Spring Veggie Salad With Creamy Avocado Ranch Recipes

GRILLED VEGGIE SALAD WITH AVOCADO RANCH

Steps:

• For the avocado ranch dressing: Add the avocado, buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chives, dill and parsley to the jar of a blender and puree until smooth and bright green. Set aside.
• For the salad: Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle each ear of corn, peppers and green beans with olive oil, then sprinkle with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Add the vegetables to the grill in a single layer. Grill on all sides until char marks begin to appear, a few minutes. Remove vegetables from the grill and set aside. When the corn is cool enough to handle, slice kernels off the cob.
• Put the romaine into a large salad bowl along with the cherry tomatoes, onions, green beans, corn, peppers, 1 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Drizzle all of the dressing over the top and toss until well combined. Sprinkle with more chives, dill and parsley before serving, if desired.

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.