I hate salads. No, really, I do. This may be the result of years of vegetarianism where the only “choice” at most places is, well, a salad. Or maybe salads just scream “pile of boring health” to me. But I branched out (or back in?) this weekend. It was gorgeous and 70+ degrees, and I was willing to take the salad plunge, as long as I got fast meals that didn’t require a stove.
At least this means my WIAW is definitely green this time around.
Curry Chicken Salad
I had a leftover cooked chicken breast. I shredded it and tossed in some curry powder, a dollop of Greek yogurt, diced celery and apple. Ate on spinach with a sprinkle of almonds. Cool, spicy, crunchy.
Lemony Salmon Salad
I had a can of salmon. I added lemon juice, a dollop of Greek yogurt and a hefty dose of paprika. Ate on spinach. Could have used a sprinkle of almonds.
Cranny Goat Salad
I had fresh, local goat cheese from the farmer’s market. I stole this awesome ingredient combination from the always-inspiring Sarah and topped a salad with goat cheese, avocado and fresh cranberry sauce.
(Almost) Classic Tuna Salad
I had a can of tuna. I added spicy mustard, finely diced onion and celery and crushed tomato. Threw it on spinach, served it with avocado.
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So, there you have it. It’s back to cold, gray and rainy, so I’m back to any-food-but-salad. Like this awesome plate of perfectly fresh and delicious fajita from last night. I think I’ve found a new favorite Mexican restaurant.
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Are you a fan of salad? What are your favorite combinations?
ForgottenBeast 
Hahah at “pile of boring health”…those salad combos above look anything but boring to me, my friend- yum! I love salads, primarily because they allow me to satisfy a number of flavor & texture cravings in one shot! Lately my favorite combo involves arugula, shredded chicken, chickpeas, strawberries, slivered almonds and balsamic- it has summer written all over it :)!
Mm, that combo sounds great! I need to break the balsamic out if I keep on with this salad trend. And there is something about a good texture combo–I think that’s why I wasn’t as happy with the salmon one above–it needed a little something else!
Man. When I saw “70 degrees” I said SHUT UP.
You should try salmon topped with mashed mango and a bit of Tabasco on spinach. SO GOOD. My favorite salad ever.
Don’t get too jealous, it’s back to being 35 degrees here again today 😦 Where is spring??
Mmm, my salmon salad was definitely missing something–a little mango and heat would have been perfect in there with the lemon! I’m a sucker for citrus/fruit and fish now.
Kentucky got that 70 degree day too and it was THE BEST THING EVER.
I really like salads, just not the ones that I make. I like salads that have lotsa fancy shit in them, like dried fruit, roasted nuts, and smelly cheeses. My salads usually have carrots and hardboiled eggs
It’s back to 35/40-ish here, but, oh, I will hold close to those memories of sun and 70. Heaven.
Haha, I’m totally having hardboiled eggs and broccoli for lunch. And nope, not that excited.
I LOVE salads! I’m currently really enjoying grilled tuna steak, cucumber, cherry tomato, romaine lettuce, cheddar cheese and seasoning/spices – lovely!
I need to start cooking fresh tuna steaks! That would be a much more enjoyable topping for salads than the canned version…but man, canned tuna sure is easy to prepare ;D
Oh I totally agree – but…(and you may recoil in horror here) I discovered that fresh tuna tastes really good if you microwave it! Not so great if you like it pink in the middle though, which I don’t.
Oh no, I’ll never recoil from the fabulous time-saver that is the microwave, haha. I’ve never tried putting fresh fish in there, but now I will! I’m not a pink fan, I like my meat/fish well-cooked, so that won’t be a problem.
I microwave quite a lot of fish – it works well for cod and haddock too 🙂
Holy salads lady!! I literally can make 1 tasty salad, and that’s the Mexican kind lol Somehow I always seem to screw other salads up!!
I can’t believe a mexi-salad never crossed my mind! Maybe because I keep eating Mexican out all the time ;D But salsa + greens + guac + Mexican accoutrements never falls into the boring salad category.
One of my favorite combinations!!! Thanks for the shout out!! 🙂 I have also been loving salads! I can’t seem to get enough….and tuna, just like you! 🙂 However, I have also been in the warm Arizona temps so that will surely do it. Too bad when I return to NJ Friday it will be 40’s and freezing….I think I will be back to winter cravings 😦 I am only a salad fan in the warm weather! Unless it’s a taco salad loaded with warm things like chicken, beans, etc! 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration! The flavor combo was just perfect–and felt like I was eating something gourmet/high-end, but it only took me less than five minutes to throw it in a bowl. It’s back to 30s/40s here now too, so yeah, salad will have to go back on the back-burner until we get another spring-like day. And fajitas are kinda like taco salad, right? ‘Cause I kinda want to go back to that restaurant every night now…
all of these I want in my stomach, so delicious.
Wow I just had the weirdest expression on my face reading your blog. You know why? Cause your salads look good! I am not a huge salad fan so that is a huge compliment! Cheers..
