The Only Main Course Salad Recipe You Need to Know 🥗
Overview:
This vibrant main course salad is a medley of flavors and textures that’s both hearty and healthy. With a base of wild rice and pasta shells, combined with crisp vegetables, protein-rich tempeh, and a zesty dressing, it’s a satisfying meal in itself. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile, allowing for endless customization with your favorite ingredients like sweet corn, alfalfa sprouts, or sun-dried tomatoes.
- Recipe Category: Chicken
- Keywords: Poultry, Grains, Soy/Tofu, Beans, Vegetable, Meat, Low Protein, Low Cholesterol, Healthy, < 15 Mins, No Cook, Easy
- Servings: 2
- Calories per Serving: 318.5
- Aggregated Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (based on 1 review)
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 | wild rice |
| 1 | pasta shells |
| 1 | tempeh |
| 1 | carrot |
| 1/2 | celery |
| 2 | fennel |
| – | red bell peppers |
| 1/3 | green bell pepper |
| – | scallions |
| – | eggs |
| – | cheese |
Dressing Ingredients:
- Customize the dressing to your taste, but a simple vinaigrette or a creamy tahini-based dressing works beautifully.
Instructions:
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Preparation: Start by cooking the wild rice and pasta shells according to package instructions until they’re tender yet still firm to the bite. Drain and set aside to cool.
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Prepare Tempeh: While the rice and pasta are cooking, dice the tempeh into bite-sized pieces. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Cook the tempeh until it’s golden brown and slightly crispy on the edges. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
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Chop Vegetables: Finely chop the carrot, celery, fennel, red bell peppers, green bell pepper, and scallions. These veggies add crunch, color, and a range of nutrients to the salad.
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Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked wild rice, pasta shells, sautéed tempeh, chopped vegetables, and any additional ingredients you desire, such as cooked sweet corn, alfalfa sprouts, or sun-dried tomatoes. Toss everything together until evenly distributed.
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Prepare Dressing: Whisk together your chosen dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
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Dress Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to coat everything in the flavorful dressing. Allow the salad to rest for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
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Serve: To serve, arrange a bed of crisp lettuce leaves on plates or in bowls. Spoon the dressed salad over the lettuce, ensuring each portion gets a good mix of grains, vegetables, and tempeh.
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Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian version, simply omit the cooked chicken breasts or salmon and use tempeh or beans instead. The tempeh adds a hearty texture and is packed with plant-based protein, making it a satisfying alternative.
This main course salad is not only delicious but also nutritious, providing a balanced mix of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. It’s perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or a leisurely weekend lunch. Feel free to get creative with the ingredients, making it your own signature salad creation. Enjoy! 🌟
