A Salad For All Seasons Recipes

GRILLED PORK AND PEACH SALAD

Steps:

• Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced ginger, minced garlic, cayenne, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and white pepper in a pint-sized jar with a lid. Place the lid on the jar and shake the ingredients until well blended. Taste and adjust seasoning, if desired. Place container in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• Clean grates of an outdoor grill and preheat to medium-high, about 10 minutes, or as the manufacturer recommends.
• When grill is ready, grease grates using tongs to hold a paper towel saturated with vegetable oil.
• While the grill is heating, combine smoked paprika, granulated garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
• Sprinkle both sides of pork slices with dry spice mixture and allow to stand at room temperature until the grill is ready.
• Place seasoned pork slices on the grill and do not touch for about 2 minutes. Using tongs, flip the slices and continue to grill until grill marks form and the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F (62 degrees C), an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the grill and set aside.
• Place peach slices across the grate and grill until grill marks form, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Add to the reserved grilled pork slices.
• Make a bundle of kale leaves and slice across into 1/8-inch slices. Place sliced kale and carrots in a large mixing bowl. Add grilled pork slices and grilled peaches, and toss with desired amount of dressing (see note).
• Arrange salad on plates, and sprinkle 1/4 cup blueberries on each plate.

ARMENIAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Transfer sliced potatoes into a large pot with enough cold water to cover the potatoes by a couple of inches. Stir in 1 rounded tablespoon kosher salt and 2 ½ teaspoons dried mint. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and let cook until tender, about 15 minutes, checking every 5 to 6 minutes for doneness. Drain well.
• Transfer cooked potatoes to a large mixing bowl and let cool slightly.
• While potatoes cool, heat ¼ cup olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add red onion, red bell pepper, garlic, and a pinch of salt; cook and stir for just 1 minute. Turn off the heat and stir in remaining dried mint.
• Drizzle freshly squeezed lemon juice into potatoes and toss gently with a spatula. Add green onions, red onion mixture, remaining olive oil, fresh mint, fresh parsley, salt to taste, black pepper, chili flakes, and cayenne. Mix with a spatula until combined.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled and flavors have melded, 3 to 4 hours.
• Unwrap; stir, taste, and adjust seasonings as needed to personal tastes. The salad almost always needs more salt stirred in once it's tasted after being chilled. Serve.