Yesss, I know how much of a compliment it is when salads look good to non-salad fans (since I am one). Thank you!
I actually love salads and love trying new dressing combos something about salads are so refreshing to me. Your curry chicken salad is a combo I need to try out :-). Thank you form sharing! Love + Shine Courtstar
The curry one was my favorite! Something about the creamy-curry-chicken with some crunch and sweetness from celery and apple.
I love salads! Honestly, what is a salad? It bunch of things cut up and put together. So versatile, quick, and delish 🙂 Love your variations ^^
That cranny goat salad looks so good! Love goat cheese. I’ve always liked salads but up until the last few months, I would only order them at restaurants because my own were no good. I’m not sure if blogging has made me a better cook or what but now, I eat a salad for lunch everyday. I’m actually a little worried I’ll burn out on them too. I think the key is adding l lots of toppings!
Yep, toppings are key! And good greens, not just iceberg or some sort of texture-less, flavor-less green stuff underneath.
It is so crazy to see you eating chicken! That said, the curry sald looks amazing. 🙂
Ah, tuna + avocado is such a good combo! I love making tuna sandwiches with guac 🙂
Funny–I adore salads. You can throw in whatever you happen to have on hand, and it almost always comes out delicious (to me). My favorite is to top a raw veggie salad with roasted veggies, and protein and dressing that is warm. Something about the cold/crisp paired with the warm/softer totally hits the spot!
Hmm, I’ve never tried a warm dressing–but I love the idea of playing with hot & cold in my salad!
I love salad, because to me it’s an excuse to throw everything in a bowl and smother it in some sort of sauce or dressing. You salads look seriously delicious too btw
OK You made salad look good in this post. I’m not a huge salad person either… I may have to try some of these versions though!
I love salads. LOVE them. Of course, the ‘Sarah-style’ salad is a Big Friendly Giant of a salad monster with whatever the heck I can find in the fridge to throw on it. It is the biggest, most disgusting mess. And I love it.
Well, Allie, I must say that I’m completely the opposite. Years of vegetarianism have made me love salads More! Can’t tell you why. Probably, because as you’ve done here, I try to get creative. Love the look of the Granny Goat cheese one. Love the idea of adding cranberry sauce. Yum all over!!
I am not a salad fan. I need so much other crap than greenery to even stay remotely full. I know it’s all in my head, but I can’t help it.
I’ll totally take a pile of goat cheese though.
Same here–I’m always hungry after a salad. It’s my same issue with smoothies/juice, too. I finish, and then I look around for the ACTUAL meal.
Girl, let me make you a salad and you will never hate them again. During the summer (sigh) I get so much lettuce in my CSA that I have made salads fun and exciting. It’s the only way to get the Hubby to eat them. Finely dice (or use a food processor) and then season and roast sweet potatoes and add some of that to your salad. Or beans, corn, tomatoes, avocado, cheddar, green onions, maybe a little ground meat if you’re feeling it. That might even have a Mexican vibe.
PS. Is that goat cheese, goat cheese or just goat cheese?
Ohh man, I think I’d like your salad style, even if it IS a salad. More incentive to head north this summer…
The lemony salmon salad looks and sounds delicious!
I used to hate salads too!!! I thought they were SO BORING. And they were, haha. But then I discovered things like kale, and tahini, and now I’m in salad heaven!
I am a HUGE fan of salads. I can throw anything on top of romaine or some spinach and make it work. I love all different flavors and texture combinations so salads fit the bill. I am a big fan of sundried tomatoes and artichoke hearts as of late.
Hi Allie. I’m a big salad fan. Lately, I’ve been on a massaged kale salad kick. I top it with whatever fruit I have on hand, sunflower seeds and some feta. So simple, so tasty. Hope you are doing well.
I have yet to try massaging kale! But that combo sounds spectacular, I’ve gotta get around to it soon 🙂
I’m actually not much of a salad fan either, I only tend to like salads with lots of different ingredients and an interesting dressing. Having said that your chicken and salmon salads look delicious, and I’ll like any salad with avocado in it!
Yes! There has to be something interesting going on for me to enjoy a salad! If I keep up the habit, I’m going to have to work on finding some favorite dressings. Until then, avocados are in season at least 🙂
Wow…I’m impressed with that fajita plate…they usually end up coming out with something that looks like dog food (even if it DOES taste good!).
I love that you ate from the same bowl all weekend! Haha! Seriously, curry chicken salad is the BEST! I love throwing in some dried cranberries too! And my favorite quick salad…tuna mixed with salsa! I usually have it over rice and go “burrito bowl” style! 😀
Right? Fajitas are always delicious, but aren’t always pretty. I was kinda floored with how fresh and light this was when it came out–I mean, REAL slices of avocado on the side! And from a fabulously hole-in-the-wall place at that.
please come visit me and make me these awesome salad combos for me??? Ill repay you in whatever your little heart desires!!
Hey, as long as I get a trip to Kuwait out of it, I’ll come be your salad-maker for free 🙂
Deal!