
23 May SALADS & HONEST CONVERSATIONS
If you don’t like salad, I don’t get you. But I still love you enough to get in the kitchen and develop a few recipes that will make you happy. Happy with your salad that is.
Unsalady salads,perfect for packed lunches, even more perfect for small gatherings,great background music,hungry friends,honest conversations, where you get to bond over a big bowl of boiled potatoes drizzled with mint dressing.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm. Drain, cool, peel and chop roughly. Symmetry is not important at this point, we are going rustic.
Make the dressing: Shimmer the wine with a pinch of salt and pepper and reduce it to the point where it looks like a semi-thick glaze. Allow to cool, add the olive oil and vinegar and give it a good whisk. Add the dressing to the warm potatoes and toss to coat.
Garnish with sliced radishes,onions and chopped herbs of your choice. I used dried mint and lemon balm to enhance the acidity and bring all the flavours together.
Unplug the devices and pour a glass of wine. When I was a kid, my family and I used to play cards with beans instead of money..We had more beans to go around than money. So I’ve learned to utilize what was available and make the most of what we had. In that case beans. Frugal, but amazingly filling,wholesome without weighting you down.So good, you won’t even care about money.
If you have plenty of time start from scratch and boil the beans. If you can’t be bothered, we are not going to judge, get a couple of cans. I used black-eyed peas and kidney beans,I find that they go perfectly well together because that’s what I had in my pantry, yes this is how we roll. Use a large bowl to mix the beans, chopped roasted peppers,capers and chopped avocados.
Whisk the dressing: Vinegar, oil,dill,a pinch of sugar or (non-vegan) honey, mustard, garlic powder,salt and black pepper.Add some greens to your salad to make it nice and healthy. Share a glass of white wine with someone and talk about what was the best part of your (plural) day.
On sunday mornings my kitchen feels quiet and unrushed.Undisturbed I’m free to ponder over the though of cooking an elaborate 3 course meal for myself, and I always end up having a simple salad,along with a bottle of beer,soaking up the yellow sunlight that comes through my kitchen window at five.
Grab a few firm tomatoes, cut them in half, heat some good olive oil into a frying pan and dip your tomato halves into a bowl of sesame seeds. Saute them to seal in the flavours. I like mine charred,sprinkled with a heavy dose of coarse salt a big chunk of toasted bread on the side.
These tomatoes would be perfect as a side dish as well. No dressing needed here, just some good old olive oil to dip your bread and to enhance the richness of the juicy tomatoes. Black olives and parsley if you have them. I turn the radio on. I always listen to BBC radio and pretend I’m back in the U.K.
A bottle of Brewdog PUNK IPA helps as well. Bottoms up.
A lovely mix of textures and colours, bitter greens, sour purples,crispy yellows, nutty ivories. Whichever wild greens happen to be in season at the moment, mineral-rich romaine lettuce, frisée,mesclun,tangy apples,juicy blueberries,bell peppers and homemade croutons.Each bite brings out a different, fruity combination of ingredients.
This refreshingly versatile salad makes for an excellent summer lunch or super quick light dinner.Big chunky croutons are brushed with garlic oil and then baked in the oven until crunchy. Give it a good toss and if you are a purist like mychelf and happy with the understated juices that squeezed from your fruit, you are good to go. If you are after a more decadent version a tahini dressing would be indescribably delicious.
Happy with your salads? You’ll find all the recipe cards below,save, download, print or pin them as you wish and please make sure to share your recreations and ideas on my social media using the #chelfrecipes or simply by tagging me on Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, follow my food board on Pinterest and don’t forget to join the Chelfdom.
Potato Salad
perfect for small gatherings,great background music,hungry friends,honest conversations, where you get to bond over a big bowl of boiled potatoes drizzled with mint dressing
- 3-5 potatoes
- 7-9 radishes
- 1 onion
- 1/2 cup corn
- 1 glass white wine
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 3-4 tbsp dried herbs
- 1 pinch salt &pepper
-
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until tender but still firm. Drain, cool, peel and chop roughly. Symmetry is not important at this point, we are going rustic.
Make the dressing: Shimmer the wine with a pinch of salt and pepper and reduce it to the point where it looks like a semi-thick glaze. Allow to cool, add the olive oil and vinegar and give it a good whisk. Add the dressing to the warm potatoes and toss to coat.
Garnish with sliced radishes,onions and chopped herbs of your choice. I used dried mint and lemon balm to enhance the acidity and bring all the flavours together.
