Here are in and out of the fascinating land of arugula salads! Have you grown bored of plain old lettuce and in the need of some spice to compliment your salads? Meet arugula!
This range of green also known as rocket has a special taste that as well falls under both the bitter and refreshing type.
From the novices in cooking to the experienced servers and chefs, there is always something more and more exciting that can be found in arugula salad recipes.
So, grab your salad bowl and pack your taste buds for a food trip that will take you through the edible kingdom of arugula salads.
1. Peppery Arugula with Parmesan
2. Classic Italian Arugula Salad
3. Fried Halloumi Salad
4. Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
5. Fig Salad with Arugula and Pecans
6. Fried Goat Cheese Salad
7. Arugula Caesar Salad
8. Grilled Skirt Steak Salad with Arugula, Balsamic-Glazed Onions, Tomatoes, and Feta
9. Summer Arugula Strawberry Salad
10. Arugula Salad with Berries
11. Apple Pecan Arugula Salad
12. Red Pepper Pesto Ravioli Salad
13. Arugula and Pear Salad
14. Italian Sheet-Pan Panzanella
15. Grilled Peach and Steak Salad
16. Watermelon Arugula and Feta Salad
17. Pomegranate, Goat Cheese, Candied Pecan Arugula Salad
18. Lemony White Bean Arugula Salad with Prosciutto
19. Beet, Tangerine and Steak Salad
20. Easy Parmesan Arugula Salad
21. Arugula Salad with Farro
22. Arugula Cherry Tomato Pasta Salad
23. Strawberry & Arugula Salad
24. Baby Arugula and Dried Cranberries
25. Arugula Apple Salad with Roasted Shallot Vinaigrette
26. Arugula, Pesto, Potato Salad
27. Arugula Salad with Lemon Zest, Parmesan, and Balsamic Dressing
28. Arugula Salad with Pine Nuts and Dressing
29. Arugula Salad with Beets
30. Avocado, Blackberry and Arugula Salad
31. Warm Mushroom, Avocado & Arugula Salad
32. Arugula Salad with Lemon Balsamic Dressing
The Allure of Arugula
Arugula has a slight bitter taste that distinguishes it from other similar products.
It has a small scale bitter and black pepper like taste which gives a great kick when included in any dish which is the reason many people enjoy using it.
The interesting-shaped leaves of arugula, botanically known as Eruca sativa, also contain vitamins A, C, K, folate, calcium, and potassium.
This goes well in meals and stands out as one of the most nutritious vegetables that any chef would love to incorporate into their meals.
Exploring Arugula Salad Combinations
Arugula can be used as a salad or garnish, in lieu of basil or parsley. It is versatile and flexible to work with and that means that you can easily prepare salads of your choice ranging from simple ones to complicated ones.
Ranging from light sandwiches to heavy warman history, you name it, it is possible to be made.
Now it is high time to focus on some of the main components that are served as accompaniment for arugula and how they can create a different impact on salads.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
There are so many modifications that can be made in order to make an arugula salad experience even better, one of which is the addition of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Tomatoes bring moisture and juiciness that clean up the palate, and cucumbers and bell peppers intensity of flavors and color add crispness and esthetics.
The combination of the crispy cress, nutty quinoa and fruity dressing give this salad a great balance that would be welcomed at any occasion.
Nuts and Seeds
To add more taste and to make it even more enriching in nutrients, nuts and seeds are perfect added to the salad.
I like to toast the walnuts, almonds, or pine nuts as they yield a crisp and crunchy texture as well as a delicious nutty taste.
If it is being served with the intention of having it with some kind of soup, seeds like sunflower, pumpkin, or chia can also be added.
They not only give the salad a unique taste but also add nutritional values.
Cheeses
Cheese lovers, rejoice! It has to be said that this green vegetable compliments cheese extraordinaire in a unique way.
The idea is to choose a cheese that will harmonize well with its robust taste.
Perfect examples for that are the smoothness of goat cheese, the tanginess of parmesan or the neutrality of mozzarella.
