Salad recipe ideas are sometimes hard to come up with...but salads can inspire dreams.  Yes, salads can! 

You'll thank me for this entry for it holds inside of it two of my treasured salad dressings that will rock your world! 

I love salads.  My family and friends have given me the nickname "The Salad Queen"...it is kinda my forte!  These are like edible wonderlands; Simply incredible little worlds of flavor that inspire dreams, energetic conversation and many, many thanks to the chef!  (My 3 1/2 year old daughter has been known to drink the first dressing straight from the serving dish...she must be watched!  As for her reaction to the second dressing?  She may not drink it from a cup, but she'll eat every last delicately dressed leaf of lettuce in the bowl!  ~Sharing is a tough concept to learn and master!)


Ok...salad recipe ideas are below...

1. Your Salad dressing. You need one... A great one.  Here is an amazingly tasty dressing that will dress up any old green!


1/3 cup raw tahini
1/4 cup flaxseed oil (coldpressed)
1/4 cup sesame oil (coldpressed, toasted if you like)
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos
1 garlic clove (optional)

Blend it all up and add it to salad or dip veggies into it. YUM!  GLORIOUS dressing fit for any Queen or King.

2.  Mix it up!  Try new greens.  Combine them.  I love romaine, it is one of my faves as it is SO hydrating and crunchy!  I like to add kale to my romaine salads for a richer flavor, more chlorophyll, higher iron and a chewier consistency.  

3.  Salad doesn't have to be the usual green leaf lettuce with carrots and celery.  Don't get me wrong; carrots and celery are wonderful!  
Carrots contain high amounts of carotene which the body converts to vitamin A, great for our eyesight; rich in potassium, folic acid, magnesium, thiamin...carrots are 87% water so very hydrating.  They are great!
And celery?  Wow.  celery is high in potassium,  it is high in vitamin C, it is a diuretic, and celery is also a natural aphrodisiac! 

4.  Try new vegetables.  But here is a tip I like to stick to whenever possible:  If you have greens as the base of your salad, don't add too many vegetables.  It confuses the palate. Try 1-4 additional veggies.  Like the romaine, kale, celery, carrot, grape tomato salad with my Middle Eastern-ish dressing.  FABULOUS! 
  
Here is a salad I adore that has only 4 ingredients. (aside from the dressing):

Romaine or any leafy green
Thinly sliced or shredded red cabbage
Thinly sliced celery
raw pecans, roughly chopped.

The thing that makes this salad really sing?  
My pine nut dressing.
 
1 c. cashews soaked at least 30 minutes and then rinsed well.
1/2 cup pine nuts
1/3 c white onion
1/2 cup raw apple cider vinegar 
1 Tblsp. Sea salt
1/4 cup local raw honey
1 Tblsp. good stoneground mustard


Blend this up and begin singing and/or jumping for joy.  Now,  this salad is best when it is dressed in the bowl before serving; don't ask me why, it just is.  Dress it and then lovingly serve it to yourself in a beautiful bowl or serve it to others with a smile.


Salad recipes are best found by exploring in your own kitchen! Have fun! Enjoy these dressings and fool around with them.  Create your own.  Be bold in the kitchen and remember to eat your veggies!


In Peace,
Kirsten