If you’re someone who likes their salad to be a little spicy, simply toss in a few sliced jalapenos. If you wish to make a vegetarian version of this salad, swap the bacon for ground species.
Time required: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup chives, finely chopped
- 1 ½ cup cheddar, shredded
- Black pepper
- Kosher salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 3 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 6 slices bacon
- 1 large cauliflower, cut into florets
Method:
- Boil water in a large skillet. Add the cauliflower florets before covering it. Allow to steam for 4 minutes before draining the water. Let it cool as you prep the other ingredients.
- Heat another pan over medium heat to cook bacon for 3 minutes per side or until crispy. Transfer to a paper towel to drain before chopping.
- In a bowl, add garlic powder, lemon juice, mayonnaise and sour cream. Whisk until smooth. Next, add cauliflower and give a gentle toss. Season with pepper and salt before folding in the bacon, chives and cheddar. Serve immediately or at room temperature.
Nutritional values (per serving):
- Sodium 570 mg
- Saturated fat 15 g
- Fat 35 g
- Sugar 5 g
- Fiber 4 g
- Carbohydrates 13 g
- Protein 19 g
- Calories 440
Wrap Up
There you have it — four simple and nutritious salad recipes perfect for parties.
Let us know which was your favourite in the comments section below!