Onions not only give extra flavor to the food but are very useful in increasing the attractiveness of the food by making it more appealing to the eye.
Proteins
Finally, it will be considered to create proteins to enhance your salad to complete a meal.
A side dish made out of vegetables can be accompanied with a piece of grilled chicken, shrimp or prepared steak to make a salad carry the appearance and feel of a full meal.
For vegetarian choices, roasted chickpeas, tofu or tempeh is the best to add on the barbeque grill.
Proteins come in these foods, and they help you enhance the feel of your salad apart from making it balanced.
Dressing It Up
Yes, arugula needs dressing as a part of a salad because the quality of the dressing ultimately dictates how good the salad will be.
Use of the right dressing can make a lot of difference. Here are some dressing ideas to consider:
- Vinaigrettes: A basic dressing of olive oil and vinegar is a good match for arugula due to their understanding of how the herbs are best used in a salad. Some options for the kind of vinegar that may be used consist of balsamic, apple cider or red wine vinegar, which allows selecting a dressing that is preferred. For extra flavor, you can incorporate certain types of honey or mustard in your mix to help you create a richer vinaigrette.
- Creamy Dressings: For a cream base, you can opt for the standard dressings like Caesar, ranch or the blue cheese dressing that perfectly complements arugula. These dressings enhance the value of your salad and give it a more ‘ decadent’ feel and would likely leave you more satiated. Although to avoid overwhelming the arugula, consider the proportions of the added ingredients sufficiently to intensify the taste of the dressing.
Seasonal Inspirations
Another advantage of using this green vegetable as a spice in meals is the fact that it is versatile and can be used at any time of the year.
For instance, you may try to incorporate the seasonal ingredients into the arugula salads. This would help you to have the seasonal taste feel on the salads.
Spring and Summer
During the warm season with their juicy fruits and sweet vegetables spoil yourself a bit.
Gorgeous items which come to mind are strawberries or peaches or even heirloom tomatoes on a colorful salad.
Again, using fresh basil, mint, dill, etc., can also bring a alternative taste to the salad as well as a touch of class.
Fall and Winter
When it becomes chilly, it’s common that dishes that use ingredients such as roasted squash, beets, and root vegetables will be preferred.
We learn bits and pieces of how to conceive of the arugula salad through this particular context, such as supplementing it with dried cranberries or figs and pecans or hazelnuts to provide it warmth for a fulfilling meal for the colder seasons.
Creative Twists
If you are looking to take a bit of a risk when preparing your next salad, then feel free to go with your creativity on this.
Here are some unique ideas to inspire you:
Grain Bowls
Arugula can be mixed with cooked grains for a filling side dish, such as quinoa or cooked farro or barley. The grains provide some body and chew to the dish and have a delicious nutty flavor that works a treat when mixed through the arugula.
Add over some roasted vegetables and a vinaigrette of your choice to your meal for a balanced diet .
Exotic Flavors
Try and adapt your food with components that are out of the norm globally, some of which include avocado, mango and pomegranate.
You can make your arugula salad spice up by introducing some hits of spices like cumin, coriander or sumac.
These strong tastes can take you to different places and give a great twist to your salad.
Pickled Delights
There are some vegetables that are perfect to be pickled and these are red onions, radishes, cucumbers, and these give a tangy and zest to the arugula salad.
This enhances the pepperiness of the arugula, which is tasted in contrast to the acidic pickles.
Besides, it makes your salad more colorful and attractive to the eye since pickled vegetables will also bring in different colors following the types of vegetables used in the pickling process.
Conclusion
There are no doubts that arugula salads are very helpful and appropriate for any period of the day.
Rather than tasting flat, arugula adds a pungent bite to any dish and the combinations for preparing this gourmet treasure are infinite.
If you are more of a traditionalist and enjoy a rather basic salad of crushed greens or prefer a gourmet salad with various additions, there will be an arugula salad that will suit your taste.
So, the next time when you have the desire to eat a salad, and you want to give the main role to arugula, try to entertain yourself with a wide variety of options that are available with this amazing green. Happy salad-making!
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