“Where would we be without salt?” – James Beard

a salad, or three

We’re here in the in between. Winter is on its way out but Spring still feels a world away. We’ve seen the same offenders in our vegetable drawers for months and I, for one, am ready for a change. But the frozen rain and threats of snow persist, keeping the asparagus from venturing out of the earth and the Rhubarb from turning to its ready-to-use ruby red (unless it’s green rhubarb).

Within our current limited resources I’m trying to make our salads a bit more exciting. And as is often the case I find a bit of restriction a great exercise in creativity. I’m constantly looking for new flavor combinations and new methods of cooking the same ingredients I’ve been working with for months.

I’ve always been a fan of salad. I find comfort in knowing I’m not alone. It really wasn’t until I started stretching my imagination and moving beyond greens doused in blue cheese dressing (although, at times, nothing can be better) that salads started to really inspire me. Now I find myself dreaming of salads and enjoying them daily.

If I’m having this much fun with them now, imagine what Summer will bring.

 

Orange Salad with Cocoa Nibs

serves 1

1 orange

2 Tablespoons cocoa nibs

1 Tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons aged balsamic

2 cups fresh spinach

salt and pepper

 

Carefully cut the rind of the orange off, taking as much of the white pith as you can. Cut the orange in rounds.

In a small bowl add the spinach and place the orange rounds on top. Sprinkle with the cocoa nibs and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic. Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy immediately.

 

Grilled Zucchini Salad
serves one

2 small zucchini
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3 Tablespoons fresh herbs, chopped (I used basil, mint, tarragon, and cilantro)
salt and pepper
lemon juice

Using a mandoline (or a steady hand and sharp knife) very thinly slice the zucchini.
Toss the zucchini in olive oil and salt and pepper.
On a hot grill pan or indoor grill, sear the zucchini until dark marks appear, about 30 seconds. Flip over and repeat on the other side.
Toss the grilled zucchini in a bowl with the fresh herbs and a hefty squeeze of lemon. Taste and add more salt if needed.

 

Avocado Salad with warm Jalapeno vinaigrette
serves 2

¼ cup coconut oil
1 Tablespoon chopped shallot
1 garlic clove, minced
½ to 1 sliced Jalapeno, deseeded (depending on how spicy you want it)
¼ teaspoon ground cumin
salt
2-3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 avocado
greens (spinach, cress, arugula, cilantro) or 1 cup cooked quinoa

In a skillet add the coconut oil and shallots. Cook for 2-3 minutes until just golden around the edges. Add the garlic, jalapeno, and cumin. Cook for 1 minute more then turn off heat. Stir in a pinch of salt and lime juice.
Pour ½ of the warm vinaigrette over half of an avocado that is sitting on greens.
If using quinoa stir some of the vinaigrette in the quinoa. Taste and adjust seasonings. Stir in chopped cilantro and cubed avocado.

 

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50 Comments

  1. Posted March 13, 2012 at 9:43 PM | Permalink

    The orange salad with cocoa nibs looks delicious. Can’t wait to try it!

  2. Posted March 13, 2012 at 11:16 PM | Permalink

    I’ll second the comment about the orange salad! Yum!
    I’m also looking so very forward to rhubarb season! I would say it’s may second favorite after meyer lemons.

  3. Posted March 14, 2012 at 12:03 AM | Permalink

    These salads look beautiful! The grilled zucchini in particular is speaking to me, thanks for the inspiration.

  4. Posted March 14, 2012 at 12:31 AM | Permalink

    So simple yet so delicious looking! I’m definitely going to try the avocado and grilled zucchini salads!

  5. Posted March 14, 2012 at 12:44 AM | Permalink

    I was just thinking my salad selections were getting stale! I have to try these, yummy. That orange salad with cocoa nibs look so great.

  6. Posted March 14, 2012 at 4:06 AM | Permalink

    Oranges and cocoa nibs? I’m in! I happen to have some cocoa nibs in the cupboard I have no idea what to do with. Salad time!

