Best 2 Contest Winning Garden State Salad Recipes

Welcome to the world of culinary excellence, where flavors dance on your palate and creativity knows no bounds! In this article, we embark on a delectable journey to discover the secrets behind the "contest-winning garden state salad." Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a symphony of fresh, vibrant ingredients handpicked from the heart of the garden. Let's explore the art of crafting a salad that will leave your guests in awe and make you the star of any potluck gathering.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

CONTEST-WINNING GARDEN STATE SALAD

Contest-Winning Garden State Salad image

New Jersey is the Garden State, so I enjoy preparing this vegetable salad using some of my state's best products.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 20m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

3 tablespoons cranberry juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon honey
2 green onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
SALAD:
1 medium head iceberg lettuce, shredded
2 medium carrots, shredded
2 celery ribs, chopped
2 green onions, thinly sliced
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 small cucumber, sliced

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.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 116 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 132mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 2g protein.

SUNNY'S EASY GRILLED GARDEN STATE SALAD

Sunny's Easy Grilled Garden State Salad image

Provided by Sunny Anderson

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
Two 1-inch slices pork roll
2 ears corn
Olive oil, for brushing
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon deli mustard
1 teaspoon chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish
2 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped and chopped, plus extra for garnish
1 clove garlic, grated on a rasp
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 beefsteak tomatoes, seeded and chopped
Chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

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.

Tips:

Use fresh, seasonal ingredients: This will ensure that your salad has the best flavor and texture.
Don't be afraid to experiment: There are many different ways to make a garden state salad, so feel free to add or remove ingredients to suit your taste.
Make it a meal: A garden state salad can be a light lunch or dinner, especially if you add some protein, such as grilled chicken or tofu.
Make it ahead of time: Garden state salad is a great make-ahead dish, so you can enjoy it all week long.
Pack it for lunch: A garden state salad is a healthy and portable lunch option.
Serve it as a side dish: A garden state salad is a great side dish for grilled meats or fish.
Garnish it with fresh herbs: Fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, or thyme, will add a pop of flavor and color to your salad.
Use a light dressing: A light dressing will allow the flavors of the salad to shine through.
Don't overdress the salad: Too much dressing will weigh down the salad and make it soggy.
Let the salad rest before serving: This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.

Conclusion:

The garden state salad is a versatile and delicious dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It's a great way to use up fresh, seasonal ingredients and it's also a healthy and portable meal option. So next time you're looking for a light and refreshing salad, give the garden state salad a try.

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