Soups & Salads

Strawberry Kale Salad with Fresh Serrano Peppers, Pumpkin Seeds & Poppy Seed Dressing

An Unexpected Twist On A Simple Under-5-Minute Salad
May 15, 2022
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > 30 Minute Meals

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Strawberry kale salad with jalapenos, pumpkin seeds & Poppy Seed DressingStrawberry kale salad with jalapenos, pumpkin seeds & Poppy Seed DressingBaby kale salad with strawberries, pumpkin seeds & more via waitingonmartha.com

Lets be honest, salads can be boring.  So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make.  Enter my Strawberry Kale Salad with Pumpkin Seeds, Serrano Peppers and Poppy Seed Dressing.  

This four-ingredient Strawberry Kale Salad allowed me to get a little creative with my ingredients and almost fooled me into thinking I wasn’t actually eating a salad!  And it never hurts when the salad is this gorgeous. 

Nixing plain greens for baby kale with a touch of spinach, freshly sliced strawberries, pumpkin seeds, and fresh jalapenos for kick was the perfect combo.  The balance of flavors—sweet to spicy—and the textures—crunchy pumpkin seeds to the soft strawberries—is absolutely divine…even coming from someone who can’t always be satisfied with just a salad. I do wish I had some herbed goat cheese, that would have really made sealed the deal.

And with a salad like this one, I always love a good poppy seed dressing.  The tangy citrus flavor and thick consistency cool down the heat from the serranos, and pair perfectly with the fresh strawberries. Now I know not everyone likes heat, so in hindsight, I suggest putting the serrano peppers on the side for guests to choose if they want to add a little fire.  Since I wanted to keep this salad super simple and under-5-minutes-to-make, I opted to use this store-bought poppy seed dressing, though you can absolutely make your own!  Tell me, how do you think outside of the salad box?  Truly, MKR

P.S. Wouldn’t this make for a beautiful salad for an upcoming bridal shower?  I just love the pop of red and the fresh greens!  xo 

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Strawberry Kale Salad with Fresh Jalapenos, Pumpkin Seeds & Poppy Seed Dressing

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 1 minute

Total Time: 6 minutes

Yield: 4-6

Ingredients

  • 2 bags baby kale and arugula mix
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries, sliced thinly
  • 1 jalapeno, sliced or diced thinly
  • Handful of pumpkin seeds, to garnish each salad
  • Candied pecans, finely chopped (optional)
  • Herb goat cheese, molded into small crumbles (optional)
  • Dressing of choice (I used store-bought poppy seed!)

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Pour dressing, toss and serve!
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Citrus Shrimp Cobb Salad

Mixing Up The Classic Cobb
March 22, 2018
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > 30 Minute Meals

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Shrimp Cobb Salad, Waiting On Martha citrus grilled shrimp saladShrimp Cobb Salad, Waiting On Martha

I’ve never really been a salad person. Which is strange because I typically like everything that’s on a salad, just not a salad itself if that makes sense. It’s probably because the ratios are usually wrong to me. 

You see, I’m always looking for that perfect bite.  A bite that includes a little bit of warm, cold, crunchiness, softness, spice, and sweetness.  And that perfect bite is what I set out to create whenever I’m trying to transform any salad.

Today’s transformation is your classic cobb to the most flavorful shrimp cobb salad. I subbed out your standard (often bland) chicken for warm citrus grilled shrimp.  Chives for red onion and roquefort cheese for an herbed crumbled goat cheese. And lastly, instead of a red wine vinaigrette I played up the citrus from the shrimp with a cilantro and lime dressing.

These substitutions are not only crazy easy, but they’re extra flavorful.  Which you guessed it, helps to create that perfect bite.  Check out the recipe below, and let me know by tagging me on Instagram if you end up trying this shrimp cobb salad recipe for yourself! Truly, MKR

P.S. If you’re looking for more salads that are anything but boring check out my recipe index under Soups & Salads. 