  7. Posted March 14, 2012 at 5:13 AM | Permalink

    Great salad recipe. Love the orange salad the most.

  8. Posted March 14, 2012 at 5:14 AM | Permalink

    Three fab salads! Love all of these!!

  9. Posted March 14, 2012 at 7:12 AM | Permalink

    A well-timed post, as summer approaches salad will be top of my menu as heavier foods start to become too much for the heat. Thanks for sharing these recipes – the zucchini one especially looks delicious.

  10. Posted March 14, 2012 at 7:13 AM | Permalink

    Ever tried this salad dressing? Olive oil, Balsamic vinegar and maple sirup. I serve it with baby spinach, chickpeas, tomatoes and mozzarella salad.

  11. Posted March 14, 2012 at 7:18 AM | Permalink

    I’m really feeling the salads right now- must be spring fever! I often make an avocado salad with jalapeño vinaigrette to serve with seared sea scallops. Love the idea for cacao nibs on the citrus salad and can’t wait to try it!

  12. Posted March 14, 2012 at 7:31 AM | Permalink

    YUM!

  13. Posted March 14, 2012 at 7:34 AM | Permalink

    delurking to say these salads are uhhmazing. the first one is genius – thank you so much!! I never would have thought to add cacao nibs.

  14. Posted March 14, 2012 at 8:31 AM | Permalink

    Great post!!! I also love salads and am forced to eat them more and more due to a no-grain diet. Thankfully, this just breathed new life into my salad life :) Than you!

  15. Posted March 14, 2012 at 8:44 AM | Permalink

    I’m a huge fan of the salad. These definitely look worth a try!

  16. Posted March 14, 2012 at 8:44 AM | Permalink

    so clean, so crisp. love your composition. it’s evident you put effort and care into your work! love your cocao nibs container!!!!!!!

  17. Posted March 14, 2012 at 9:02 AM | Permalink

    I would have never thought to combine the orange and cacoa – very neat. and the zucchini salad will be in my life as soon as they hit the farm stand :)

  18. Posted March 14, 2012 at 10:22 AM | Permalink

    What a way to make salads into a celebration weather be damned! Love it. And, I can’t wait to try orange and cocoa together. Perhaps I too will be dreaming of salads soon. Delightful. Absolutely delightful.

  19. Terry C
    Posted March 14, 2012 at 11:33 AM | Permalink

    Thank you. You are a genius with camera and language.

  20. Posted March 14, 2012 at 11:44 AM | Permalink

    Over the last week, I’ve tried some salads that have completely blown my mind with their creativity. And here I have three more. Fabulous, Ashley!

  21. Posted March 14, 2012 at 2:03 PM | Permalink

    Love the salads, especially the orange and cocoa nibs. I know orange and chocolate go together, but would never have thought to pairing orange with cocoa nibs in a salad! So creative.

  22. Posted March 15, 2012 at 5:58 AM | Permalink

    ooh, that grillled zucchini is gorgeous.
    want to come cook for me?

  23. Posted March 15, 2012 at 7:27 AM | Permalink

    I love cocoa, but I never thought about putting nibs in a salad, it’s a great idea!
    Well, I like all the salads :)

  24. Posted March 15, 2012 at 1:20 PM | Permalink

    love the photos and a great recipe as well! going to be following you now!
    xo!
    gigi.

  25. Posted March 15, 2012 at 1:54 PM | Permalink

    I am bookmarking this page and trying all three!

  26. Posted March 15, 2012 at 1:58 PM | Permalink

    What a gorgeous collection of salads! I think the courgette one is my favourite, although actually they all look incredible…such a perfect way to welcome in the warmer weather :-)

  27. Posted March 15, 2012 at 6:57 PM | Permalink

    Your pictures, as always, are exquisite, Ashley. Props to you for giving us 3 salads! I think I’ll try the zucchini one first.

