Crisp Salad With Spicy Ranch Dressing Recipes

CRISP SALAD WITH SPICY RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Put the thyme sprigs on a foil-lined baking sheet. Line the bacon strips over the top then sprinkle with brown sugar. Transfer to the middle rack of the oven and bake until crisp, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool, then crumble or chop the bacon along with sticky thyme and set aside. In a blender, add the chives, garlic, buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, lemon zest and hot sauce. Blitz until smooth. Taste, then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange the lettuce on serving platter, drizzle with buttermilk dressing, and sprinkle with crumbled bacon before serving.

SUMMER CHOPPED SALAD WITH RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• For the ranch dressing: Smash the garlic clove, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and, with the side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Scrape the paste into a small bowl. Add the mayonnaise, buttermilk, vinegar, chives, parsley and scallions and whisk well to make a creamy dressing. Use immediately or refrigerate in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 days. (Makes about 1 1/3 cups.)
• For the salad: Put the potatoes in a small saucepan with enough cold water to cover and season with salt. Bring to a boil and then simmer, uncovered, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and put in a large bowl.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil and salt it generously. Fill a medium bowl with ice water and salt it as well. Add the corn, beans and broccoli to the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or strainer to scoop out the vegetables and plunge them immediately into the ice water. Drain the vegetables, pat them dry and add to the bowl of potatoes along with the tomatoes and cucumber. Toss the salad with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Taste, and add more salt and pepper if desired. (The salad may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead and refrigerated.)
• When ready to serve, toss the salad with the greens and the sprouts if desired, and with a bit more dressing if you like your salad on the well-dressed side. Pass the remaining dressing at the table.

SPICY RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• Mince the garlic and then add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and mash with the edge of the knife until a paste is formed.
• Add this to a blender with the remaining ingredients. Puree and taste to adjust seasoning.
• Remove and place in a small bowl and refrigerate for 1 hour.

SPICY SPICY RANCH DRESSING

Steps:

• Stir together the ranch-style salad dressing, the two hot pepper sauces, cayenne pepper, and chili powder. Chill for at least one hour.