I love a good salad this time of year. Two of my favorites (shown below) are the Smoked Trout & Pear Salad — one of my all time favorite recipes, and the Shaved Asparagus Salad is surprisingly elegant yet super simple. And I’ve shared a few other favorites below.
Spring side salad
Sometimes the smallest twist can make a classic feel brand new, and that’s exactly what happens when you give romaine a quick sear. A little heat softens the edges, adds a hint of smokiness, and turns an everyday Caesar into something a bit more fun. You can do it right in a skillet, or take it outside and grill the romaine instead — perfect as we head into grilling season.
This Spring Side Salad is exactly what you want as we ease out of winter — fresh, crisp, and pairs well with anything from a lunch sandwich to a backyard BBQ.
This Smoked Trout & Pear Salad with crumbles of blue cheese, maple walnuts, and pomegranate seeds is the perfect addition to any holiday meal.
This shrimp Caesar salad is refreshing and delicious! And, bonus if you’re into low carb, no croutons — instead a frico cheese crisp!
This sort of deconstructed iceberg wedge salad uses steak in place of bacon. Also, I recommend using a home made salad dressing which makes a big difference! Find it in the Ingredients Section below.
Spring always inspires a salad like this—crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, cool cucumber, and those tangy pickled onions that wake everything up. The shredded chicken makes it a full, satisfying meal, while feta adds that salty pop and roasted pine nuts bring the perfect toasty crunch. It’s colorful, fresh, and exactly what you want when the season starts to shift.
My new take on Caprese Salad is an adaptation from our favorite Tahoe local Italian restaurant: Capisce? Everything is bigger! Big slices of fresh tomato, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil… yum!
This Tuna Tartare Salad is refreshing and delicious with the Chipotle Aioli Dressing.
This lettuce-less salad is a great complement to any main course. Or add some protein and make it your main course. Salmon or shrimp make great toppers.
This delicious, fresh salad is a regular side in our household.
You know I love a perfectly ripe California avocado—like, really love. And with all the new avocado recipes I’ve been developing, it was time to round them up in one place. Enjoy this little celebration of The Amazing Avocado!
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I recently heard about raw shaved asparagus salad and was so intrigued I had to try it for myself. Turns out that while it’s super gourmazy, it’s also incredibly quick to pull together. The balance of flavors — crisp asparagus, Parmesan, dried cranberries, bacon, and a bright lemon vinaigrette — come together in a beautiful, elegant way. This salad makes a fantastic spring side that feels restaurant‑level without the effort.