Citrus Shrimp Cobb Salad
Serves 4
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. Mixed romaine and iceburg lettuce, chopped
  2. 6 pieces of bacon, cooked and broken into pieces
  3. 1 small red onion, finely diced
  4. 2 avocados, diced
  5. 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails left on
  6. 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  7. 1 cup crumbled herbed goat cheese
  8. 1 lime, juiced
  9. 1 lemon, juiced
  10. 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
  11. 1 tsp. olive oil
  12. 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
  13. salt and pepper to taste
  14. dressing of your choice (I suggest a light citrus dressing)
Instructions
  1. In a sauté pan heat olive oil over medium heat. Add shrimp, lemon and lime juice, cilantro, cayenne, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until done; approximately 2-3 minutes each side. Once cooked, set aside.
  2. Build your salad: lettuce, avocado, bacon, onions, cheese, tomatoes, and shrimp.
  3. Serve with dressing and enjoy!
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/

Photography, Rustic White

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Smoked Turkey, Pomegranate, Brussels & Bacon Salad

An Anything But Boring Salad To Add To Your Everyday Menu
February 12, 2018
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Everyday Dinner

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Smoked Turkey, Pomegranate, Brussels & Bacon Salad, Waiting ON MarthaSmoked Turkey, Pomegranate, Brussels & Bacon Salad, Waiting ON Martha Smoked Turkey, Pomegranate, Brussels & Bacon Salad, Waiting ON Martha

I first made this salad with all of my Thanksgiving Day leftovers. Craving something healthy, but not wanting to waste food, this anything-but-boring, smoked turkey salad was the perfect solution.  But even since the big day, I can’t stop making it.  And the beautiful thing about this turkey salad is it’s more than easy to recreate.

What really makes this salad work, is the combination of flavors.  The smokey taste of the turkey, combined with fresh tart pomegranate seeds, crisp brussel sprout shreds, and everyone’s favorite meat bacon, meld in perfect harmony creating a mouth watering bite after bite.  And no, your turkey does not have to be smoked, a well seasoned turkey breast will do the trick.

And bonus, there’s plenty of healthy stars in this smoked turkey salad.  Some of them obvious like pomegranate seeds, and others not so obvious, like shaved brussel sprouts which are sneakily mixed in which is perfect for the pickiest eaters. 

I’ve become obsessed with subbing in shaved brussel sprouts whenever possible.  You can of course shred your own with your standard cheese grater, but plenty of places like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods have them washed, bagged and already shredded for you.  Try them in your coleslaw and salad recipes next time.

Hearty enough to be a meal all on it’s own, but with flavors that still make it equally light and refreshing I guarantee this smoked turkey salad will quickly become one of your households go-to meals.  Truly, MKR

P.S. Something to note, depending on the size of your turkey breast, or if you choose to roast an entire turkey, I suggest using the left over turkey by making a great turkey noodle soup, or turkey chili.  Or you can always make round two of this salad!

 


 

Smoked Turkey, Pomegranate, Brussels & Bacon Salad
Serves 4
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Ingredients
  1. 4-6 pieces of bacon, cooked and crumbled or torn
  2. 1 turkey breast cooked and shredded (or approximately 3-4 cups shredded turkey meat)
  3. 1 cup pomegranate seeds
  4. 2 cups shaved brussel sprouts
  5. 1 small head of lettuce, cut/chopped or 1 large bag of salad greens
  6. Croutons
  7. Shaved Parmesan Cheese
  8. salad dressing of choice (I typically use an Italian or Caeser dressing)
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl mix the brussel sprout shreds and lettuce until well mixed.
  2. On a large platter, layer the lettuce/brussel mix followed by turkey, bacon, pomegranates, croutons, and parmesan cheese.
  3. Serve with dressing of choice and enjoy
Welcome by Waiting on Martha https://waitingonmartha.com/

Photography, Rustic White

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