Frugal Bean Salad
Unplug the devices and pour a glass of wine. When I was a kid, my family and I used to play cards with beans instead of money..We had more beans to go around than money. So I’ve learned to utilize what was available and make the most of what we had. In that case beans. Frugal, but amazingly filling,wholesome without weighting you down.So good, you won’t even care about money.
- 2 cups mixed beans
- 2 chopped roasted peppers
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1/2 avocado
Dressing
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey/maple syrup or a pinch of sugar
- 1 tbsp mustard
- 1 tbsp chopped dill
- 1 pinch garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt & pepper
-
If you have plenty of time start from scratch and boil the beans. If you can’t be bothered, we are not going to judge, get a couple of cans. I used black eyed peas and kindey beans,I find that they go perfectly well together because that’s what I had in my pantry, yes this is how we roll. Use a large bowl to mix the beans, chopped roasted peppers,capers and chopped avocados.
Whisk the dressing: Vinegar, oil,dill,a pinch of sugar or (non-vegan) honey, mustard, garlic powder,salt and black pepper.Add some greens to your salad to make it nice and healthy.
Charred Tomato Salad
On sunday mornings my kitchen feels quiet and unrushed.Undisturbed I’m free to ponder over the though of cooking an elaborate 3 course meal formyself, and I always end up having a simple salad,along with a bottle of beer,soaking up the yellow sunlight that comes through my kitchen window at five.
- 2-3 tomatoes
- 1 slice bread
- 3-4 tbsp sesame seeds
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pinch salt
- Grab a few firm tomatos, cut them in half, heat some good olive oil into a frying pan and dip your tomato halves into a bowl of sesame seeds. Saute them to seal in the flavours. I like mine charred,sprinkled with a heavy dose of coarse salt a a big chunk of toasted bread on the side.These tomatoes would be perfect as a side dish as well. No dressing needed here, just some good old olive oil to dip your bread and to enhance the richness of the juicy tomatoes. Black olives and parsley if you have them.
Fruity Greens
A lovely mix of textures and colours, bitter greens, sour purples,crispy yellows, nutty ivories. Whichever wild greens happen to be in season at the moment, mineral-rich romaine lettuce, frisée,mesclun,tangy apples,juicy blueberries,bell peppers and homemade croutons.Each bite brings out a different, fruity combination of ingredients.
- 2-3 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup wild greens
- 1 apple
- 1/4 cup blueberries
- 1 bell pepper
Tahini dressing
- 1/4 cup tahini
- 2-3 tbsp water
- 1/2 juice
- 1 pinch sugar
- salt pepper
-
toss the greens in a large bowl. Blend all the dressing ingredients and pour over! Simple as that!
Darin
Posted at 12:16h, 23 MayThis all looks so good, healthy and easy to make. Too cool. Will try some of these this week, as it will be a busy week for us.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 12:31h, 23 MayI hope that these recipes will make your meal prep a bit easier this busy week Darin!Thank you for stopping by!
Shilpa Bindlish
Posted at 14:09h, 23 MayWow..can’t be happier to find so many salad recipes in one article ? please tell what can i use to replace the wine.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 14:33h, 23 MayHi there! How about some balsamic vinegar? Follow the same steps to reduce it to a semi-thick glaze. It’s acidic enough to spice up the potatoes. Any kind of vinegar would also work!
Tasheena
Posted at 14:35h, 23 MayYou’re such a wonderful cook! All of your food looks delicious. Can’t wait to try some of these recipes.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 12:51h, 24 MayAlways so kind Tasheena! Love ya!
Kristi McAllister
Posted at 23:18h, 23 MayAll of these look amazing but the bean salad would probably be my first thing to try! I love anything made with beans. I’m guess the maple syrup/sugar is to cut the bite of the dressing? Looks divine. I’m gonna try it!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 12:49h, 24 MayAh, beans are amazing aren’t they? the perfect staple! Yeap, the syrup works as a binding agent and helps with the acidity as well!
Jolina
Posted at 00:11h, 24 MayWe love our salads, it’s our default lazy day meal. These are fantastic options. Can’t wait to try that charred tomato salad first.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 12:47h, 24 MayI cannot wait for you to try them out Jolina!
Stephanie
Posted at 00:33h, 24 MayEach of these looks great, but I love potatoes, so would have to go with that potato salad! And I like a regular salad, but have never cared for fruit in a salad before. It just seems like such an odd mix of flavors to me.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 12:46h, 24 MayIf that’s not your cup of tea you could sub the fruit for a variety of seasonal veggies! A green salad is so versatile, isn’t it? Thank you for stopping by!
