Best 20 Tuscan Salad Recipes

TUSCAN TOMATO & BREAD SALAD

Steps:

• Place the tomatoes and mozzarella in a large bowl. Put the garlic, mustard, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a 1-cup glass measuring cup and slowly whisk in the 1/2 cup of olive oil. Set aside.
• Heat the remaining 1/3 cup of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan until hot but not smoking. Add the bread cubes and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Saute over medium to medium-high heat for 5 to 8 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the bread is evenly browned and crisp. Add the warm bread to the tomatoes and mozzarella. Add enough of the vinaigrette to moisten all the ingredients. Add the basil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss carefully, adding more vinaigrette if necessary. Serve at room temperature.

GRILLED TUSCAN TUNA SALAD

Steps:

• For the tuna: Remove the tuna from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling. Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high for direct grilling. Mix together the fennel, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
• Brush the tuna with canola oil on both sides and sprinkle with the spice mixture. Grill until charred on both sides and cooked to medium doneness, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into medium dice.
• For the salad dressing: Whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, rosemary, anchovies and garlic in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking, until it all emulsifies. For a sweeter and thicker texture, whisk in a teaspoon of honey at a time, until desired taste and consistency is reached.
• For the salad: Combine the beans, olives, fennel, onion and tuna in a large bowl. Add the dressing and gently toss to coat. Add the greens, basil and parsley , season with salt and pepper, and toss again.
• For serving: Mound the salad on a platter and sprinkle the remaining lemon juice over the top.

COLORFUL TUSCAN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the first 10 ingredients. Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until serving. Stir in basil. Serve with a slotted spoon.

WARM TUSCAN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, saute the onion, green pepper and garlic in oil until tender. Stir in tomato and seasonings; cook 3-4 minutes longer. Add beans; cook and stir until heated through.

TUSCAN SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the green beans and stir. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until beans are slightly tender. Transfer the cooked green beans to a bowl of ice water and let cool for 3 minutes. Drain the green beans.
• In a large bowl, combine the green beans with the lettuce, cannellini beans, olives, and red onion. Toss to combine. Drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Top with shaved Parmesan and serve.

TUSCAN TOSSED SALAD

Steps:

• Place bread cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet; drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Bake at 400° for 5-7 minutes or until lightly toasted. Cool on a wire rack., For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, basil, anchovies, garlic, salt, pepper and remaining oil. In a large bowl, combine the greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, celery, onion and red peppers., In a 3-qt. trifle bowl or deep salad bowl, layer with a third of the bread cubes and a third of the greens mixture; drizzle with a third of the dressing. Repeat layers twice. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

TUSCAN PASTA SALAD WITH GRILLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high. Toss the radicchio, fennel wedges and bell peppers in a large bowl with 1/4 cup olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and grill, turning occasionally, until charred and crisp-tender, about 4 minutes for the peppers and radicchio, 6 minutes for the fennel. Remove from the grill and let cool, then cut into small pieces.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente (about 2 minutes less than the label directs). Drain and rinse under cool water; shake off the excess. Transfer to a serving bowl. Add the grilled vegetables, cannellini beans, the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, the lemon juice, parsley, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste; toss. Add the parmesan shavings and fennel fronds and toss gently. Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered, up to 6 hours. (Bring to room temperature before serving.)

NONNA'S TUSCAN SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Place the mayonnaise, vinegar, water, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, oregano, basil, and black pepper into a blender. Blend for 2 minutes, then pour into a salad dressing container, and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Shake well before using.

TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the beans in water to cover overnight.
• Drain the beans and simmer in water to cover until tender (about 30 minutes).
• Combine the remaining ingredients and toss with the warm beans. Correct seasoning and add more olive oil if necessary. Serve at room temperature.

TUSCAN PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bow-tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
• Combine pasta, tomatoes, Italian dressing, vegan mayonnaise, celery, cucumber, pepperoncini peppers, red onion, banana peppers, olives, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl. Mix until the dressing takes on a creamy consistency and all ingredients are thoroughly coated.
• Season salad with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate, mixing again just before serving.

TUSCAN LEMON CHICKEN WITH WARM BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• If using dry beans, rinse beans and place in bowl.
• Cover with three inches of water; leave to soak overnight or at least eight hours.
• Drain beans.
• Place in large saucepan, coverered with three inches of water.
• Do NOT salt.
• Allow to simmer one to two hours till soft (older beans take longer).
• Drain.
• If using canned beans, empty beans into colander and rinse well with warm water.
• Place chicken in baking dish large enough to accomodate all the pieces.
• A 12" x 9" pan should be adequate.
• Roughly chop five (or more if you love it) cloves of garlic.
• Sprinkle chopped garlic with coarse salt.
• Mash garlic and salt into a paste.
• Rub paste onto chicken pieces; sprinkle with ground pepper.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of oil, 2 tablespoons of rosemary, the grated rind and the sugar.
• Pour mixture over chicken, cover chicken and chill up to three hours.
• If you like, you can turn it in the marinade once or twice--not a critical step.
• Preheat oven to 350°F Place drained cannellini in a large skillet.
• Add the remaining garlic, chopped fine, the remaining rosemary and olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Uncover chicken and bake 35-40 minutes, basting occasionally.
• Remove from oven.
• Preheat broiler.
• Broil chicken till golden brown--3-5 minutes.
• When the chicken is almost done, gently warm the beans till heated through.
• Ladle beans onto serving platter.
• Top with chicken and juices from pan.
• Note: If you would like more sauce (and your baking dish is safe for the stovetop--if not, scrape any fond into a saute pan), place baking dish over medium high heat, add a splash of white wine and or chicken stock, deglaze and reduce.