  28. Posted March 15, 2012 at 8:59 PM | Permalink

    oh man. that zucchini one looks SO delicious! They all so, but I love grilled zucchini. Not to mention that I am impressed you blogged three salads at once, high five. :)

  29. Posted March 16, 2012 at 8:39 AM | Permalink

    What gorgeous photos! Simple salads are something I treasure. These combinations you came up with look + sound incredible! Thanks for sharing!! :)

  30. Posted March 16, 2012 at 10:27 AM | Permalink

    The avocado salad has my name all over it. Sounds amazing.

  31. Posted March 16, 2012 at 11:41 AM | Permalink

    Such interesting salads! Really want to try that jalapeno vinaigrette.

  32. Posted March 16, 2012 at 1:07 PM | Permalink

    So envious that zucchini is available in your neck of the woods. It’s not in season here until the middle of the summer.

    Also, that salad with cocoa nibs is pure genius. (I thought it was star anise at first until I read the recipe.)

  33. Posted March 16, 2012 at 3:04 PM | Permalink

    This post is so creative, I keep scrolling back and forth between all three salads!

  34. Posted March 16, 2012 at 4:39 PM | Permalink

    These salads make me so excited for spring! I love all three. I am so especially intrigued by that warm jalapeno dressing – I can see myself slathering it on everything. Lovely!

  35. Posted March 16, 2012 at 5:12 PM | Permalink

    What a lovely combination of yummy ingrediants! I must confess, i don’t know what cocoa nibs are, but they sound divine. I know what those licoricie cherry nibs are, but not these. Anyway, your photos make salads look extra fantastic. Thank you!

  36. Posted March 16, 2012 at 10:18 PM | Permalink

    Ooh. I’m dreaming of warmer weather too, but these salads will definitely hold me over! I love the addition of cocoa nibs!

  37. Posted March 17, 2012 at 9:31 AM | Permalink

    Great ideas. I love the idea of adding cocoa nibs to the salad. Yuuuuum.

    Kacie
    http://www.gorgeinthegorge.com/

  38. Posted March 17, 2012 at 4:06 PM | Permalink

    Mmmmm love salads too. Grilled zuch sounds fabulous, yes, please, I think I will.

  39. Posted March 19, 2012 at 2:22 AM | Permalink

    Your salads all look delicious….love the ribbons of zuchinni!

  40. Sheri
    Posted March 19, 2012 at 11:40 AM | Permalink

    Do you have a favorite source for the cocoa nibs?

  41. Posted March 19, 2012 at 8:55 PM | Permalink

    Sheri – In Seattle I love Theo and I am fairly certain you can order them online as well. Amazon also carries them.

  42. Posted March 19, 2012 at 9:00 PM | Permalink

    Kimberley – I have future plans for that dressing as well. If you want more heat add the full jalapeno as the process of sauteeing makes the heat very subtle. Hope you like it!

  43. Posted March 19, 2012 at 9:02 PM | Permalink

    Jen – Cocoa nibs are roasted and cracked cocoa beans. It’s like chocolate without the sugar and refinement. They are crunchy, almost nut-like with a hint of chocolate. Basically, they’re magic.

  44. Posted March 19, 2012 at 9:14 PM | Permalink

    Becca – Yes, I do.

  45. Posted March 19, 2012 at 9:16 PM | Permalink

    Lauren – yes! I love it when the lurkers come out of the woodworks. Thank you.

  46. Posted March 19, 2012 at 9:35 PM | Permalink

    Quiddy – Sounds great. Thank you for sharing.

  47. Posted March 20, 2012 at 9:46 AM | Permalink

    Thanks for this recipe for orange salad with cocoa nibs. It sounds like a nice, light treat.

  48. Posted March 20, 2012 at 10:31 AM | Permalink

    I can’t get over the orange salad with cocoa nibs! Beautiful!

  49. Posted March 21, 2012 at 3:42 AM | Permalink

    What a dreamy salad! I feel like I want to dive straight into it. I love the idea of grilling zucchini. Such a beautiful sight.

  50. Posted April 11, 2012 at 9:53 AM | Permalink

    The orange salad looks amazing! Thanks for sharing. And congrats on a Saveur nomination, too! Cheers!

6 Trackbacks

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