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Explore Recipes Sides & Salads Page 2

Seafood and Avocado Salad

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Pick your own culinary adventure with the seafood you choose for this dish—succulent lobster meat, crabmeat, shrimp, calamari rings, or any combination. I love to serve the seafood in avocado halves, but if you prefer a handheld meal, add avocado cubes to the mix and sandwich it between ciabatta slices that have been lightly toasted or grilled and drizzled with olive oil.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound cooked shellfish
  • 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, plus more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • Coarse sea salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 3 ripe avocados, halved and pitted 

Directions

In a large bowl, mix the shellfish, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olive oil, vinegar, and dill. Taste and season as desired with salt and pepper. Divide the salad among the avocado halves, mounding it high (a large ice cream scoop works well).

Yields 6 servings 

Crispy Potatoes

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

The only trick to this delicious side dish is to not crowd the potatoes—you’ll get better browning and crisping if you leave some space between the slices. Use two rimmed sheet pans if needed.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds red potatoes, scrubbed and dried
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt, more for serving
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 6 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
  • 6 sprigs fresh oregano
  • 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions

Preheat your oven to 425°F. Cut the potatoes into 1/4-inch slices and place in a large bowl. Toss with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic. Spread
out the slices in single layers on rimmed sheet pans. Roast for 30 minutes, flip over the potatoes, and roast for another 30 minutes or until done to your liking. Sprinkle with more salt, the oregano, and the parsley before plating.

Serves 4-6

Asian Mushroom Salad with Ginger Tamari Vinaigrette

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Many home cooks use tamari and soy sauce interchangeably. While similar, production methods differ. Tamari, judged to be richer-tasting and more refined, is made with fermented soybeans while soy sauce is made from soybeans and wheat and is perceived as saltier.

Ingredients

For the mushrooms:

  • 2 pounds mixed mushrooms, such as oyster, king, cremini, maitake, shiitake, portobello, or others
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the vinaigrette and for serving:

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons peeled and grated fresh ginger
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 cups mixed salad greens, such as baby lettuces or baby kale
  • 2 scallions, trimmed, white and green parts sliced thinly on a diagonal Toasted sesame seeds, for garnish (optional; black, white, or a mix)

Directions

Step 1

Wipe the mushrooms clean, trim, and cut into quarters or bite-size pieces. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Drizzle the mushrooms with olive oil and season lightly with salt; stir gently to coat evenly. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Tip the mushrooms into the pan, working in batches if necessary. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are nicely browned and have
given up their liquid. Let cool.

Step 2

In a blender or small food processor, combine the tamari, ginger, garlic, and rice vinegar. Pulse until the mixture is well blended. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil and process until the mixture is emulsified.

Step 3

Dress the greens lightly with the vinaigrette and make a bed in the bottom of a shallow bowl. Lightly dress the mushrooms (still in the skillet) with some of the remaining vinaigrette and arrange on top of the greens. Sprinkle with scallions, and if desired, sesame seeds.

Serves 4

Rainbow Slaw 

Posted on by The Olive Oil Hunter

Move over, mayo! A tangy vinaigrette is a great way to dress a slaw. And what a slaw this is—a colorful feast of fresh veggies enhanced with barley, an ancient grain that’s more versatile than you may think (see “Healthy Ingredient Spotlight” and “For Your Best Health” in this week’s newsletter).

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup uncooked hulled barley 
  • 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon honey 
  • 1/4 cup chopped shallots
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pound head green cabbage, cored
  • 1/2 pound head red cabbage, cored
  • 1/2 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed
  • 2 yellow or red bell peppers, stems and ribs removed
  • 1 red onion, trimmed
  • 3 large carrots, scrubbed and peeled, if needed
  • 1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill, finely chopped 
  • Coarse sea salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Step 1

Prepare the barley according to package directions and set aside to cool. Make the vinaigrette by whisking together the vinegar, mustard, honey, and shallots. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking until the vinaigrette has emulsified. 

Step 2

Grate all the vegetables by hand or machine and toss thoroughly in a very large glass mixing bowl along with the herbs. Add the vinaigrette and toss well again. Taste and add more vinegar, if desired, along with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature but refrigerate any leftovers.

Yields 10 servings