Winter salad?

[alison]

What do you do during winter?

I love salads, but hate to pay the steep prices for (not-so) fresh lettuce and tomatoes during the winter.

Does anyone have any ideas?

Re: Winter salad?

I buy greens from the bulk salad green bin. They are fresh and tasty.

[Vishenka69]

Re: Winter salad?

I like baby spinach with thin green apple slices, some grated parm and dried cranberries. Another good one is red cabbage, carrots (sliced with peeler), cucumber and scallion. I hate winter tomatoes too, I usually stick to grape or cherry ones, as they always seem to taste the same.

[locumtenenswife]

Re: Winter salad?

If you like greek or mediterranean food, you can make a terrific salad with canned hearts of palm, marinated artichoke hearts from the jar, kalamata olives, cucumber and crumbled feta cheese. It's even better with fresh tomatoes, if you can get them.

Re: Winter salad?

I like everyone's ideas and will try some.

For me, I've been craving warm food because I just can't stay warm this winter.

... it helps me enjoy salad in the winter to add these while their still hot right before serving: sauteed sliced mushrooms and also raw sunflower seeds toasted in a heavy pan on the stove. These both taste great on the mixed herb salad greens from Trader Joes along with crumbled blue cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette.

Happy salad making!

[alison]

Re: Winter salad?

Thank you, everyone!

Crisis averted - my brother's girlfriend is coming after all, so it's no biggy if we don't have a salad.

I love insalata caprese in the winter - with cherry tomatoes. Thanks, Lily!

Re: Winter salad?

Well, you can go with a wilted spinach salad with a warm bacon dressing, unless you're concerned about calories (the dressing is made with the warm bacon fat, apple cider vinegar and sugar).

I buy hothouse tomatoes and instead of lettuce, we go with an antipasti plate of tomatoes, baby mozz and basil drizzled with olive oil.

You can have a taste of summer with a broccoli salad. Serve it with grilled chicken and you'll think it's june!

If any of that is useful and you want specific recipes let me know.

I'd like your wilted spinach salad dressing recipe.... warm sounds good....

[alison]

Re: Winter salad?

Well, you can go with a wilted spinach salad with a warm bacon dressing, unless you're concerned about calories (the dressing is made with the warm bacon fat, apple cider vinegar and sugar).

I buy hothouse tomatoes and instead of lettuce, we go with an antipasti plate of tomatoes, baby mozz and basil drizzled with olive oil.

You can have a taste of summer with a broccoli salad. Serve it with grilled chicken and you'll think it's june!

If any of that is useful and you want specific recipes let me know.

Yes, the spinach salad sounds good. Is there any way to drain the fat and do it with the bacon? Or would it be too dry?

I've also done this with caramelized walnuts and blue cheese. My husband doesn't like blue cheese though.

I'd like your wilted spinach salad dressing.... warm sounds good....

[alison]

Re: Winter salad?

Yum.

Re: Winter salad?

Yum.

What she said!

[alison]

Re: Winter salad?

I made a spinach salad, like you suggested, Lily. Only, I didn't use bacon this time. I made caramelized pecans, crumbled some blue cheese, and made the Barefoot Contessa's creamy vinaigrette. Oh, and I cut up a Granny Smith apple and added it. And then I tossed the whole thing together.

[Meenah]

Re: Winter salad?

Alison, please post the recipes. I'm salivating!!!!!