Best Country Salad Recipes

COUNTRY SALAD (LIDIA BASTIANICH)

Steps:

• Fill a pot or saucepan with 3 quarts water, and heat it to boiling.
• Tear off any tough leaves at the base of the cauliflower and cut out the core; break or cut the large branches in to small florets, drop them into the boiling water, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Lift from water, and drain well in a colander; when cool, put the florets in a large bowl.
• As soon as the cauliflower is out of the pot, return the water to a boil and drop in the potatoes; cook them at a gentle boil just until a knife blade pierces the center easily--don't let them get mushy.
• Drain and briefly cool the potatoes; peel them while still warm, cut into 1/4-inch dice, and put them in the serving bowl with the cauliflower.
• Peel and core the apples; cut into 1/4-inch dice, and add to the salad bowl.
• Trim the radishes, quarter them in wedges, and drop into the bowl along with the diced onion, cubes of Asiago, and toasted walnuts.
• Sprinkle the salt over the salad pieces and toss; drizzle the olive oil and vinegar over the salad and toss; sprinkle on the parsley and toss once more, and serve.

COUNTRY POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the first 11 ingredients. Set aside. Combine dressing ingredients; pour over potato mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

AMISH POTATO SALAD FROM COOK'S COUNTRY (AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN)

Steps:

• COOK POTATOES Bring potatoes, 1 tablespoon salt, and enough water to cover by 1 inch to boil in large pot over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until potatoes are just tender, about 10 minutes.
• PREPARE DRESSING While potatoes simmer, microwave vinegar and sugar in small bowl until sugar dissolves, about 30 seconds. Process vinegar mixture, mustard, 1 hard-cooked egg yolk (reserve white), celery seed, and ½ teaspoon salt in food processor until smooth. Transfer to medium bowl.
• SEASON POTATOES Drain potatoes thoroughly, then transfer to large bowl. Drizzle 2 tablespoons dressing over hot potatoes and, using rubber spatula, gently toss until evenly coated. Refrigerate until cooled, at least 30 -minutes, stirring gently once to redistribute dressing.
• ASSEMBLE Whisk sour cream into remaining dressing. Add remaining hard-cooked eggs and egg white to dressing and, using potato masher, mash until only small pieces remain. Add dressing and celery to cooled potatoes. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 -minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve. (Salad can be refrigerated in airtight container for 2 days.).

TEXAS COUNTRY POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook bacon until crispy, drain and crumble.
• Reserve a tablespoon of the bacon drippings.
• Place potatoes in a large saucepan, cover with cold water, add reserved bacon grease, some salt and cook until potatoes are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
• Drain and let cool, then cut into bite size pieces.
• Mix together mayonnaise, mustard, salt and pepper for dressing in a separate bowl.
• Mix together potatoes, green onion and egg and toss with dressing.
• Add bacon and chill until serving time.

CLASSIC CAESAR SALAD(COOK'S COUNTRY)

Steps:

• 1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk oil and garlic in large bowl; reserve 1/4 cup. Toss bread with remaining oil mixture and season with salt and pepper. Bake bread on rimmed baking sheet until golden, about 20 minutes. Cool completely.
• 2. Process mayonnaise, grated Parmesan, anchovy (if using), lemon juice, vinegar, Worcestershire, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in blender until smooth. With machine running, pour in reserved oil and process until thoroughly incorporated.
• 3. Toss romaine, shredded Parmesan, and dressing in large bowl. Add croutons and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

ANTIPASTO PASTA SALAD, FROM COOK'S COUNTRY RECIPE - (4.2/5)

Steps:

• 1. Place one paper towel on microwave-safe plate. Arrange pepperoni in single layer on paper towel. Cover with another paper towel and layer sopresatta on towel. Top with another paper towel and microwave on highest power until meat begins to render fat, about 1 minute. Set meat aside. 2. Whisk 5 tablespoons vinegar (1/2 of the 10 tablespoons in the ingredient listing), olive oil, mayonnaise, pepperoncini juice, garlic, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl. 3. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta and cook until al dente. Drain pasta, return to pot, and toss with 1/2 cup dressing and remaining vinegar. Adjust seasonings, spread dressed pasta on rimmed baking sheet, and refrigerate until chilled, about 30 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, bring remaining dressing to simmer in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook until they release their juices and are lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer to large bowl and cool. 5. Add meat, provolone, roasted red peppers, chopped pepperoncini, basil, and cooled pasta to mushrooms and toss well. Season with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature. Salad can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. NOTE: We loved this salad, but thought it tasted best eaten the same day it was made. The mushrooms are amazing, and I would double them, or even make just the mushrooms as a great appetizer/snack.

COUNTRY COTTAGE POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place the potatoes into a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry for a minute or two. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, slice about 1/4 inch thick; refrigerate until cool.
• Spread about 1/2 cup of mayonnaise on the bottom and up the sides of a large salad bowl. Place half the potato slices into the salad bowl in a layer. Generously season with salt and black pepper. Sprinkle half the green onions over the potatoes; layer half the cottage cheese and half of the remaining mayonnaise. Repeat layers and end with mayonnaise; spread the mayonnaise over the salad to seal in the layers.
• Sprinkle black pepper over the top of the salad, and cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight. Toss well before serving.

SMOKED TURKEY AND COUNTRY HAM SALAD SANDWICH

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients; taste salad.
• Carefully season to taste (if needed) with salt and pepper--country ham is plenty salty so you may not need any salt.
• Cover and refrigerate for several hours.
• Spread about 1 cup salad on bottom half of toasted rolls; top with a few crisp lettuce leaves, cover with roll tops and serve.

