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A crisp, chewy salad offers a welcome contrast to the rich, comforting dishes that typically dominate holiday tables. A few smart swaps can transform a light summer favorite into something perfectly suited to this time of year. Roasted seasonal vegetables add caramelized sweetness; nuts and seeds add welcome crunch; and grains, like bulgur, farro, quinoa and wheatberries, add a satisfying chewiness, nutty flavor and plenty of good-for-you nutrition. Here are a couple of easy ways to give your go-to salads a cold-weather upgrade.
Cheeses: As the seasons change, richer and more complex cheeses step into the spotlight. Aged Gouda, nutty Parmesan and Roquefort bring bold flavor and depth, picking up where summertime favorites like feta and fresh mozzarella leave off.
Dressings: This time of year, bright summer vinaigrettes give way to dressings that feature aged balsamic, warming spices like ginger or curry, or a touch more sweetness. Kowalski’s Signature Poppyseed Dressing and Steakhouse Blue Cheese Dressing are especially good partners for the bolder flavors of the season.
Fruits: Say goodbye to watermelon and nectarines. Crisp apples, juicy pears and jewel-like pomegranate arils bring crunch, sweetness and tartness that pair especially well with tangy cheeses and richer dressings.
Greens: Heartier greens, like chard, kale and spinach, bring more flavor, texture and staying power than water-rich favorites, including iceberg and romaine. Their pleasantly bitter notes also pair beautifully with the richer ingredients of the season.
Rachael Perron is the culinary and branding director for Kowalski’s Markets, where she specializes in product development and selection, culinary education and communications.
