Best Big Salad Recipes

BIG GRILLED VEGGIE SALAD

Steps:

• Thread the mushrooms, zucchini, squash, orange bell pepper, green bell pepper and onions onto separate skewers.
• Mix the Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes and 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a small bowl. Brush the kebabs all over with the oil mix.
• Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. When it is hot, grill the kebabs, turning as needed, until grill marks form and the veggies have softened, 8 to 10 minutes total.
• Using a fork, push the hot vegetables off the skewers onto a serving platter. Drizzle over the lemon juice and remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil. Toss to combine. Sprinkle over the crumbled feta and lemon zest. Top with the oregano, mint and parsley. The salad can be served warm or chilled.

BIG STEAK SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing/marinade: Combine the oil, both vinegars, lime juice, soy, Worcestershire, chili oil, sugar, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper in a mason jar with the lid. Shake vigorously to combine; taste and adjust seasonings to taste.
• Place the steak in a plastic zipper bag. Pour in half the dressing/marinade and seal. Marinade for 5 to 10 minutes.
• For the onion strings: Slice the onions very thin. Place in a baking dish and cover with the buttermilk and soak. Combine the flour, salt, cayenne and black pepper and set aside.
• Heat the oil to 375 degrees in a large pot. Grab a handful of onions, throw into the flour mixture, tap to shake off excess and plunge into the hot oil. Fry for a few minutes and remove to a paper-towel-lined plate as soon as they are golden brown. Repeat until onions are gone.
• Grill (or saute) the steak over medium-high heat until medium-rare, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from the heat and allow to rest. Slice the steak against the grain in thin slices.
• For the salad: In a large bowl, add the lettuce mix, blue cheese and tomatoes. Add a little of the remaining dressing/marinade and toss to combine. Add more if needed.
• Heap the salad on a plate, making sure to get plenty of blue cheese and tomatoes on each plate. Add half a steak to the top of each plate, then top the steak with onion strings.
• Serve immediately. Yum!

MY BIG FAT GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Peel off a few strips of cucumber skin using a channel knife, creating a striped pattern. Cut cucumbers in half crosswise. Cut each half into quarters before cutting into 1/4- to 1/2-inch slices. Place into a colander; toss with some kosher salt and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut cherry tomatoes in half. Rinse cucumbers; drain thoroughly for 10 to 15 minutes more.
• While cucumbers are draining, slice onion thinly. Cut bell pepper into strips. Turn knife diagonally and cut strips into diamond-shaped pieces. Slice Kalamata and green olives.
• Combine cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, olives, and 2 tablespoons oregano in a bowl. Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Sprinkle in vinegar and toss thoroughly. Drizzle in olive oil. Add about 2/3 of the feta cheese and toss again. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Give the salad another mix. Taste and season as desired. Scatter remaining feta cheese on top and garnish with remaining oregano.

BIG ITALIAN SALAD WITH COLD CUTS

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Whisk together all of the ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Make the salad mix: Spin dry all the lettuces, celery, parsley, and onion in a salad spinner. Wrap in paper towels to dry thoroughly and refrigerate.
• Meanwhile, halve the cherry tomatoes and olives and transfer to a very large bowl. Shave the cheese with a vegetable peeler to yield 1 cup. Reserve some of the shaved cheese for garnish and add the remaining cheese to the bowl.
• Remove the vegetables from the paper towels and add to the bowl. Season with fleur de sel. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Scatter the salami and reserved cheese over the top and serve immediately. Alternatively, prepare the salad mix and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Toss each serving with some of the dressing, as needed.

