8 Sexy Green Salads for Spring

Guess what???!!! Widespread Panic is coming to Brooklyn this weekend, and they’re playing TWO shows. I’m like so excited/anxious I can’t sleep at night. I’ve been listening exclusively to PanicStream and obsessively checking out setlists from the past few weeks trying to figure out what they might have in store. Between you and me, I have a really good feeling. I just know they’re going to resurrect something super rare for their NYC fans. I haven’t picked out my outfit yet, but it’s obviously going be sweet. Like shorts and a t-shirt. You know, something I can really move in, because dear God, those boys can jam.

PSYCH.

I’m messing with you guys! Sort of. I mean, Widespread is coming to town, but I still hate them, and I am not remotely looking forward to this weekend. My roommate on the other hand is freakishly pumped, which although expected, still scares me a little bit. As I’ve mentioned too many times before, Logan is the die-hardest of die-hard “Spreadheads,” and Panic is his greatest passion. He has dubbed this entire week “Panic Week,” and the first paragraph of this post doesn’t even scratch the surface of his aggressive excitement about seeing “the boys” on his home turf. (In case you were wondering, he’s been to well over 100 shows.)

Anyhoo, I’ve found that the best way to get through Panic Week is to keep my head down, stay calm, and focus on things that make me happy. Like spring, and salads, and cocktails. So, friends, let’s spend a few minutes chatting about salads today, then tomorrow, we booze. Cool? Cool. Thank you for your support.

Domesticate ME!’s Favorite Spring Salads:

Shaved Vegetable Salad with Farro and Maple Roasted Pecans. I’m leading with this sexy spring vegetable situation because a.) the crazy amount of texture in this salad is to die for, b.) it’s bursting at the seams with health benefits (fiber! vitamin C! antioxidants!), and c.) it’s really, really pretty. Total sexpot, in fact. If you’re doing any casual entertaining or attending a spring potluck/picnic in the near future, I recommend taking this festive recipe for a spin. It’s a crowd-pleaser.

Vegetable Fajita Salad with Chipotle Vinaigrette. This fully-loaded vegetable fiesta is one of those salads that even salad-haters can get down with. I know this for a fact because my roommate loves it. You should need no further endorsement.

Kale Salad with Strawberries and Avocado. Strawberries are juuuust about to come into season, which is glorious because this is my very favorite kale salad. It’s the perfect combo of earthy, sweet, creamy and tangy flavors, and it pairs almost too well with a chilled glass or three of rosé.

Chopped Greek Salad with Chickpeas and Avocado. Not to toot my own horn, but this salad is a Mediterranean miracle, and it’s pretty much my go-to sassy desk lunch during the warmer months. Just FYI, it travels amazingly well (keep the dressing separate and wait to slice the avocado, duh), and it’s easily bulked up for dinner with some grilled shrimp or chicken.

Detox Salad. Yes, I’m aware that I include this salad in pretty much every roundup and pimp it on social media every other day. I’m not sorry, and I can’t stop (won’t stop) because this simple beauty 100% lives up to the hype. It’s light, it’s fresh, and it leaves you feeling like a million bucks. Get on board.

Kale Salad with Edamame, Roasted Cashews and Miso Dressing. For those of you who’ve yet to embrace the kale salad phenomenon, this Asian-inspired masterpiece may just tip the scales in the superfood’s favor. You’re just gonna have to trust me on this one.

Seared Ahi Salad with Citrus-Ginger Dressing. I recently resurrected this salad from the archives, and it was glorious. I love me a vibrant mélange of greens and citrus with a gingery kick, and the seared tuna really ups the fancy factor. For those suffering from fish-cooking phobia, be not afraid! Searing tuna literally could not be easier, and the whole process takes 3 minutes, tops. You got this.

California Salad with Roasted Chicken and Avocado Dressing. This is the epitome of the “dinner salad.” Between the chicken and the turkey bacon, it’s got some serious heft, and it’s guaranteed to leave you feeling full and satisfied in the “I crushed something good for my bod, and it was dank” sort of way.

Happy spring, peeps! Eat your greens. You’ll like them.

p.s. In case you need more green inspiration, check out the recipes below from my Food Network peeps.

Creative Culinary: Mixed Greens with Smoked Mozzarella and a Warm Roasted Garlic Dressing
The Cultural Dish: Three Quick and Easy Salad Recipes
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Salad Greens with Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
Red or Green: Salad Greens with Basic Balsamic Vinaigrette
The Heritage Cook: Chopped Steakhouse-Style Salad (Gluten-Free)
Weelicious: Southwestern Salad
Taste with the Eyes: Teacher Appreciation Farmers Market Salad
Swing Eats: Kale Salad with Lemon, Pecorino Romano, and Toasted Walnuts
Virtually Homemade: Spinach and Bacon Salad
Elephants and the Coconut Trees: Arugula and Grapefruit Salad
Dishin & Dishes: Tangle Thai Rainbow Salad
Homemade Delish: Grilled Pineapple Spinach Salad
FN Dish: Why Side Salads Are the Best Salads