Simple Spring Salads

Welcome back, friends! With spring in full bloom, I’m featuring a trio of beloved salad recipes. Ranging from a hearty full meal to a sweeter classic, these salads can easily make a simple supper feel like a full-on family reunion.

Leading the pack this month is a personal favorite, Pasta Caesar Salad. I was first introduced to this meal-worthy salad at a locally owned restaurant. When they closed shop, I found I simply couldn’t live without this dish, so I made short work of recreating the recipe. It’s been on a regular rotation at my house ever since. This is great for a light meal, family luncheon or as your contribution to a larger potluck.

Don’t you just love having a good refrigerator salad on standby during busy weeks? These heartier salads can be made on the weekend and enjoyed throughout the week as quick snacks, sandwich sides or starters for family suppers. Easy Broccoli Salad is perfect for this. My recipe balances the sharpness of onions with the sweetness of cranberries and adds in lots of extra crunch with the additions of bacon and sunflower kernels. Don’t want to make bacon? Grab a bag of real bacon pieces from the salad aisle instead.

This month, I’m proud to shine the spotlight on an Alabama Farmers Federation member and cook from Elmore County, Janice Whorton. She and her late husband, Don, were long-time dairy farmers, and her recipe for Buttermilk Salad (originally shared in the January 1992 Neighbors) is sure to be a favorite. The classic salad is one of those Southern favorites that walks the thin line between side dish and dessert. I like to treat it as a side so I can have dessert as well! In the good ole days, every granny had her own recipe for buttermilk salad, and I’ve loved them all.

Like me, you’re probably looking forward to warmer days outside with the family, enjoying nature and watching the sunset. With great recipes, good friends and beloved family, we’ve got all the fixings for a delicious spring.

By Janice Whorton, Elmore County Prep Time Servings 30 mins 12

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) can pineapple tidbits, undrained 2 (3-ounce) packages orangeflavored gelatin mix 2 cups buttermilk 1 (8-ounce) container non-dairy whipped topping, thawed 1 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

Heat pineapple and its juice in saucepan. Remove from heat. Add gelatin, stirring to dissolve. Cool. Fold in buttermilk, whipped topping and pecans. Pour into square or oblong dish and chill until firm.

Stacey Little is a foodie, recipe developer and cookbook author whose Southern Bite blog helps families put simple, down-to-earth food on the table while preserving Southern cooking for future generations. See more recipes at southernbite.com.

Prep Time Servings 25 mins 6

Ingredients

8 cups bite-size broccoli florets (about 3 heads of broccoli), rinsed and dried well 1 (3.5-ounce) package real chopped bacon (about 1 cup) or 14 to 16 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled 1/2 cup dry roasted sunflower kernels 1 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced (about 1/4 medium red onion) 1 cup thick-cut shredded sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

In a very large bowl, combine broccoli, bacon, sunflower kernels, cranberries, onion and cheese. Set aside.

In a small bowl, make dressing by whisking together the mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar.

Pour dressing over broccoli mixture and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour. Toss again before serving.

Pasta Caesar Salad

Prep Time Cook Time Servings 15 mins 10 mins 4 to 6

Ingredients

10 to 12 ounces uncooked bow tie pasta 1 (9-ounce) bag chopped hearts of romaine (or 1 large romaine heart washed and coarsely chopped) 1/2 cup Caesar dressing 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese 1 cup croutons

Salt

Pepper Instructions

Cook pasta to al dente in salted water according to package instructions. Drain and rinse in cool water until pasta is cool. Drain well. Set aside.

In a large bowl, toss hearts of romaine with the pasta, dressing, cheese and croutons. Add additional dressing, if desired. Add salt and generous amounts of freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Toss again and serve immediately.

Easy Creamy Caesar Dressing

Prep Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

1 cup mayonnaise 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 teaspoon anchovy paste 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine ingredients. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop.