Wholesome Crunchy Garden Salad with Creamy Herb Yogurt Dressing
This vibrant and nutrient-rich salad is a delightful adaptation of a classic recipe. It's perfect for lunch or a light dinner, offering a satisfying blend of fresh vegetables, creamy avocado, and savory bacon or veggie bacon. The yogurt-based dressing is herbaceous and tangy, providing a refreshing complement without overpowering the natural flavors of the salad. This flexible recipe allows for easy ingredient substitutions based on what's available, making it both practical and delicious. Enjoy the balance of textures and nutrients, with the option to reduce calories by using low-fat or fat-free yogurt and mayonnaise.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
romaine lettuce
2 cups (chopped)
tomatoes
1/4 cup (chopped)
onion
1/4 cup (chopped)
cucumber
1/4 cup (chopped)
avocado
1/4 cup (chopped)
bacon or veggie bacon
1 slice (cooked and chopped)
egg
1 (hard boiled and chopped)
cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons (shredded)
plain yogurt
1/2 cup
mayonnaise
1 tablespoon
parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped)
chives
1 tablespoon (chopped)
lemon juice
1 teaspoon
honey
1/2 teaspoon
ground pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
Begin by chopping the romaine lettuce and placing it as a base in a large salad bowl.
2
Evenly distribute the chopped tomatoes, onion, cucumber, and avocado over the lettuce.
3
Add the cooked and chopped bacon or veggie bacon, followed by the hard-boiled egg.
4
Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese on top.
5
To prepare the dressing, combine the plain yogurt, mayonnaise, parsley, chives, lemon juice, honey, and ground pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy.
6
Drizzle the dressing over the salad, ensuring even coverage.
7
Toss the salad gently to combine ingredients and serve immediately for the freshest taste.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary base of the Wholesome Crunchy Garden Salad?
The salad uses two cups of chopped romaine lettuce as its base.
How can I make this salad vegetarian?
You can easily make this recipe vegetarian by substituting the traditional bacon with veggie bacon.
What ingredients are used to make the creamy herb yogurt dressing?
The dressing consists of plain yogurt, mayonnaise, chopped parsley, chives, lemon juice, honey, and ground pepper.
Is this salad recipe suitable for a low-sodium diet?
Yes, this recipe is specifically tagged as a 'low salt' meal option.
How do I prepare the dressing to ensure it is smooth?
To achieve a smooth and creamy consistency, combine the dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until uniform.
What type of cheese is recommended for this garden salad?
The recipe calls for two tablespoons of shredded cheddar cheese to be sprinkled on top.
Can I reduce the calorie count of this salad?
Yes, the description suggests using low-fat or fat-free versions of yogurt and mayonnaise to reduce the overall calories.
Which vegetables are included in the salad topping?
The toppings include chopped tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and avocado.
Does this recipe contain any added sugars?
The dressing includes a small amount (1/2 teaspoon) of honey as a natural sweetener.
How many eggs are required for this recipe?
One hard-boiled and chopped egg is added to the salad for extra protein.
Is this salad intended for lunch or dinner?
This salad is versatile and perfect for both lunch and a light dinner.
What is the best way to serve this salad?
It should be tossed gently to combine all ingredients and served immediately for the freshest taste.
How much avocado should I add?
The recipe specifies using 1/4 cup of chopped avocado.
What herbs provide the flavor for the dressing?
The dressing is flavored with one tablespoon each of chopped fresh parsley and chopped chives.
How much yogurt is used in the dressing recipe?
The dressing uses 1/2 cup of plain yogurt as its primary base.
Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have everything on the list?
Yes, this is a flexible recipe that allows for easy substitutions based on what ingredients you have available.
Is the bacon cooked before adding it to the salad?
Yes, the bacon or veggie bacon should be cooked and then chopped before being added.
How much lemon juice goes into the dressing?
One teaspoon of lemon juice is used to provide a tangy flavor.
Is this salad considered a high-protein option?
Yes, it is tagged as 'protein-rich' due to the inclusion of egg, bacon, cheese, and yogurt.
What amount of cucumber is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of chopped cucumber.
How do I ensure the dressing is evenly distributed?
Drizzle the dressing over the top and then gently toss the salad to ensure even coverage.
Is mayonnaise a large part of the dressing?
No, it only uses one tablespoon of mayonnaise, keeping the focus on the yogurt.
Does the recipe include black pepper?
Yes, ground pepper is added to the dressing to taste.
What is the texture of the salad like?
The salad offers a balance of textures, combining crunchy vegetables and lettuce with creamy avocado and dressing.
How much onion should be chopped for the salad?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of chopped onion.
What amount of tomatoes is required?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of chopped tomatoes.
Can I prepare this salad quickly?
Yes, 'quick' is one of the primary tags, making it ideal for a fast meal.
Are the instructions easy to follow?
The instructions are straightforward, involving basic chopping, blending, and layering steps.
Is this a nutrient-rich recipe?
Yes, the description highlights it as a vibrant and nutrient-rich adaptation of a classic garden salad.
What kind of yogurt is best for the dressing?
The recipe specifies plain yogurt, which allows the herbs and lemon to define the flavor.