Category Archives: Salads

Elotes and Pineapple Salad , Ensalada de Elotes con Piña

This is our favorite Summer Salad, Elotes Salad or Mexican Street corn Salad with pineapple. It’s basically Mexican Street Corn that you can eat with a spoon rather than digging into a whole corn on the cob covered with Cotija, paprika etc…which can be a challenge, except that I have added some grilled pineapple.
This is a great salad to serve at your next Barbeque, or as we like to do, add it to Tacos and even pile it high on Burgers. So SO good!
It’s very simple, you start by grilling corn and fresh pineapple and once they are cooled you cut off the kernels carefully with a sharp knife, then toss together with the pineapple chunks in a simple dressing.

Prep time : 15 min
Cooking time : 10 min
Serves : 6

INGREDIENTS:

6 ears of Corn
1/3- 1/2 of a fresh pineapple, peeled and sliced thick-ish (see note*)
2 scallions, sliced
1 small red onion, peeled and chopped fine
1 small red chili pepper, deseeded and chopped fine
½ cup crumbled Cotija cheese (see note**)
½ cup coarsely chopped cilantro, more for on top

Dressing:

½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup crème fraiche
Juice of 1 lime, or more according to taste
A few dashes of Tabasco ( or Franks hot sauce)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika, more for on top
Salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat (an outdoor) grill or grill pan to medium heat. Clean your corn if necessary and rub all over with a little oil. Place on the grill and cook for about 10 minutes, turning every few minutes. Do the same with the Pineapple slices. Remove them once cooked from the grill and let them cool.
Meanwhile mix mayonnaise, crème fraiche, lime juice, tabasco and paprika together in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Cut the kernels off the cob, and cut the pineapple slices into bite-size pieces
Get out a pretty bowl and combine everything… the corn, pineapple, onion, scallions, chili peppers, Cotija cheese, cilantro, and dressing. Reserve some cilantro and Cotija to sprinkle on top.

Enjoy!

* Any left-over Pineapple is great grilled and then served with ice-cream as a dessert.
** If you can’t find Cotija, I think that Feta resembles it most, it has a similar texture and taste.

If you make this Elotes salad, be sure to leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you and if you love it, pin it. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! @thecookingspoonblog or hashtag it #thecookingspoonblog

Broccoli Salad

3 Replies

With Summer on its way, it’s great to have lots of salad recipes on hand. This Broccoli salad is so colorful and fun to make, and obviously fantastic to eat. The great thing about this particular salad is that you can even make it a day in advance, it holds up really well, making it perfect for Bbq’s and Picnics.

It’s very simple to make, start by soaking the cranberries in warm water.
Then you caramelize the pecan nuts with the butter and sugar.
As these cool, you steam the broccoli florets for just 3 minutes in the microwave. You rinse them under cold water and drain.
The rest of the ingredients are then added and tossed with the delicious simple dressing.

⏰ Prep time : 15 minutes
🍝 Cooking time : 15 minutes
🍴 Serves : 4 as a side dish or 2 as a main course

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 large head of Broccoli, cut into florets
• 1/2 cup of pecans
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup pomegranate arils, reserve some to scatter on top before serving
• 4 oz. chopped cooked ham
• 4 oz. grated aged cheddar, coarsely grated or finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. chopped chives
• 2 tbsp. chopped parsley, (1 tbsp. goes in and the other on top)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• a good squeeze of lime juice
• 2-3 tbsp. milk
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Start by soaking the cranberries in warm water.
2. Then heat a small pan on medium heat and melt the butter. Add the Pecans, salt and the tablespoon of sugar.
3. Keep stirring until sugar is caramelizing and the nuts are golden.
4. Transfer to a plate lined with a piece of parchment paper and make sure to separate the nuts or they will form clusters.
5. Steam the broccoli florets for three minutes, rinse under cold water and drain very well.
6. For the dressing mix the sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, lime juice, sugar and season with salt and pepper.
7. Drain the cranberries and pat dry with kitchen paper.
8. Toss all the remaining ingredients over the broccoli and mix carefully.
9. Add the dressing and toss again.
10. Place all on top of some salad leafs on a big platter to serve.
11. Sprinkle with the pomegranate arils and some parsley.

ENJOY!
MYRA

Bbq Honey Chicken Tenders Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

5 Replies

Let’s celebrate Spring in full glory with this amazing refreshing salad. It’s super easy to make and you can easily substitute the chicken with some succulent Shrimp or any other protein you like.