Dimitris
Posted at 04:30h, 24 MayAmazing recipes written by a gifted Author. You filled up my mind with beautiful pictures and tasty meals. I am not sure what I enjoyed more the recipes or your talent to depict themPlease never give up doing this !!!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 12:44h, 24 MayThank you for the kind words, file Dimitri!
C-Ludik
Posted at 07:25h, 24 MayThese salad recipes are the perfect go-to summer meal. They’re quick, nutritious, and best of all don’t require much time to prepare (who wants to slave over a hot stove when it’s boiling outside ?). And contrary to what you might think, salads can be substantial entrees even without any meat 🙂 Thanks for sharing those recipes. I really love this fruity combination of ingredients of the Fruity Greens recipe.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 12:42h, 24 MayI could not agree more! They are so easy to make and fuss-free, no excuses not to eat your veggies 😉
Holly
Posted at 14:58h, 24 MayThese look great. I love different types of salads. I will definitely have to try these out!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:16h, 24 MayHey Holly! I love experimenting with my salads as well I had so much fun developing these recipes! I hope you’ll love them as well!
Angela Tolsma
Posted at 17:12h, 24 MayThe potato salad sounds wonderful. I am a huge fan of not green salads especially in the winter!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:14h, 24 MayThen this post is perfect for you Angela! Skip the last recipe and we’re good 😉
Taylor
Posted at 18:03h, 24 MayAll of these dishes look so delicious and the presentation is beautiful! I would love to try some of these yummy recipes!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:13h, 24 MayI hope that you will Taylor!
fashionandstylepolice
Posted at 19:01h, 24 MayI love the sound of the potato salad. I would like to try the recipe. Sounds very delicious.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:12h, 24 MayIt’s so yummy even as a side dish, it’s definitely worth a try!
Ayana Aden
Posted at 20:02h, 24 MayThese look so good! I love salad but don’t know how to make them tasty. I will try these!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:10h, 24 MayI hope these recipes will help Ayana! Give it a go and let me know how it went. I’d be more than happy to help you modify any recipe according to your taste!
Nadalie
Posted at 21:18h, 24 MayThis must be fate that I’m reading this perfect post. I have a bunch of radishes in the fridge that I’ve had absolutely no idea what to do with. And voila, your perfectly selected potato salad is my solution. Can’t wait to make this tonight.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 23:03h, 25 MayHey gorgeous! Good to see you back on the Chelfdom! I’m so happy to provide the inspiration! I love radishes, crunchy and a bit spicy, yum!
Fatima Torres
Posted at 23:00h, 24 MayYum! I love throwing some fruit into my salads. It adds a little sweetness without the need to add dressing
Joy
Posted at 23:50h, 24 MayOh yum! I’m suddenly super hungry after reading your post lol. I’m definitely a lover of huge salads. The recipes you shared are just in time for summer. Thank you!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 23:02h, 25 MayLol, yeap I tend to do that to people 😉
Aine
Posted at 12:28h, 25 MayYum! This looks so good, anything with potatoes wins in my book and these are perfect
Blair villanueva
Posted at 20:19h, 25 MayI agree i find this salad delicious and healthy. I love it and nevermind eating it everday.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 22:59h, 25 MayGlad you liked them Blair!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 23:01h, 25 MayWho doesn’t love potatoes, right?
Rachel
Posted at 13:58h, 25 MayThese look so good. I want to try the roasted tomatoes.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 23:01h, 25 MayOh they are so good Rachel! In fact I think I’m gonna make some for lunch tomorrow
jessa
Posted at 15:14h, 25 MayI love salads! Your photos are fabulous!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 23:00h, 25 MayThank you!
Sandra
Posted at 12:40h, 26 MayThat potato salad looks amazing! I think people who hate salad need to search for salad on Pinterest. Lol.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 12:11h, 27 Mayvery true! Pinterest is the all time fave source of inspo!
David Elliott
Posted at 16:11h, 26 MayI definitely understand what you mean about the salads. I love them. But my daughter is not much into those leafy greens, which is kind of sad. These are some good healthy alternatives though. I love your potato salad with radishes. Looks and sounds amazing.
Lynn
Posted at 02:11h, 27 MayI agree with what someone said above, I love potatoes! I’ve never had a potato salad but this looks very good.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 12:10h, 27 MayNo time like the present then!
Lisa
Posted at 17:05h, 29 MayOh yum! These salads look so yummy and refreshing! Ill have to try some of these
Debra
Posted at 10:02h, 30 MaySome great ideas here. Thanks for sharing.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:51h, 31 MayGlad you liked it, thank you for stopping by!
Avion Anderson
Posted at 18:27h, 03 JuneExcellent article and I love your cooking for one,
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 09:57h, 04 JuneThank you Avion!