WARM TUSCAN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Cook carrots and onion in oil 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
• Stir in beans, 1/2 cup reserved liquid, the oregano and pepper. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Line large platter with spinach. Top with bean mixture. Pour vinaigrette over salad. Sprinkle with bacon bits.

TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SALAD WITH SPINACH, OLIVES, AND SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Steps:

• 1. To quick-soak the beans: Place the beans in a large pot with water to cover by 3 inches and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes. Remove from the heat, drain, and rinse.
• 2. To cook the beans: Place the beans in a large pot and add enough water to cover by 3 to 4 inches. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until beans are tender but still firm. Drain and rinse the beans thoroughly. Set aside to cool.
• 3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook and stir until slightly brown, about 5 minutes.
• 4. Toss the beans, onion, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, and olives in a large bowl with the vinaigrette until just combined. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use or up to 1 day. If refrigerating, add the spinach just before serving.

GRILLED TUSCAN PORTERHOUSE WITH WHITE BEAN-GRILLED SHIITAKE MUSHROOM SALAD

Steps:

• Combine all the ingredients in a medium baking dish. Add the steak and toss to coat. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours or up to 2 days. Bring steak to room temperature before grilling.
• Preheat grill. Remove steak from marinade and wipe off any excess and season with salt to taste. Sear the steak for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Close the grill and continue cooking for 10 to 15 minutes for medium rare. Let rest for 10 minutes. Cut into 1/2-inch thick slices.
• Preheat grill. Brush mushrooms with some of the oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side, remove and slice into 1/4-inch slices. Place the warm beans in a large bowl, add mushrooms, herbs and tomatoes.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil and garlic and pour over the beans. Add the cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.

RAW TUSCAN KALE SALAD WITH PECORINO

Steps:

• Trim bottom 2 inches off kale stems and discard. Slice kale, including ribs, into 3/4-inch-wide ribbons. You should have 4 to 5 cups. Place kale in a large bowl.
• If using bread, toast it until golden on both sides. Tear it into small pieces and grind in a food processor until mixture forms coarse crumbs.
• Chop or microplane the garlic and transfer to a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup cheese, 3 tablespoons oil, lemon juice & zest, salt, pepper flakes and black pepper, and whisk to combine. Pour dressing over kale and toss very well to thoroughly combine (dressing will be thick and need lots of tossing to coat leaves).
• Let salad sit for 5 minutes, then serve topped with bread crumbs, additional cheese and a drizzle of oil.

TUSCAN BREAD SALAD

Steps:

• Toast bread slices under broiler for about 4 minutes on each side.
• Remove slices and rub with garlic cloves.
• Prepare dressing by whisking ingredients together in a small bowl, and seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Cut bread slices into small cubes and add them to a serving bowl.
• Next add the tomatoes, beans, roasted pepper and basil.
• Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.
• Let salad rest about 5-10 minutes before serving.

TUSCAN FAVA BEAN AND ORECCHIETTE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Stir in orecchiette pasta and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water.
• Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, thyme, black pepper, and salt together in a bowl until dressing is mixed.
• Combine the fava beans, cooked pasta, grape tomatoes, red onion, celery, and basil in a large bowl. Toss to coat with the dressing. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

TUSCAN TUNA AND WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, tuna, red onions, basil, capers, vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix until well blended.
• Gently fold in beans. Serve immediately on spinach or refrigerate 1-2 hours before serving.

TUSCAN BREAD SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 325 degrees. Arrange the bread in a single layer on a baking sheet, and toast until the bread is completely dry but not browned. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
• In a large bowl, add all the ingredients and gently toss until thoroughly combined. Let stand for at least 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.

TUSCAN RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring large saucepan of water to boil. Stir in rice and salt. Reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered until rice is tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Drain rice well.
• Whisk vinegar and oil in large bowl. Add warm rice and toss to coat.
• Whisk egg and Parmesan cheese in small bowl to blend. Spray medium nonstick skillet with vegetable oil spray and heat over medium-high heat. Add egg mixture and stir constantly until scrambled and curds are set, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and cool. Cut egg into small pieces. Season to taste with pepper.
• Stir egg pieces, pork, peas, red onion and parsley into rice. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. Line shallow bowl with lettuce leaves. Spoon rice salad onto leaves. Surround with tomato wedges. Serve at room temperature.