Invited to a Potluck on Saturday Night - What's Your Best Group Friendly Salad Recipe

[Kindra178]

Ten adults. Thanks!

[SnuggleBuggles]

Whatever it is, please don't put blue cheese on it! They did this at the last potluck I attended and I just think it is vile. I tried to scrape it off but couldn't (they served the salad to all Of us otherwise I wouldn't have taken any). Cheese on the side= much better.

[gatorsmom]

Can it be a fruit salad? I always get compliments on this most simple salad. It's very pretty and because of the secret ingredient tastes really yummy! I have played around with different fruits but found that this combo tastes best and last longer. I usually make this for a holiday buffet we do. It's so pretty.

Grand Fruit Salad (all fruit is fresh except the oranges) Makes 12+ servings

One pineapple cut into bite-size pieces
Green grapes (all grapes cut in half if you have time)
Purple grapes
6 kiwi peeled and cut into slices
Canned Mandarin oranges (these taste better than real oranges, imo)
Pound of strawberries cut into bite-sized pieces
8oz container of fresh blueberries

Salad dressing

1/2 cup fresh orange juice (or pure premium)
1/2 cup Cointreau liquor

You can increase the salad dressing as needed. And you can add as little or as many of the grapes you want to increase the servings of your salad.

Hope your party goes well!

[misshollygolightly]

This is my personal favorite:

> 1c uncooked orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
> 1.2 c thinly sliced green onions
> 1.2 c (2 oz) crumbled feta cheese
> 1/4 c chopped fresh dill
> 1 (19-oz) can chickpeas, drained
> 3 T fresh lemon juice
> 1 1/2 T extra-virgin olive oil
> 1 T cold water
> 1/2 tsp salt
> 1/2 tsp bottled minced garlic
>
> 1. cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.
Drain
> and rinse with cold water; drain.
> 2. Combine pasta, onions, cheese, dill and chickpeas in a large bowl,
> tossing gently to combine.
> 3. Combine juice and remaining 4 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring
with
> whisk. Drizzle over pasta mixture, toss gently to coat. Serve chilled or at room temp. Yield: 4 servings
(1
> 1/4c size).

[lmh2402]

my two faves. to beth's point, for second one, if i don't know the group well, than i offer the cheese on the side

you can add grilled chicken or shrimp to either!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/bibb-salad-with-basil-green-goddess-dressing-recipe/index.html

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/missys-candied-walnut-gorgonzola-salad/Detail.aspx

[DietCokeLover]

This is always a hit wherever I take it.

Grape Salad

2 lbs green seedless grapes
2 lbs red seedless grapes
8 ounces sour cream
8 ounces cream cheese , softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract , to taste
Topping Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar , packed, to taste
1 cup crushed pecans , to taste
Directions:
Wash and stem grapes.
Set aside.
Mix sour cream, cream cheese, white sugar and vanilla by hand until blended.
Stir grapes into mixture, and pour in large serving bowl.
For topping: Combine brown sugar, and crushed pecans.
Sprinkle over top of grapes to cover completely.
Chill overnight.

[Tondi G]

I would keep it simple

Caesar Salad

or Green salad

Chop some romaine hearts and add a bag of the herb salad mix from Trader Joes. Chop some cucumber, shredded carrots, red bell pepper and grape tomatoes. I like the balsamic vinaigrette from TJ's.

things you could add

dried cranberries

toasted sliced almonds or pinenuts

fresh pomegranate seeds

Hearts of Palm

feta cheese

Or a pasta salad is always easy and people seem to enjoy it

tri colored spirals, chop red onion, red and green bell peppers (you can add sliced black olive if you like) ... salt and pepper and toss with a simple italian dressing (we use Bernsteins)

I've been meaning to try Pioneer Woman's simple sesame noodles ... I think I would add some sliced red bell pepper

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/08/simple-sesame-noodles/

[Twoboos]

Five bean salad, so good!! And so freakin' easy.

1 can each, drained:
Black Beans
Chick Peas
White Kidney Beans
Red Kidney Beans
One bag (about 1lb) fresh Green beans, cut into about 1in pieces

Add in some fresh cilantro OR fresh mint, plus salt and pepper to taste.

Mix together with one bottle of Brianna's Strawberry Vinaigrette dressing. Serve. Even better if you can refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight.

DELISH!

[wellyes]

Green salad is always a good bet.
If you want a novelty salad- I've said it here before but it bears repeating. Spring Mix + Craisins + Feta + Walnuts + balsamic = YUM.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I swear I must be the only person who doesn't like cheese on a salad. Feta? Blech. Blue? Even blecher. :) Goat cheese? Nope. I swear, I have tried to like them since it seems like everyone else does! If I'm alone, then carry on with cheese mixed in.