BIG FESTIVE SALAD

Steps:

• For the candied nuts: In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, toast the pistachios and hazelnuts until fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar, salt, vanilla and 1 tablespoon water directly to the pan with the nuts and stir to coat them. Cook until the sugar has dissolved, about 1 additional minute. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow to cool, 12 to 15 minutes.
• For the dressing: Combine the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt and pepper in a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake to combine. Set aside.
• For the salad: Spread the arugula, kale and spinach over a large round platter, leaving space in the center of the platter (it should look like a holiday wreath). Top the greens with the radicchio. Arrange the mandarin segments over the greens. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds, cranberries, blueberries and cooled candied nuts.
• Lastly, sprinkle with the Parmesan, creating the look of snow. Shake the dressing one more time and pour it into a serving bowl. Place the bowl in the center of the platter and serve.

BIG JOHN'S KILLER CAESAR SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl.
• Whisk for 1 minute.
• Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours (over night is best).

BIG RAY'S MEDITERRANEAN SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Pour olive oil, 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vinegar, Parmesan cheese, mustard, oregano, basil, onion, garlic, salt, sugar, and black pepper into a large glass jar. Whisk or stir with a spoon until well combined.
• Refrigerate dressing for at least 2 hours. Shake very well before serving.

BIG BISTRO BURGERS WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS ON GRILLED BREAD WITH BEET AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill to high.
• Preheat a small skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of EVOO. Add the shallots, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until lightly brown. Add 2 tablespoons of the sherry vinegar and continue to cook for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and reserve.
• While the shallots are getting brown, in a large bowl, combine the beef, thyme, Worcestershire, grill seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Divide the meat into 4 portions. Form large patties about 1 1/4 inches thick. Coat the beef patties with a good drizzle of EVOO. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium rare, 7 to 8 minutes per side for medium well to well.
• Drizzle or brush EVOO onto both sides of the bread slices, season with salt and pepper, and add to the grill. Cook until well marked on both sides, remove from the grill, and wrap in foil to keep warm.
• In a bowl, combine the beets and greens and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sherry vinegar, the remaining 3 tablespoons of EVOO, and a little salt and pepper. Toss to coat; add the crumbled goat cheese and toss to distribute.
• To serve, divide the grilled bread among 4 serving plates. Top the bread with the beet and goat cheese salad, letting it overflow onto the plates. Transfer the burgers to top the salad and then pile each burger with some of the caramelized shallots. Attack your big bistro burger with a fork and knife, please. This is a bistro!
• Tidbit
• For the large slices of country-style bread, cut a rectangular loaf lengthwise or a round loaf from the center.

BIG DADDY POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Add the potatoes to a large pot of cold water. Bring it to a boil over medium heat and add salt, to taste. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and let cool.
• In a large serving bowl, whisk the mayonnaise and mustard with the shallots, jalapenos, parsley and salt and pepper. Add the potatoes and toss them with the mayonnaise mixture.

BIG DADDY'S KICK'N CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together until well incorporated and evenly distributed. Assemble the sandwiches by layering the chicken salad, lettuce, and tomato. Serve.

BIG MAC SALAD

Steps:

• Toast all eight pieces of bread until just lightly golden-brown. Let cool and cut into cubes; set aside.
• Brown and drain the extra lean ground beef. Let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled ground beef, toasted bread cubes,finely chopped onions, shredded lettuce and cheese; toss well. Place in a large salad/serving bowl.
• In a seperate small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, salt and pepper.
• Drizzle the dressing over the salad. You can either leave it drizzled or toss everything to evenly coat salad.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds.

BIG EYE TUNA CEVICHE WITH PEPPERCRESS AND ROASTED CALABAZA SALAD IN A TUNA CAVIAR VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Blend tuna caviar, olive oil, lemon and lime juice and pumpkin seed oil in a blender. Fold into that mixture the pumpkin seeds, garlic chives, tuna and salt and pepper. Reserve 4 tablespoons of dressing. Refrigerate until ready to assemble dish.
• For the Calabaza: Toss all the ingredients and bake in a preheated 400-degree oven until tender, about 5 to 8 minutes. Once cooked, chill.
• For the salad: Mix all ingredients together.
• Assembly: In a 3-inch round mold, first layer the Calabaza squash. Then layer the tuna. Remove the mold and top with peppercress salad. Drizzle the remaining 4 tablespoons of caviar dressing on the plate.

