Garden State Salad Recipes

CONTEST-WINNING GARDEN STATE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk the first nine ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour., In a large salad bowl, combine the lettuce, carrots, celery, onions, tomatoes and cucumber. Just before serving, whisk dressing and pour over salad; toss to coat.

SUNNY'S EASY GRILLED GARDEN STATE SALAD

Steps:

• For the pork roll and corn: Preheat the grill to 400 degrees F.
• Mix the honey and liquid smoke in a small bowl. Brush on both sides of the pork roll. Brush the corn on all sides with the olive oil. Place the pork roll slices and corn on the grill above the direct heat, flipping the pork once when a peek beneath reveals grill marks, 3 to 5 minutes total, and rolling the corn occasionally to get some charred kernels, about 10 minutes total. Let cool enough to handle, then chop the pork into cubes small enough to fit on your fork with the other ingredients, like corn and tomato. Cut the kernels of corn off the cobs and discard the cobs. Add the pork and corn kernels to a large bowl.
• For the dressing: Combine the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, cilantro, thyme, garlic, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a small jar with a lid or in small bowl. Shake or whisk until combined.
• For the salad: Add the chopped tomatoes to the bowl with the chopped pork roll and corn. Drizzle over the dressing and gently toss. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro and thyme.

ALMOST-FAMOUS GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all the dressing ingredients and 1 to 2 tablespoons water in a blender or food processor; puree until smooth.
• Place the salad blend in a large bowl and top with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle with the dressing.
• Photography by Kate Sears

GARDEN SALAD

Steps:

• Wash and dry the lettuce, leaves and herbs. Tear larger leaves into bite-size pieces and tip all the greenery into a large salad bowl.
• Put the garlic, onion, parsley and watercress or rocket into a mini chopper or food processor. Blitz until finely chopped. Add the vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper and blitz briefly. Add the oil and blitz until thickened. Drizzle over the salad and toss until the leaves are just coated. You might not need all the dressing, but it will keep in the fridge for a few days.