the round up: lettuce-free summer salads
skipping the lettuce, upping the crunch, & making storage easier
Maybe it’s a hot take, but I think the best part of a salad is the toppings. Like last week’s round up, there’s a method to the madness of creating a really good salad recipe, because there’s nothing I want to help you avoid more than a sad salad :(
All about the base: There’s so many options for salad bases that actually hold up much better than lettuce. My go-tos are: shredded cabbage, quinoa, corn, and beans (white, kidney, black, you name it). Using these alternatives as your base makes each of these salads perfect for meal prep. Many of them actually get better as they sit because the veggies absorb all the flavors and soften slightly. If you do want to add a leafy green, opt for kale, it’s heartier than other common salad greens, so it won’t shrivel up or get soggy after a day.
Once the base is decided, there’s no stopping the combination for add-ins. I love diced veggies that are crunchy, like bell peppers, green onion, cucumber, raw cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots. And of course protein—some bases work double time to provide protein, but you can always add in shredded chicken, cheese, or an extra can of beans!
This week’s round up features an exclusive sneak peek of my friend Casey Elsass’s brand new book What Can I Bring? that just came out! He shared his Black Bean Salad with Sazón Vinaigrette recipe with us—I’m so excited to prep it for lunches this week, the dressing sounds so goood. For those that love hosting and guesting, check it out and order his book!
The Round Up: lettuce-free summer salads
Black Bean Salad with Sazón Vinaigrette* — I can’t resist a black bean salad, this one is perfect for summer BBQs or enjoying poolside (or even at the beach!)
Sesame Miso Edamame Salad — The dressing puts in the work here.
Mediterranean Inspired Chickpea Chopped Salad — This one is such a classic, gets even better as it sits and consistently makes it on my top favorites list.
Green Veggie Lemony Orzo Salad — This one leans heavily into bright citrusy flavors while getting in as many veggies as possible, perfect for a MDW party!!
Crunchy Peanut Carrot Salad with Date Peanut Sauce — If you’re a texture person, this one’s for you! All the crunch and a salty/sweet balance.
Chopped Peach Caprese Salad — This one is just begging to be eaten on the beach or by the pool—the peaches are sweet and the vinegar is bitter.. a delicious combo.
Grilled Corn and Shrimp Summer Salad — My go-to dish for summer barbecues, beach days, and basically any other gathering, so refreshing!!
Cilantro Lime Corn Salad with Chicken — This zesty summer salad is the perfect balance of fiber and protein that you can create in just ten minutes!
Stock Up For Summer Sale, happening now!
You know them because you see them in my videos every week—Made In is having a huge sale NOW! I use my Made In pans daily and the quality is unmatched. After hundreds (if not thousands) of reps with my stainless steel and Ceramiclad pans these they still look good as new and I feel great knowing they’re safe for me to use (no toxic coatings!). Made In sets are perfect for a wedding registry, or a high quality gift for someone who loves to cook. Their Stock Up for Summer Sale runs now through May 26th: get up to 25% off select items on the site, including my two favorites and most used sets—the Stainless Clad Frying Pan Set and the CeramiClad Frying Pans!!
Sorry no live demo tonight, my sister had her baby and I’m going to meet him!!! Ah!!! 🩵
Catch up on last week’s round up ⤵️
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Congratulations, auntie! Wishing your sister (and bubba) a wonderful time getting to know each other