Category: Salads


Mar
2021

Smashed Chickpea Avocado Salad

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads, Vegan

A terrific plant-based lunch option.  Cool, creamy, delicious, and ultra-healthy!

Smashed Chickpea Avocado Salad – A mayonnaise-free plant-based lunch option. Cool, creamy, delicious and ultra-healthy! Also makes a great appetizer. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #salad #chickpeas #chickpeasalad #avocado #avocadosalad #healthylunch

PLANT-BASED LUNCH OPTION

Chicken salad, tuna salad, and egg salad are popular lunch choices but if you’re looking for plant-based options these perennial favorites are off-limits. Indeed, it can be challenging to come up with a satisfying mid-day meal that doesn’t contain meat, seafood, eggs, or cheese. That’s why this Smashed Chickpea Avocado Salad is such a winning dish. It’s completely plant-based, easy to prepare, and is packed with fiber, healthy fat, and a decent amount of protein to satiate your hunger, and leave you happy and content until your next meal because let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than eating lunch and being “hangry” two hours later. (more…)


Feb
2021

Brussels Sprouts Coleslaw

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads, Side Dishes

A fantastic alternative to traditional coleslaw in a healthy, lightened up dressing made with Greek yogurt and avocado mayonnaise.

 

Brussels Sprouts Coleslaw – A fantastic alternative to traditional coleslaw in a healthier, lighten up dressing made with Greek yogurt and avocado mayonnaise. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #coleslaw #brusselssprouts #salad #salads

BRUSSELS SPROUTS INSTEAD OF CABBAGE

This recipe puts a unique spin on classic coleslaw by using shaved Brussels sprouts instead of cabbage, and, rather than an all-mayonnaise dressing, calls for equal parts avocado mayonnaise and Greek yogurt resulting in a lighter, tangier coleslaw. Lemon juice, fresh dill, and white balsamic vinegar add to its fresh, bright flavor with just a hint of sweetness imparted by a little bit of maple syrup. Take Brussels Sprouts Coleslaw to your next picnic, tailgate, or backyard barbeque and watch it disappear because this is definitely not your average coleslaw! (more…)


Apr
2019

Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Cranberries, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese

categories: Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads

Healthy, colorful, and delicious – this salad has it all!  JUMP TO RECIPE

Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Cranberries, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese – Healthy, colorful, and delicious, this salad has it all! #salad #kale #kalesalad #sweetpotatoes #sweetpotatosalad #salads

Sweet potatoes are the star in this healthy, colorful, delicious salad, which is why I named it Sweet Potato Kale Salad instead of Kale Sweet Potato Salad. If you’re not accustomed to eating sweet potatoes cold or at room temperature, you’re missing out because they’re fantastic in salads and add a gorgeous pop of color, particularly when set against salad greens. They’re super nutritious too, rich in beta-carotene, potassium, manganese, and lots of other vitamins and minerals. To read more about the health benefits of sweet potatoes check out this short article. I promise you though, none of this will matter much after you try Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Cranberries, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese, because all you’ll be thinking about is how delicious it tastes! (more…)


Oct
2018

Fig Balsamic Farro with Spinach, Cranberries, and Almonds

categories: Appetizers, Healthy, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan

A nutritious, delicious, Italian inspired dish the whole family will love.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Fig Balsamic Farro with Spinach, Cranberries, and Almonds is a delicious, nutritious, Italian inspired dish that can be served as an appetizer, side, or entrée. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #farro #emmer #ancientgrain #ancientgrains #ancientwheat #wholegrains #sides #grains #easyrecipe #easyrecipes

If you’re looking to incorporate more whole grains into your diet, here’s a great recipe to add to your rotation. Fig Balsamic Farro with Spinach, Cranberries, and Almonds is a flavor packed, Italian inspired dish the whole family will love. Whenever I make this I always double the recipe because we gobble it up so quickly. It’s great for lunch and as a side dish with dinner. The sweet, tart, fig balsamic flavor, along with cranberries and almonds, is an awesome complement to chicken and pork, but really, this dish goes well with just about anything. And, if you like tapas style dining, you can even serve it as a small plate appetizer, as pictured below. (more…)


Sep
2018

Artichoke and Roasted Red Pepper Salad

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian

A no-cook, easy antipasto salad you can make in under 10 minutes. Great for picnics, tailgates, and casual entertaining.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Artichoke and Roasted Red Pepper Salad - A no-cook, quick and easy antipasto salad you can make in under 10 minutes. Great for picnics, tailgates, and casual entertaining. | QueenofMyKitchen.com |#salad #antipasto #artichokes #nocook #easyrecipe #roastedredpeppers #antipastosalad #quickrecipe #picnicfood #artichokesalad #vegan #glutenfree #dairyfree

If you enjoy shopping at upscale food markets that sell a wide variety of prepared foods then you’ll appreciate Artichoke and Roasted Red Pepper Salad because this is exactly the type of dish you’re likely to find at one these stores. In fact, I came up with this recipe after purchasing a small deli container of a similar type salad at my local specialty food store, for which I paid an insane amount of money. Since it contained only a few simple ingredients I decided to make my own version and I’m so glad I did. This salad is perfect for picnics, tailgates, and casual entertaining. It’s quick to throw together and can easily be scaled up to feed large crowds. (more…)


