Herb Nest Salad Recipes

HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Separate 1 large head Bibb lettuce. Combine in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons each of torn basil, dill, parsley and mint. Toss with the juice of 1/2 lemon and 2 tablespoons olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

EGG AND HERB SALAD

Steps:

• To hard-boil the eggs, place in a saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Cover the pan tightly, and turn off the heat. Let sit for 12 minutes. Fill a bowl with ice water, drain the eggs and chill immediately in the ice water.
• Combine the chopped eggs, herbs, celery and red onion in a large bowl, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice, yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard and olive oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss with the egg mixture.
• Line plates or a platter with arugula, top with the egg salad and serve.

BIRD'S NEST EGG SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat egg. Add chow mein noodles and garlic salt; stir to coat. Drop by 1/3 cupfuls onto a greased baking sheet. Using fingers, shape each into a nest; make an indentation in the center of each. Bake at 350° for 11-13 minutes or until set. Cool for 2 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool completely. , In a bowl, combine the first eight egg salad ingredients; mix well. Just before serving, spoon 1/4 cupful into each nest. Serve on a lettuce-lined plate if desired.

SOFT HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Up to a day before serving, wash the herbs and greens: Fill a large bowl or clean sink with plenty of cold water. Immerse the leaves, swish around to loosen any dirt, then gently lift out. Dry in a salad spinner or by spreading them on clean kitchen towels. (If working ahead, refrigerate the dry leaves in sealed plastic bags or containers. Add a paper towel to each bag to absorb excess water.)
• Melt butter in a frying pan until it sizzles. Add almonds. Sauté over low heat, until the almonds are golden and the butter is browned. Lift out almonds and drain on paper towels, reserving butter. (Butter can be kept for 1 day. Melt and cool again before assembling salad.)
• When ready to serve, place greens in a large bowl. Add salt, pepper, chile flakes, almonds, cooking butter, lemon juice and olive oil. Toss gently and season to taste, then serve immediately.

BIRD'S NEST SALAD

Steps:

• Place the egg into a saucepan, and fill with water to cover the egg by 1 inch. Cover the saucepan and bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, remove from the heat and let the egg stand in the hot water for 15 minutes. Pour out the hot water, then cool the egg under cold running water in the sink. Peel and slice once cold.
• Place the lettuce into a salad bowl, and sprinkle evenly with the bell pepper and onion; pour the dressing over top. Pull the sprouts apart , then place on top of the salad into a nest-like shape. Season the egg slices with salt and pepper to taste, and arrange in the center of the nest with the honey-glazed almonds.

HERB SALAD

Steps:

• In a blender or food processor, combine the vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until well mixed. With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Set aside.
• In a large bowl combine the herbs, arugula, and fennel. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss the salad with enough dressing to coat. Sprinkle with edible flowers and serve.

ALL-STAR HERB SALAD

Steps:

• In a large, shallow salad bowl, whisk together the vinegars and salt. Whisk in the oil and pepper. Taste for seasoning. Add all the herb leaves and toss to evenly coat the greens with the dressing. Taste for seasoning. Serve in small portions as an accompaniment to roast chicken or grilled or poached fish.
• Variation:
• The dressed salad can also be placed-open-face-sandwich fashion-on top of grilled bread that has brushed with olive oil.

HERB SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil and lemon juice until combined; season with salt and pepper. Add parsleys, mint, and lettuce. Toss to combine.

TWO BEAN & HERB SALAD

Steps:

• Use metal tongs to hold the onion over hot coals or char in a hot griddle pan until just blackened all over. Leave to cool completely, then peel away the outer blackened layer and finely chop the rest of the onion. You can also simply finely chop the onion without charring it first, if you prefer.
• Cook the beans in a pan of boiling salted water for 4-5 mins until just cooked, with a slight snap. Drain and tip into a bowl with the onion, cannellini beans, olive oil and lemon juice. Season well, toss everything together and set aside until needed. This can be prepared several hours ahead and chilled. Stir in the herbs just before serving.

NESTS FILLED WITH SUMMER SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Gently pull apart shredded wheat into strands and small pieces; transfer to a large bowl. Add flour and Parmesan cheese; season with salt and pepper. Toss. Add melted butter, and toss.
• Lightly coat 6 cups of a 12-cup standard muffin tin with cooking spray. Press about 1/4 cup shredded-wheat mixture into each of the 6 cups, pressing up around sides to form a nest. Bake until nests begin to turn golden brown, 8 to 9 minutes. Let cool completely in tin. To unmold, gently twist nests in cups, and then carefully pull up. Nests can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days before you fill them with vegetables.
• Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil; add salt. Cook beans until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Drain, and pat dry with paper towels. Cut beans into 1-inch pieces. Transfer to a large bowl. Add tomatoes and mozzarella; toss. The vegetable mixture can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 1 day.
• Just before serving, whisk together vinegar and oil in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Toss vegetable mixture with the vinaigrette. Transfer nests to serving plates. Fill with salad, dividing evenly.