COUNTRY HAM AND POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in medium pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 6 minutes. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons cooking liquid.
• Whisk cream, mustard and reserved potato cooking liquid in large bowl to blend. Add potatoes to dressing and toss to coat. Refrigerate until slightly cooled, about 5 minutes. Mix ham, onion and celery into salad. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper.
• Arrange tomato slices on plates. Spoon salad atop tomatoes.

HILL COUNTRY POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook potatoes, in boiling water and 1 teaspoon salt, until tender, about 35 minutes.
• Drain potatoes, then peel and dice or partially mash.
• Fry bacon in a skillet until crisp; add onions and saute until softened, but not browned.
• In a bowl, combine cornstarch or flour, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper; stir in the vinegar and water until smooth.
• Add mixture to bacon and simmer and stir until thickened.
• Pour the hot dressing over the potatoes and add 1/4 cup minced onion, parsley, celery seeds, and radishes; lightly toss.
• Garnish with celery leaves.

COUNTRY-STYLE SMASHED POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in boiling water in saucepan 10 to 15 min. or until very tender; drain well. Transfer to large bowl; cool 5 min. Meanwhile, chop 3 eggs; slice remaining egg.
• Add chopped eggs, onions, celery, radishes and relish to potatoes; mix lightly. Mix dressing and vinegar. Add to potato mixture; mix well.
• Sprinkle with paprika; top with egg slices.

SEASONAL COUNTRY SALAD WITH SPICED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Make the spiced walnuts:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, spices, and salt. Toast the walnuts lightly on a sheet pan in the oven, for about 4-5 minutes. While the nuts are toasting, heat the spiced sugar in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. When the sugar just begins to melt around the edges, toss in the warm nuts, straight from the oven. Shake the pan vigorously over the burner until all the nuts are coated in sugar - it will cling in somewhat uneven patches, but that is the effect I like. Pour the nuts onto a plate or baking sheet to cool - don't be tempted to try one until they have really cooled down, since sugar at this temperature will give you a burned tongue to remember!
• Make your salad:
• Toss the salad greens with the spiced walnuts and the vinaigrette and top with a generous slice of ham and 1 ounce of cheese per person, according to the seasons (see Weighing Your Options).
• Weighing your options:
• Spring: Grilled Asparagus with Serrano Ham and Maytag Blue Cheese (to grill asparagus, blanch the asparagus to halfway tender, brush with a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill until lightly brown)
• Summer: Fresh Black Mission Figs with Smithfield Ham and Aged Goat Cheese
• Fall: Lightly Roasted Seckel Pears with Pecorino Romano and Prosciutto
• Winter: Blood Oranges and Fennel with Feta and Prosciutto

COUNTRY RICE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine all dressing ingredients; stir in milk if desired. Set aside. , In a large salad bowl, combine all salad ingredients. Pour dressing over rice mixture; gently toss to coat. Add milk if desired. Chill several hours before serving. Garnish with parsley and cherry tomatoes. Serve with a slotted spoon.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Wash potatoes, then halve and quarter, skin on. boil until they are almost soft. you want them to have texture.
• 2. Dice all of the bacon into 1/4 inch pieces. Fry crispy, set aside on a paper towel to cool.
• 3. Wash green onions and dice whole bunch into 1/4 inch pieces. Set aside.
• 4. When potatoes are done. Strain and remove half into a large mixing bowl. empty whole jar of mayo (Yes, all of it) into bowl with the bacon, mustard, green onion, and black pepper. Whip smooth. After you have done that fold in gently the rest of the potatoes to give a good texture. Chill and serve. You can garnish with bacon if desired.

FRENCH COUNTRY SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Whisk champagne vinegar, mustard, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add oil, whisking until emulsified. Stir in walnuts. Season with pepper. Set aside.
• Stir onions, balsamic vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a skillet; season with pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions have absorbed most of the liquid, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain. Let onions cool.
• Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add apple; cook, flipping once, until just beginning to brown and soften, 1 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from heat; set aside.
• To serve, arrange 2 slices of ham on each of 4 plates. Toss lettuce with dressing; divide among plates. Arrange cheese and apple slices on top, evenly dividing among plates. Garnish each plate with 2 onions. Serve with bread.

APPLE COUNTRY CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, orange juice, apple jelly and lemon juice.
• Add cut chicken, celery and apples. Toss to coat all pieces.
• Season with salt and chill until ready to serve.
• Sprinkle with chopped walunts to garnish and add crunch.

GREEK COUNTRY SALAD

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, pepper and onion. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar and seasoning. Drizzle over salad and toss to coat. Chill until serving. Just before serving, sprinkle with cheese. Serve with bread.

MAPLE COUNTRY APPLE SALAD WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Beat mustard, syrup, vinegar and oil with wire whisk until well blended; set aside.
• Mix fruit and celery in large bowl. Add mustard mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Divide salad greens evenly among six salad plates. Top with fruit mixture, cheese and walnuts.

KENNY ROGERS' COUNTRY CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients except almonds and mix lightly.
• Chill.
• When serving, garnish with almonds, if desired.

VERMONT COUNTRY SALAD

Steps:

• To prepare the vinaigrette, combine the syrup, vinegar, mustard, and garlic in a small bowl.
• Add the oil in a steady stream, whisking constantly.
• Season with the salt and pepper and set aside.
• Place the bacon in one layer in a skillet and set over medium heat.
• Cook, turning once or twice, until crispy, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Transfer to paper towel and let cool slightly.
• Crumble.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the greens, cheddar cheese, croutons and the bacon.
• Pour the vinaigrette over the top and toss to combine.
• Place a neat mound on each plate and serve immediately.