May
2018

Broccoli Salsa

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan

A clean eating, no-cook salsa made from broccoli rice that’s fresh, light, and delicious.  Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Broccoli Salsa - A clean eating, no-cook salsa made from broccoli rice that’s fresh, light, and delicious. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #vegan #glutenfree #dairyfree #salsa #freshsalsa #broccoli #broccolirice #appetizer #appetizers #salad #salads #healthyrecipe #healthyrecipes

Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer season but it also signals a shift in cooking habits for many people and serves as a cue to step away from the oven and stove top in favor of outdoor grilling, and to pick recipes with minimal prep time that use light, fresh, ingredients. This clean eating, no-cook, Broccoli Salsa fits the bill and is super versatile. You can serve it as an appetizer with tortilla chips or crostini, make it a stand-alone salad with a protein mixed in (chicken or shrimp would be delicious), or pass it off as a simple side dish. Add this to your arsenal of summer recipes – it will not disappoint! (more…)


Dec
2017

Avocado Kefir Caesar Salad Dressing

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads

A quick and easy egg-free Caesar salad dressing and a simple recipe for crispy chickpea croutons.

Avocado Kefir Caesar Salad Dressing - A quick and easy egg-free Caesar salad dressing made with probiotic rich kefir and avocado oil. | QueenofMyKitchen.com #saladrecipes #salad #kefir #caesarsalad

Everyone should have a good Caesar salad recipe in their cooking repertoire, but many people are leery of consuming raw eggs, one of the main ingredients in traditional Caesar salad dressing. Even though the risk of salmonella poisoning from consuming raw eggs is really quite small, I too, am one of those people who just doesn’t like the idea of raw eggs in my salad dressings. I’ve always gotten around this by using a Caesar dressing recipe that calls for mayonnaise instead of raw eggs. The mayonnaise lends creaminess to the dressing and is a great substitute for eggs.  I avoid using store brought mayonnaise because it’s usually made with highly refined oil like soybean oil or canola oil, so when I make this dressing I almost always use homemade mayonnaise.  This can get a little time-consuming though, because you’re actually making two recipes – the mayo and then the dressing.  That’s why I was psyched when I discovered this quick and easy way to make a egg-free, mayonnaise-free, Caesar salad dressing – it can literally be whipped up in under 5 minutes.  Avocado Kefir Caesar Salad Dressing is light, and tangy with classic Caesar salad flavor and, it’s better for gut health than your average Caesar dressing thanks to probiotic rich kefir.

(more…)


Nov
2017

Black Rice Salmon Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette

categories: Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads, Seafood

A light, delicious, healthy salad made with the ancient grain known as forbidden rice. 

Black Rice Salmon Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette – A light, delicious, and healthy salad made with the ancient grain known as forbidden rice. | QueenofMyKitchen.com #rice #blackrice #forbiddenrice #seafoodsalad #salmon #salad #ancientgrains

If you’re like most people, on the weekends you indulge in foods you might otherwise steer clear of during the week. Going out to dinner, sipping a specialty cocktail, or attending a tail-gate, are all enjoyable weekend activities that none of us should miss out on, but they usually involve the consumption of extra calories. Hey – that’s what weekends are for – enjoy it!! Monday is right around the corner and that’s when most of us are happy to get back to our normal eating patterns. If I’ve had a particularly indulgent, food-filled weekend, I like to eat really healthy on Monday – something like this Black Rice Salmon Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette is perfect. It’s light, yet satisfying, and the main ingredient is black rice which has some amazing nutritional benefits. (more…)


Aug
2017

Oat Berry Spinach Salad

categories: Healthy, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian

A unique salad made from one of America’s most popular cereal grains.  Oats are not just for breakfast!

Oat Berry Spinach Salad - Oat groats, corn, and spinach in a unique salad made from one of America’s most popular cereal grains. Oats are not just for breakfast! | QueenofMyKitchen.com

Oat Berry Spinach Salad is a delicious, nutritious dish made with oat groats. If you don’t know what oat groats are, you’re not alone. Rolled oats are a staple in many kitchens and an important part of the typical American diet but very few people are familiar with oat “groats”.  If I had my way this would change, and if it did, I’m pretty sure oat groats would become the new quinoa! (more…)


Aug
2017

Carrot Chicken Salad Wraps

categories: Chicken, Salads, Sandwiches

Fun and festive finger sandwiches that make the perfect party appetizer.

Carrot Chicken Salad Wraps - A fun and festive finger sandwich that makes the perfect party appetizer. Easy to make and feeds a crowd. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

I recently purchased a package of sun-dried tomato sandwich wraps and as I was taking them out of the package one afternoon to make lunch their vibrant orange color reminded me, not of tomatoes, but of carrots. Shortly thereafter these Carrot Chicken Salad Wraps were born. I took my basic Clean Chicken Salad recipe, which I have been using for years, and added some classic carrot cake ingredients – finely grated carrots, raisins, and walnuts – to create these festive finger sandwiches. (more…)

%d bloggers like this: