Gourmet Salad Extravaganza
Transform your dining experience with this Gourmet Salad Extravaganza! This delightful recipe offers an array of fresh greens, proteins, vibrant veggies, and crunchy toppings, all paired with two irresistibly easy homemade dressings. Perfect for gatherings, this salad bar allows each guest to customize their meal to suit their taste. Don’t hesitate to mix in some store-bought items for a quick and effortless setup. Get ready to impress your friends and family with a colorful and nutritious feast that's as fun to build as it is to eat!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
33
Ingredients
Ingredients
chopped romaine lettuce
10 ounces (chopped)
spring mixed salad greens
10 ounces (mixed)
baby spinach leaves
10 ounces (washed)
cooked chicken breasts
8 ounces (sliced)
cooked tofu
8 ounces (cubed and sautéed)
chopped ham
8 ounces (cubed)
crispy bacon
8 slices (cooked and chopped)
hard-boiled eggs
6 (sliced)
avocados
2 (sliced)
carrots
2 medium (grated)
frozen peas
1 cup (thawed)
cucumber
1 medium (sliced)
frozen corn
1 cup (thawed)
garbanzo beans
1 can (14 ounces) (drained and rinsed)
cherry tomatoes
1 pint (halved)
red onion
1 small (thinly sliced)
feta cheese
4 ounces (crumbled)
parmesan cheese
4 ounces (shredded)
cheddar cheese
4 ounces (shredded)
croutons
8 ounces (store-bought or homemade)
sunflower seeds
1/2 cup (raw)
dried cranberries
1/2 cup (none)
red wine vinegar
1/2 cup (none)
olive oil
1/2 cup (none)
Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon (none)
garlic cloves
2 (grated)
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
dried Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon (none)
mayonnaise
1/3 cup (none)
white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon (none)
fresh chives
1 tablespoon (chopped)
Instructions
1
Set up your salad bar by arranging three large bowls, each filled with a different base of chopped romaine lettuce, spring mixed salad greens, and baby spinach leaves.
2
Next, prepare your protein options. For convenience, visit your local deli for freshly cooked chicken and sliced or shredded ham. If you wish to cook tofu at home, drain and press extra-firm tofu, then cut it into cubes and sauté with olive oil, salt, and pepper until golden. Cook bacon in the oven for a crisp texture without the mess. Hard-boil the eggs by placing them in a pot of water, bringing it to a boil, then letting them sit off the heat for 10-12 minutes; cool and slice.
3
To build your veggie toppings, prepare a variety of seasonal vegetables and place them in small bowls. Consider avocado, grated carrots, thawed peas, sliced cucumber, corn, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion. You can also add canned beans for a nutritious boost.
4
Add a touch of indulgence with cheese! Offer a selection of crumbled feta, shredded parmesan, or cheddar to complement your salad. Feel free to include other favorites such as cubed mozzarella.
5
Finish the salad bar with tasty crunchy toppings like sunflower seeds, nuts, and dried cranberries, along with a generous helping of croutons.
6
Now, let’s prepare the homemade dressings. For a vibrant Dijon Vinaigrette, combine red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning in a mason jar. Shake vigorously until well mixed. For a creamy Dijon dressing, whisk together mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, chopped chives, salt, and pepper in a bowl until smooth.
7
Make the dressings available in serving dishes at the end of your salad bar, and encourage guests to create their own customized salads filled with their desired ingredients and dressings!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gourmet Salad Extravaganza?
The Gourmet Salad Extravaganza is a customizable salad bar recipe featuring a variety of fresh greens, proteins, vibrant vegetables, and crunchy toppings, accompanied by two homemade dressings.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
What are the three base greens used in this salad bar?
The bases consist of 10 ounces each of chopped romaine lettuce, spring mixed salad greens, and washed baby spinach leaves.
What protein options are included in the Gourmet Salad Extravaganza?
The protein selection includes cooked chicken breasts, cooked tofu, chopped ham, crispy bacon, and hard-boiled eggs.
How should I prepare the tofu for the salad?
Drain and press extra-firm tofu, cut it into cubes, and sauté with olive oil, salt, and pepper until it becomes golden.
What is the recommended method for cooking the bacon?
The instructions suggest cooking the bacon in the oven for a crisp texture without the mess.
How long should I boil the eggs for the salad bar?
Bring a pot of water to a boil, then let the eggs sit off the heat for 10-12 minutes before cooling and slicing them.
What vegetable toppings are suggested for this recipe?
Suggested vegetables include avocados, grated carrots, thawed peas, sliced cucumber, thawed corn, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion.
Does this recipe include beans?
Yes, it includes one 14-ounce can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed.
What types of cheese are used in the salad bar?
The recipe calls for crumbled feta, shredded parmesan, and shredded cheddar cheese.
What crunchy toppings are recommended to finish the salad?
The salad is finished with croutons, raw sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries.
What are the two types of homemade dressings provided?
The recipe includes a vibrant Dijon Vinaigrette and a Creamy Dijon dressing.
How do I make the Dijon Vinaigrette?
Combine red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning in a jar and shake vigorously.
What ingredients are needed for the Creamy Dijon dressing?
You will need mayonnaise, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, chopped chives, salt, and pepper.
Can I use store-bought items for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe encourages mixing in store-bought items like pre-cooked deli meats or croutons for a quicker setup.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, since it is served as a salad bar, vegetarians can choose tofu, beans, eggs, and cheese while omitting the meat options.
What kind of vinegar is used in the vinaigrette?
Red wine vinegar is used for the Dijon Vinaigrette.
What kind of vinegar is used in the creamy dressing?
White wine vinegar is used for the Creamy Dijon dressing.
How many total ingredients are listed in this recipe?
There are a total of 33 ingredients included in the recipe list.
Are there specific herbs mentioned for the dressings?
Yes, the vinaigrette uses dried Italian seasoning and the creamy dressing uses fresh chopped chives.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be grated before being added to the salad bar.
Should the frozen corn and peas be cooked?
The recipe specifies that the frozen peas and frozen corn should be thawed before serving.
What is the best way to serve the dressings?
Place the dressings in serving dishes at the end of the salad bar so guests can add them to their custom creations.
How is the garlic prepared for the vinaigrette?
Two garlic cloves should be grated before being added to the dressing mixture.
What type of mustard is used for both dressings?
Both the vinaigrette and the creamy dressing use Dijon mustard.
How are the cherry tomatoes prepared?
One pint of cherry tomatoes should be halved.
What kind of lettuce is recommended for the base?
The recipe uses a combination of chopped romaine, spring mix, and baby spinach.
Is the onion sliced a specific way?
One small red onion should be thinly sliced.
What is the role of sunflower seeds in this recipe?
Raw sunflower seeds serve as a crunchy topping to add texture to the salad.
Why is this recipe good for gatherings?
It allows each guest to customize their meal to their own taste preferences using a wide variety of fresh ingredients.