[jenmcadams]

My two favorite potluck salads are:

Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/greek-orzo-salad/
I modify this one a bit (often will use bottled greek/italian dressing) and add in some more veggies....also good with shredded chicken

and

Crunchy Napa Cabbage Slaw (from Sunset Magazine)
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2011/03/recipe-for-crunchy-napa-cabbage-asian.html
(I can't find the original recipe, but this one is close)

[Indianamom2]

I swear I must be the only person who doesn't like cheese on a salad. Feta? Blech. Blue? Even blecher. :) Goat cheese? Nope. I swear, I have tried to like them since it seems like everyone else does! If I'm alone, then carry on with cheese mixed in.

Nope, you're not alone. I like shredded cheddar/colby/monterey jack type cheeses on salads....but no soft ones. Icky!

[vludmilla]

Nope, you're not alone. I like shredded cheddar/colby/monterey jack type cheeses on salads....but no soft ones. Icky!
:yeahthat:

[fauve01]

I like this Asian Slaw
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/ramen-coleslaw/

I use much much less sugar in the dressing, like a tsp, but you can do it to taste. Also, don't mix the dressing or ramen noodles til you are about to eat it, or the noodles will soggy. you want them to stay crunchy!

ETA: forgot to say i hate blue cheese too! GAG!! I don't like most cheeses on my salad but do like feta. ;)

[Tondi G]

I swear I must be the only person who doesn't like cheese on a salad. Feta? Blech. Blue? Even blecher. :) Goat cheese? Nope. I swear, I have tried to like them since it seems like everyone else does! If I'm alone, then carry on with cheese mixed in.

I don't really eat cheese in salad. I know a lot of people do like it in salads (my mom and sister love it). I don't each much cheese ... occasionally I'll eat a slice of pizza ... I do love Caprese though ... fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil YUM! I've never been a huge fan of blue cheese or feta cheese. Had some yummy goat cheese on crackers not too long ago though.

[elephantmeg]

I like doing 7 layer salads for pot lucks
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Seven-Layer-Salad/

[Ms B]

Spinach
Blueberries
Sliced fresh strawberries
Raspberries
Walnut halves or chopped walnuts
Feta cheese (on the side if catering to the lactose intolerant)
Serve with Brianna's poppyseed dressing to be added to taste.

Looks great and super easy! You can increase the flavor by toasting the nuts and letting them cool before you add them. You also could swap out fresh peach slices or mandarin oranges for the raspberries to save on cost if they are out of season and slivered almonds or pecan pieces for the walnuts.

[AtlantaMom]

this Greek salad is super yummy, pretty and healthy (although it is more of a summer recipe). I double it if serving a crowd.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Greek-Salad-105279

[scrooks]

I swear I must be the only person who doesn't like cheese on a salad. Feta? Blech. Blue? Even blecher. :) Goat cheese? Nope. I swear, I have tried to like them since it seems like everyone else does! If I'm alone, then carry on with cheese mixed in.

I agree with you...I don't eat any of the cheeses mentioned above...

[urquie]

I swear I must be the only person who doesn't like cheese on a salad. Feta? Blech. Blue? Even blecher. :) Goat cheese? Nope. I swear, I have tried to like them since it seems like everyone else does! If I'm alone, then carry on with cheese mixed in.

:yeahthat::yeahthat: it's not just a preference... and it's not possible to scrape it off or pick it out. I've tried to, to be polite, but gagging gives me away.

Pretty please, put the cheese on the side.

[wellyes]

I think cheese is what makes salad palatable!

Olives, however, ruin anything they touch.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I think that one of the things I first loved about dh's family is that salads are done a la carte. Everything is in individual bowls and you can customize your salad completely. Love it. :)

[jerigirl]

MommyofAmaya's Broccoli Salad posted here
http://windsorpeak.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=397962&highlight=salad

And an alternate version of the ramen coleslaw

Asian Cabbage Salad
Shape Magazine July 1999


2 3oz. pkgs. low fat beef ramen noodle soup (leave dry)
1 16oz. pkg. cabbage slaw or shredded cabbage
¼ cup salted sunflower seeds
1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 ½ cups chopped chives
2 tablespoons hot water
½ cup pineapple juice
5 teaspoons dark sesame oil
½ cup white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar


To make salad, crumble ramen noodles. (Be sure to save one of the flavor packets for the dressing.) In a large bowl, toss together the noodles, cabbage, sunflower seeds, almonds, and chives.

To make the dressing, dissolve one beef flavor packet in the 2 tablespoons hot water. Whisk together the pineapple juice, sesame oil, vinegar, sugar and dissolved beef flavored mixture. Pour over salad. Cover and chill at least one hour, stirring occasionally.