Best 2 Almost Famous Garden Salad Recipes

When it comes to side dishes, nothing beats a vibrant and refreshing garden salad. Bursting with an array of colorful vegetables, crisp lettuces, and tangy dressings, this classic dish is a symphony of flavors that complements any main course. In this culinary adventure, we'll embark on a journey to create the perfect garden salad, exploring various recipes that cater to different tastes and preferences. From the classic vinaigrette dressing to the creamy ranch dressing, and from the traditional chopped salad to the modern quinoa salad, each recipe promises a unique taste experience. Get ready to elevate your meals with a garden salad that's not just a side dish, but a celebration of fresh, wholesome ingredients. Let's dive in and discover the secrets to crafting an almost-famous garden salad.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

MIXED GARDEN SALAD FOR TWO

Mixed Garden Salad for Two image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories side-dish

Time 20m

Yield 2 main course servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

3 cups loosely packed mixed torn greens, such as romaine, red or green leaf lettuce, Bibb or Boston leaves, washed and dried
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded, halved, and thinly sliced
1/2 yellow bell pepper, seeded, halved, and thinly sliced
8 sugar snaps peas, blanched or steamed
8 asparagus, blanched or steamed, chopped
5 broccoli florets, blanched or steamed, quartered
4 cauliflower florets, blanched or steamed, quartered
3 radishes, trimmed and quartered
2 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
1 medium carrot, grated
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Salad dressing of your choice, such as blue cheese, miso-sesame, poppy seed, and thousand island
1 large beefsteak tomato, cut into 8 wedges

Steps:

In a large serving bowl, toss together the lettuce leaves, bell peppers, sugar snaps, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, radish, scallion, and carrot and season with salt and pepper to taste. Lightly dress with the salad dressing. Season the tomato wedges with salt and pepper and arrange around the inside edge of the bowl. Serve.

OLIVE GARDEN-STYLE HOUSE SALAD

Olive Garden-Style House Salad image

For many customers, Olive Garden's all-you-can-eat salad is even better than the bottomless basket of breadsticks. The dish has been on the menu since the first restaurant opened in 1982, and it has become so popular over the years that Olive Garden started selling the dressing in grocery stores in 2017. The secret to re-creating the texture at home: a few spoonfuls of Miracle Whip.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories appetizer

Time 15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons Miracle Whip
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
1 10-ounce bag American salad blend
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
4 small pepperoncini or other pickled peppers
1 small vine-ripened tomato, cut into wedges
2 tablespoons sliced black olives
1/2 cup large croutons
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese

Steps:

Make the dressing: Combine the olive oil, vinegar, Miracle Whip, lemon juice, parmesan, garlic salt, Italian seasoning and 1 to 2 tablespoons water in a blender or food processor. Puree until smooth.
Make the salad: Place the salad blend in a large bowl and top with the red onion, pepperoncini, tomato, olives, croutons and cheese. Drizzle with the dressing and gently toss.

Tips:

Choose the freshest ingredients possible. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your salad.
Use a variety of colors and textures. This will make your salad more visually appealing and interesting to eat.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different dressings. There are many different types of dressings available, so you can find one that suits your taste.
Use fresh herbs to add flavor to your salad. Herbs like basil, cilantro, and parsley can really brighten up a salad.
Don't overdress your salad. A little bit of dressing goes a long way.
Serve your salad immediately after dressing it. This will prevent the dressing from wilting the lettuce.

Conclusion:

The Almost Famous Garden Salad is a delicious and refreshing salad that is perfect for any occasion. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With its variety of colors, textures, and flavors, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you are looking for a healthy and delicious salad, give the Almost Famous Garden Salad a try. You won't be disappointed!