INGREDIENTS COBB SALAD:

1 lb. chicken tenders
2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
¼ cup bbq sauce
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp. olive oil for frying
1 head of lettuce
2 red bell peppers
20 cherry tomatoes (more or less)
2 -4 hard boiled eggs
1 small can of corn, drained
1 – 2 avocados, peeled and stone removed
1/3 cup olives
handful baby carrots

GREEN GODDESS DRESSING:

1 avocado, peeled and stone removed
½ cup natural yoghurt of choice
½ cup natural sugar free milk of choice
Small handful of fresh Basil* see note
Small handful of fresh Dill* see note
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
A dash of tabasco
Juice of half a lime
¼ cup olive oil
Salt and pepper
½ cup of water or more for the right consistency

INSTRUCTIONS:

First we’ll marinate the chicken, place the chicken tenders in a bowl and season them with the Cajun seasoning , then add the bbq sauce. Mix to combine and cover. Place in the fridge to marinate, overnight if possible but any amount of time is good.
Take out a large plate or platter and arrange a layer of lettuce on it.
Meanwhile wash the peppers and pinch them with a fork all over, put them on a plate and microwave for 6 minutes, remove and cover with foil straight away. This is so the skin will loosen from the peppers. When cool enough to handle pull away all the skin and tear the peppers into strips, place them on the lettuce in a single diagonal row.
Cut the tomatoes in half and arrange in a row on the lettuce
Cut the eggs in quarters and arrange on platter.
Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
For the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a blender, and run until all is smooth. Add the water until you have the desired consistency.
Now heat a non stick frying pan large enough to hold the chicken tenders in one layer and set to high heat.
Add the olive oil and place the tenders in the pan, cook on one side for two minutes and turn. Cook for another two minutes and lower the heat to low.
Cook for another two minutes or until cooked thru, check by pulling a piece open.
Add the tablespoon of honey and stir around so it starts to caramelize. Turn off the heat and place the chicken tenders on the salad right before serving.

Strawberry Grilled Halloumi Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing

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Halloumi or Challoumi or hellim is a semi-hard, unripened, slightly springy brined cheese traditionally made from a mixture of goat’s and sheep’s milk, and sometimes also cow’s milk. It has a high melting point and so can easily be fried or grilled. Originally from Cyprus, Halloumi is generally served during the warmer months with watermelon, due to its refreshing qualities. But pairs beautifully with any kind of fruit. Personally I love it best when grilled. The trick is to grill on high for a very short time, to keep it soft on the inside.
It balances perfectly with anything sweet because of the slight saltyness. Perfect for over a salad.

Prep time : 10 minutes
Cooking time : 2 minutes
Serves : 2-4

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 large bags of prepared salad mix, about 10-14 oz. / 300-400 gr.
• 1 block Halloumi, drained and patted dry
• 1 cup Strawberries, washed, de-crowned and sliced in half
• 1 or two Avocados
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 1/4 cup sliced Spring onions
• 1/4 cup whole Basil leafs
• 1 cucumber, peeled
• 1/2 cup radishes, sliced
• 1 passion fruit, pulp only (optional)

HONEY BALSAMIC DRESSING:

• 4 tablespoons thick balsamic vinegar.
• 2 tablespoons honey.
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
• pinch of salt.
• freshly ground black pepper.
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Get out a large serving platter, plate or salad dish and place all the lettuce leafs in the bowl.
2. Place all the ingredients for the dressing in a jar and shake well to combine. Set aside until ready to use.
3. Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise and again each half in half. Then cut into thick slices, so you end up with thick quarters. Arrange on top of the lettuce leafs.
4. Next divide all the radishes on top of the salad.
5. Scoop out the Avocado using a small spoon and place avocado on the salad.
6. Place the Strawberries on top and arrange all the basil leafs, tucking them in here and there so some are still visible.
7. Heat a griddle pan until hot. Slice the Halloumi into 1/4″ slices (1/2 cm).
8. Put the slices in the griddle pan and grill each side for one minute.
9. Place on top of the salad as soon as them come out of the pan.
10. Scoop the passion fruit pulp over the Halloumi.
11. Sprinkle with pine nuts and spring onion slices and serve straight away with plenty of the Honey Balsamic Dressing.

Enjoy!!
Myra XO