Best Garden Salad Recipes

OLIVE GARDEN SALAD (COPYCAT)

Steps:

• In a large glass or wooden salad serving bowl, toss together the lettuce mix, onion slices, olives, pepperoncini, tomatoes, and croutons. Add dressing and toss to combine.
• Serve with fresh Parmesan cheese and black pepper to taste.

SUMMER GARDEN COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Place corn in a Dutch oven; cover with water. Bring to a boil; cover and cook for 6-9 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Stir in couscous. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 5-10 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool slightly., In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, tomatoes, cheese, onion and parsley. Drain corn and immediately place in ice water. Drain and pat dry; cut the kernels from the cobs. Add to cucumber mixture. Stir in couscous., In a small bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice and seasonings. Pour over couscous mixture; toss to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until chilled.

OLIVE GARDEN-STYLE HOUSE SALAD

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.

GARDEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling water until al dente. Rinse under cold water, and drain.
• Mix chopped carrots, celery, cucumber, green pepper, tomatoes, and onion together in large bowl.
• Combine cooled pasta and vegetables together in large bowl. Pour Italian dressing over mixture, add Parmesan cheese and mix well.
• Chill for one hour before serving.

PERFECT GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Tear lettuce into bite sized pieces and wash and dry thoroughly. Place in large salad bowl (wider than it is deep). Top with prepared vegetables.
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cheese. Go lightly until you learn how much is "to taste" for you.
• Pour oil over salad, then vinegar. It is important that the oil be first. Quantity requires a bit of practice - go light on the vinegar at first. You can add more if needed. Aim to coat the top layer of vegetables. Toss until well mixed. Taste - add vinegar or oil if needed, and toss again. Do not add dry ingredients (see below). Serve immediately.
• Note: Your first couple salads may not be perfect. If you find that you didn't add enough salt or pepper, let diners add more as served - you can't get it well dispersed if you add to the salad bowl after the oil and vinegar have been added If you find that you added too much vinegar, a little salt can counteract - again, add as served.

ALMOST-FAMOUS GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all the dressing ingredients and 1 to 2 tablespoons water in a blender or food processor; puree until smooth.
• Place the salad blend in a large bowl and top with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle with the dressing.
• Photography by Kate Sears

GARDEN PASTA SALAD WITH CREAMY DILL DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix together salad ingredients in a large salad bowl.
• Mix together dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
• Pour dressing over salad, tossing to coat evenly.
• Refrigerate for 2-3 hours before serving.

GARDEN SHELL SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions, adding the peas during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking time. Drain and rinse in cold water. , In a large bowl, combine the pasta, peas, celery, red pepper and onion. In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, basil, mustard, salt and pepper. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

OLIVE GARDEN SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in a blender until well mixed.
• If this is a little to tart for your own personal tastes please add a little extra sugar.

QUICK AND EASY GARDEN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Toss all ingredients and refrigerate.
• Can be made up to 2 days ahead.
• Serve chilled or at room temperature.
• Can be easily doubled.

OLIVE GARDEN SALAD DRESSING - FOOD NETWORK KITCHEN'S COPYCAT

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor; puree until smooth.

GARDEN-FRESH PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, omitting salt and adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 3 min. Drain.
• Rinse pasta mixture with cold water; drain well. Place in large bowl. Add all remaining ingredients except cheese; mix lightly.
• Refrigerate 1 hour. Stir gently before serving; top with cheese.

GREEN GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a jar or bottle with tight-fitting lid, combine all the dressing ingredients; shake well. Chill. Just before serving, combine greens, onion, cucumber and tomatoes in a large salad bowl. Pour desired amount of dressing over salad; toss to mix. Top with the green pepper rings.

GARDEN BOW TIE SALAD

Steps:

• Wash the first five ingredients but do not dry; chop and transfer to a large bowl. Add remaining vegetables. Sprinkle with dry dressing mix; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, 4-6 hours or overnight., Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water. Add to vegetable mixture. In a small bowl, whisk remaining ingredients. Add to salad; toss to coat.

