Nancy's Salad but Make it Spanish

I written about how I’ve made this recipe many, many times and about how I make it slightly different way every single time — in the fall and winter I use roasted red peppers instead of tomatoes, I frequently added artichokes, experimented with other Italian cheeses, omitted onions, made the vinaigrette, not made the vinaigrette, added cucumbers, carrots, and other things I’ve had on hand, and used dramatically less than 1/2 of pound of cheese and salami. Oh and I always crisp the chickpeas. None of this matters; it’s amazing every time. This salad as is or as a jumping off point is, obviously, a genius recipe.

This time, I did something totally brand new, I made it with Spanish chorizo and manshego and I roasted the chick peas for 20 minutes at 400 degrees with a generous sprinkling of garlic powder, smoked pimentón paprika, and sweet pepper paprika, and I added artichokes, and so yeah, I’m sure you’ll be shocked to hear that it was delicious!

Approximate quantities: 2 head of little gem lettuce, roughly chopped; 2 heads of Belgian Endive, leaves separated; 1 large carrot, sliced into thin disks; 1 pint of cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered, depending on their size; equal amounts chorizo and manshego, I used about 4 ounces of each, julienned; a 1 16-ounce can of chickpeas, sprinkled with garlic powder, smoked pimentón paprika, and sweet pepper paprika, and crisped in a skillet or on a sheet pan; and about 8 ounces of artichoke hearts, quartered drizzled with olive oil, red or white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper

Serves two as a main.

A Nigella-ish Salad

I set out to make a Greek-ish Salad, I was ended up making a Nigella-ish Salad: A mix of lettuce, raw and grilled vegetables, and her moonblush tomatoes and halloumi bites.

Approximate quantities: 1 head of red romaine lettuce, roughly chopped; 3 medium carrots, sliced into thin disks; 2 kirby cucumbers, cut lengthwise cut lengthwise into thin spears, then into 1-inch segments; 2 Italian artichokes, quartered or cut into eighths, depending on their size; 1 grilled red bell pepper, roughly chopped; kernels of 1 ear of grilled corn; about a half of a pint of moonblush tomatoes; and about 6 slices of crisped halloumi drizzled with salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice

Serves 2 as a main.

End of Summer Veggies and Parmesan Salad

Approximate quantities: 1 head of butter lettuce, roughly chopped; 1/2 pint or about 16 sungold cherry tomatoes, halved; 2 carrots, sliced into thin disks; 6 radishes, sliced into thin disks; 2 Kirby cucumbers, sliced into thin disks; 8–10 artichokes hearts, halved or quartered; 15 or so ribbons of Parmesan cheese drizzled with olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, and pepper

Serves 4 as a side.

Nancy’s Salad

I don’t know that I have ever actually faithfully followed this recipe. I make this salad a slightly different way every single time — in the fall and winter I use roasted red peppers instead of tomatoes, I’ve added artichokes, experimented with other Italian cheeses, omitted onions, made the vinaigrette, not made the vinaigrette, added cucumbers, carrots, and other things I’ve had on hand, and used dramatically less than 1/2 of pound of cheese and salami. Oh and I always crisp the chickpeas. None of this matters; it’s amazing every time. This salad as is or as a jumping off point is, obviously, a genius recipe.

Approximate quantities: 1 head of butter lettuce, roughly chopped; 1 large carrot, sliced into thin disks; 2 medium heirloom tomatoes, roughly chopped; 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced; 1 small red onion or spring onion; thinly sliced; 2 Kirby cucumbers, sliced into thin disks; 8 pepperocini, roughly chopped; equal amounts aged provolone and sopressata, julienned; and 1 16-ounce can of chickpeas, crisped in a skillet or on a sheet pan drizzled in olive oil, red or white wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and dried oregano

Serves two as a main.

Pasta Salad

So, yeah, pasta salad is frequently gross and rarely salad. What I like to do is toss a combination of vegetables and herbs together in salt and vinaigrette for a few hours before eating and then, just before serving, I cook the pasta, drain it, and toss it hot with the vegetables and add olive oil, lemon juice, more vinaigrette, maybe cheese to bring it together — I find this makes a really delicious, fresh, refreshing pasta salad.

