Holiday food is turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and pasta – right? Instead of suffering from a meat and carb overload mere days into the holiday season, try shaking things up a bit on your family’s menu by adding in some colorful dinner salads. you don’t have to stick with lettuce, cheese, and store-bought dressings, either; here are 5 salad ideas that will make your family members excited for dinner.
Green Papaya Salad
The Thai green papaya salad might be one of the most flavorful and filling salads on this list. There are many different ways to make this salad, but ingredients can include pork, mint, basil, prawns, peanuts, garlic, child, fish sauce, Asian shallots, and, of course, papaya. If your kids don’t usually go for foods they haven’t already tried, ease them into this salad by mostly including food they’re most likely familiar with, like peanuts and pork, and only adding little amounts of the rest of the ingredients.
If you want to give the prawn and pork version of this salad a try, there’s a recipe here that can guide you.
Pasta Salad with Feta and Vegetables
Kids and adults alike can’t resist the taste of pasta salad, so why deprive them? If you like to treat your family to a favorite dish with a little twist, prepare this awesome Greek-inspired version of pasta salad. Once you cook the rotini pasta, have fun throwing in colourful fruit and veggies that will bring the salad to life. In this recipe, make sure to throw in the strong taste of feta cheese and olives to really bring some flavor to the dish.
For a simple recipe for this type of pasta salad, click here. Don’t be afraid to toss in other fruits and veggies you have lying around!
Nicoise Salad
The Nicoise Salad is a great way to make a healthy, delicious salad and incorporate several different food groups. Get ready to prepare some lettuce, green beans, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, capers, hard-boiled eggs, and more. If you want to add even more substance to this salad, many people think tuna compliments the flavors really well.
If that sounds like your speed, check out this recipe that features tuna.
Raspberry and Raisin Salad
It’s easy to get tired of the typical salads that involve lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and ranch dressing. Adding a few non-traditional ingredients can make a dramatic impact on taste, and taking that risk can often pay off! In this case, throwing celery, grapes, carrots, cranberries, raising, and walnuts into the mix will turn a pile of lettuce into a delightful dinner. If you have kids, they might not jump for joy when they hear raspberries and raisins, but the delicious mayonnaise and yogurt dressing will sell them on it once they take the first bite.
For a variation that doesn’t involve lettuce at all (and includes more yogurt), read this recipe.
Shrimp Caesar Salad
Caesar salad might be one of the most common salads out there, but it’s for good reason: it’s delicious! If you’re hesitant to toss out the idea of eating this classic salad for dinner, add in some flair with a little seafood. Working in shrimp and prawns will elevate the taste quality and leave your family members and friends wanting more! Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll need to turn the typical into the extra tasty.
If you want to go the extra mile and give it an additional homemade touch, make your own croutons! The Food Network recipe is a great place to start.
Conclusion
Don’t think of salads as being boring and simply the go-to vehicle for delivering fresh, healthy foods (even though it is, and we love it for that reason). Think of salads as a way to express your cooking creativity, and treat your loved ones to something delicious and original!
Sources:
http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/quick-recipes/dinner/7-super-dinner-salads/
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