CREAMY GARDEN CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Arrange cucumber slices in a large bowl, generously seasoning each layer of cucumber with salt and pepper. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours.
• Drain liquid from cucumbers. Gently press cucumber slices with paper towel to absorb any remaining liquid.
• Stir half-and-half, sour cream, mayonnaise, green onions, ranch dressing mix, sugar, dill, celery salt, and lime juice together in a small bowl; pour over cucumber slices and gently stir to coat.

GARDEN TUNA MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine tuna, vegetables and parsley. Drain macaroni and rinse in cold water; add to tuna mixture., In a small bowl, combine Miracle Whip, ranch dressing, Parmesan cheese and pepper. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.

SWEET AND CRUNCHY GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix the almonds with 1/4 cup of the sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring as the sugar melts and the almonds brown. Carefully spread the almonds on an ungreased baking sheet to cool, using a metal spatula; the nuts will be very hot. When completely cooled, break the candied almonds into tiny pieces.
• Tear the iceberg and romaine lettuce into pieces and transfer them to a salad bowl. Cover and refrigerate if not serving immediately.
• Combine the oil, vinegar, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and the parsley, salt, pepper and cayenne in a bowl, and mix well. Chill covered, in the refrigerator, until ready to serve.
• Combine the lettuce, sliced green onions, candied almonds and orange segments in a large salad bowl. Just before serving, toss the salad with enough dressing to coat the greens.

GARDEN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling water until al dente. Rinse under cold water, and drain.
• Mix carrots, celery, peppers, tomatoes, and green onion together in large bowl. Add the cooled pasta and mix together. Pour the dressing over mixture, add the Parmesan and mix well.
• Chill before serving.

SUMMER GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: Combine the buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, dill, garlic powder, vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Transfer to a ramekin.
• For the salad: Place the ramekin in the center of a platter. Arrange the lettuce around the dressing. Layer the tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers on top of the lettuce and serve.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN WITH TENDER LEEK, LEMON RICE PILAF, AND WHATEVER YOUR GARDEN GROWS SALAD

Steps:

• Trim leeks of tough green ends and roots. Split leeks lengthwise, then cut across into 1/2-inch slices. Place sandy slices of leeks into a large bowl filled with cold water. Separating the layers of each slice to free the grains of sand. Allow the sand to settle to the bottom of the bowl. With your hands, gently lift the leeks out of the water leaving the sand and dirt behind. Place the leeks within arm's reach of the stovetop.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add olive oil to skillet to coat the pan, then add chicken breasts. Brown chicken breasts 3 to 4 minutes on each side, then transfer to a plate.
• Add a little more oil to the pan, then pour in leeks. Saute leeks 5 minutes, until soft and translucent. Add 1 cup wine to the pan and nestle chicken breasts down into leeks. Reduce heat to simmer and cook chicken 5 to 7 minutes longer.
• To serve, remove chicken from pan and slice on an angle. Fan and arrange sliced chicken breasts over a bed of Sauteed leeks on each dinner plate or a warm serving platter. Serve with rice and salad.
• Pilaf: heat a medium saucepan or pot over moderate heat. Add oil and butter and shallots to the pan. Saute shallots 2 minutes, then add 1 1/2 cups rice. Lightly brown rice 3 to 5 minutes. Add wine and allow it to evaporate entirely, 1 to 2 minutes. Add thyme and chicken broth to the rice. Fill broth can half-again with water or, measure 1 cup water and add to pot. Bring liquid to a boil. Cover rice and reduce heat. Cook rice 20 minutes, until tender.
• Stir the zest of 1 lemon and parsley into rice. Transfer lemon rice to dinner plates or warm serving dish and garnish with toasted slivered almonds.
• Heat 3-inches of water in a deep skillet and heat to a boil. Add trimmed wax and green beans and julienne sliced yellow squash to the pot. Simmering vegetables in water for 2 minutes, add red peppers and simmer 1 minute longer. You want the vegetables to remain full of color and bite. Drain vegetables and cold-shock under running water in your colander.
• Place drained vegetables in a serving dish and combine with sliced scallions and shredded dark garden greens, such as spinach or arugula.
• Whisk together mustard, vinegar, and lemon juice. Add olive oil in a slow stream while whisking to get a nice emulsion of your dressing. Add herbs and pour dressing over the salad. Toss salad to combine flavors and coat your vegetables evenly.