MY BIG FAT GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Put the lettuce in a large bowl. Add olives, feta, onions, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
• In small bowl, beat together olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
• Pour the dressing over the salad.
• Top with oregano, mint, and anchovies (if using).

BIG SALAD WITH GRAINS

Steps:

• Place greens in bottom of serving bowl. Add grains in an even layer over greens. Repeat with the roasted vegetables, then the raw vegetables.
• Top with dressing, and toss gently. Fan out avocado on top on one side of bowl.
• Place hard-boiled egg pieces on the side opposite the avocado. Top with chives and nuts. Serve with whole-grain bread.

BIG DADDY'S GRILLED BLUE CHEESE-AND-BACON POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat. Place potatoes in a single layer in center of a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Toss with olive oil; sprinkle with spices. Bring up foil sides over potatoes; double fold top and side edges to seal, making 1 large packet. 2. Grill potatoes, in foil packet, covered with grill lid, 15 minutes on each side. Remove packet from grill. 3. Whisk together mayonnaise and next 4 ingredients in a large bowl; add potatoes, tossing gently to coat. Stir in onion, blue cheese, and bacon.

BIG MAC DADDY RONI SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium saucepot, boil water and add salt. Add pasta, cook until al dente,about 8-9 minutes, and place into an ice water bath.
• In a medium mixing bowl add mayonnaise, garlic, mustard, and vinegar. Mix to combine and place in refrigerator to keep chilled while pasta cools. To cool quickly, spread pasta on a baking sheet and place in refrigerator for about 20 minutes, or till cool.
• When pasta is cool, mix in mayonnaise mixture and all vegetables. Mix thoroughly, season with salt and pepper. Place into refrigerator and chill for 1 hour for the flavors to combine. This is even better the next day!

BIG CHOPPED SALAD WITH CREAMY BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• In a large saute pan over medium-high heat, add the bacon and saute until browned on all sides, about 8 minutes total. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain. Set aside.
• Cut the romaine in half lengthwise. Lay flat side down and slice into1/4-inch thick ribbons. Transfer to a large salad bowl. Cut the cucumber into 1/2-inch cubes and add to bowl. Slice onion into thin half moons and add to the bowl with the lettuce and cucumber.
• In a blender, combine sour cream, Gorgonzola, bacon, lemon zest and juice and blitz until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour enough dressing over the salad to generously coat the ingredients. Add the eggs and toss gently.

BIG HAM SALAD

Steps:

• Cook peas in boiling water for 1 min. Drain and rinse under cold water. Toss with ham, leaves, spring onions, potatoes and two-thirds of mint. Mix remaining mint with yogurt and sugar. Drizzle over salad.

BIG GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk the vinegar, lemon juice, oregano and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a large bowl; slowly whisk in the olive oil until smooth.
• Add the cucumber, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, caperberries, Peppadews and red onion to the bowl with the dressing and toss. Season with salt and pepper.

BIG FRUIT SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the 2 melons in half, then scrap out the innards.
• Cut into 1/4's then 1/8's.
• Fillet from the skin and chop into 1/2-inch chunks.
• Toss into a BIG mixing bowl.
• Peel the mangoes and cut from the core then cut the two bigger pieces in half and chop into 1/2-inch chunks.
• Toss into the BIG mixing bowl.
• Wash the berries, and cut the tops off the strawberries and cut the big ones into halves of quarters.
• Toss into the BIG mixing bowl, then toss all the ingredients together.
• Peel and slice the kiwis into 1/4-inch rounds and place around the edges of the bowl for presentation.
• On the small holed side of your cheese grater (or with a micro plane), zest 2 of the limes and then place the zest in a small bowl.
• Juice all 4 of the limes into the bowl with the zest and then whisk in the sugar.
• Pour over the fruit salad and let sit for at least 4 hours before serving.