The Kitchen Sink Pasta Salad

Approximate quantities: 3 Kirby cucumbers, cut lengthwise into thin spears, then into 1-inch segments; 3 medium carrots, sliced into thin disks; 1 pint of grape tomatoes, quartered; kernels of 2 ears of grilled corn; a 16 ounce can of chickpeas, quickly crisped in olive oil, salt, pepper, and cured sumac; 6 radishes, sliced into think disks; 8 ounces of penne, cooked al dente; 10 artichoke hearts, quartered; greens from 4-6 scallions, finely chopped; about 1/4 cup dill-and-lemon infused mustard vinaigrette

Grilled Peppers, Artichoke Hearts, and Tomatoes

Approximate quantities: 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped; 3 Kirby cucumbers, sliced into thin discs; two grilled yellow bell peppers, roughly chopped; 14-16 artichoke hearts, quartered; 2-4 tablespoons of fresh dill fronds; greens from 4-6 scallions, finely chopped; and dill-lemon-infused vinegar or lighter vinegar, like white wine or apple cider, and then juice of 1 lemon; and then one pound of pasta, olive olive, Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste

Chickpeas, Cucumbers, and Tomatoes

Approximate quantities: 2 Kirby cucumbers, sliced into thin discs; 1 pint of grape tomatoes, halved; greens from 4-6 scallions, finely chopped; and a 16 ounce can of chick peas; 1 teaspoon of cured sumac, lemon-and-garlic-infused-mustard vinaigrette or lighter vinegar, like white wine or apple cider, and then juice of 1 lemon; and then one pound of pasta, olive olive, Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste

Another Greek-ish Salad

Approximate quantities: 1/4 of a head of purple cabbage, finely chopped; 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced; 1 pint of grape tomatoes; quartered; 3 medium carrots, sliced into thin discs; 8-10 artichoke hearts; 2 can of chickpeas; and feta cheese drizzled with lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt and pepper

Serves four as a side.

A Late Summer Side Salad

Approximate quantities: 6 Kirby cucumbers, cut lengthwise into thin spears, then into 1-inch segments;4 black cherry tomoatoes, halved; 3 artichokes, halved; 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced; 1 Casady’s Folly plum tomoato, sliced into thin creseants; drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste

Serves four as a side or two as a main with lemon-parsley-feta rice.

A Fancy and Beautiful Tomato, Cucumber, Carrot Salad

Inspired by Sarah Jampel’s Fancy and Beautiful Tomato Salad!

Approximate quantities: 1 large tomato, cut into 12-16 wedges; 8-10 ounces of mixed cherry tomatoes, quartered; 3 carrots, sliced into thin discs; 1 English cucumber, cut lengthwise into thin spears, then into 1-inch segments; 3-4 ounces of feta cheese, roughly chopped; 4 artichokes, quartered, 2 cups of pita chips; 1 tablespoon of harissa, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, pepper, and the juice of half of a lemon

Chop all of the vegetables and add to salad bowl

Mix harissa and olive oil together in large mixing bowl and mix together with a fork until well-combined, add 2 cups of pita chips and mix well to coat all of the chips in the harissa and oil (or if you bowl has a lid, put the lid on and shake vigorously enough to coat the chips)

Add the chips and any remaining harissa and oil to the salad bowl mix to combine and dress with lemon juice, salt, and pepper

Served two as a main.

A Total Mishmash That Totally Works

When I was chopping last night, first I thought, it will be another I Grilled All Weekend and I’ve Got Leftover Salad, and then I thought, no probably more Greek Salad with corn, or maybe, Cacio e Pepe Corn on the Cob Salad? And then I thought, Is this going to be really weird together? Turns out, it’s not.

Approximate quantities: 1 head romaine, roughly chopped; 2 kirby cucumbers, roughly chopped; 12 ounces grilled chicken, roughly chopped; 12 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed, ends trimmed, and cut lengthwise; kernels of 1 ear of grilled corn; 6 artichokes, quartered; drizzled with olive oil, Cholula’s chili lime, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper

Serves 2 as a main.

Mediterranean Salad with Halloumi Croutons

Approximate quantities: 1 head of lettuce, roughly chopped; 2 large carrots, sliced into thin discs; 3 Persian cucumber, sliced into thin discs; 2 large marinated artichokes, sliced cross-wise; roasted red peppers, roughly chopped; and 6-8 sliced of pan-fried halloumi a la Nigella drizzled with Tuscan herb olive oil, citrus vinegar, lemon, salt, and pepper

Serves four as a side and two as a main.