Some greens that will greet the season of spring and your tastebuds! 

By Paige O’Connor

It can be so easy to lazily throw a few toppings on some lettuce and call that your side of vegetables for the day. But with these simple salad recipes, a salad can be transformed from a plate of greens into a delicious meal that tastes like spring!

Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing:

What’s better than a fruity, refreshing meal to enjoy in the warm weather? Adding strawberries to a salad may seem out of place, but it truly makes for a delectable and easy meal. This recipe is perfect for eating on a picnic, poolside, or anywhere you can welcome the sunny weather. This is an easy recipe that will have you coming back for more! 

Ingredients: 

• ¼ cup of sugar
• ⅓ cup of slivered almonds
• 8 cups of torn romaine
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups of fresh strawberries, sliced
• ¼ cup of mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons of sugar
• 1 tablespoon of sour cream
• 1 tablespoon of 2% milk
• 2 ¼ teaspoons of cider vinegar
• 1 ½ teaspoons of poppy seeds

Directions: 

1. Place sugar in a small heavy skillet and stir over low/medium heat until melted to a caramel color (10 minutes). 
2. Add almonds into the skillet and let sit until coated.
3. Cool almonds on a foil spread
4. Add salad ingredients to bowl
5. Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, cider vinegar, and poppy seeds to make dressing
6. Pour dressing and add almonds over the salad
7. Serve and enjoy!

Shrimp Avocado Salad:

Calling all seafood lovers! This shrimp salad will undoubtedly satisfy your spring palette. Don’t be frightened if you don’t know how to handle shrimp because store-bought shrimp will still make this salad absolutely exquisite. Prepare your chopping skills and enjoy this healthy and yummy dish.

Ingredients: 

• 1 pound of peeled and deveined cooked shrimp, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
• 2 green onions, chopped
• ¼ cup of finely chopped red onion
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• 1 serrano pepper, seeded and minced
• 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, minced
• 2 tablespoons of lime juice
• 2 tablespoons of seasoned rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 teaspoon adobo seasoning
• 3 ripe avocados, peeled and cubed
• 1 lime, sliced into wedges
• 1 bib of lettuce

Directions: 

1. Place dry ingredients in a large bowl 
2. Mix the lime juice, vinegar, oil, and adobo seasoning into the bowl
3. Add in the shrimp
4. Stir
5. Refrigerate covered, allowing flavors to blend (1 hour)
6. Stir avocados into the mixture. 
7. Serve the picture over lettuce or in individual lettuce wraps
8. Place alongside lime wedges
9. Serve and enjoy!

Honey-Pecan Kiwi Salad:

Honey, pecans, and lettuce – this salad is practically just that simple. This salty and sweet salad will taste just as beautiful as the weather. If you want a tasty, quick, and easy plate of greens, then this salad is for you!

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of torn lettuce
• 3 kiwis, peeled and sliced
• ¼ cup of chopped pecans, toasted
• 2 tablespoons of vanilla yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions: 

1. Combine lettuce, kiwi, and pecans in a bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon juice, oil, and honey until smooth. 
3. Add dressing to salad and toss
4. Serve and enjoy!