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Salads and Appetizers

Welcome to the crunchy-crave corner, where vibrant veggies and creamy concoctions come together in glorious harmony. Every bowl and jar here brims with bright flavors and playful textures. Pull out your prettiest plates—this is where colorful munchies make their grand entrance!

This creamy tahini spread is smooth, rich, and totally addictive. Tahini is a key ingredient in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes, such as hummus and baba ghanoush. It’s also used as a dressing, dip, or even in desserts (and a great egg-replacement in the vegan kitchen!). When mixed with lemon juice and garlic, tahini becomes even more versatile, adding depth and richness to a wide range of dishes. I read a post by someone on social media that was calling for ideas what to do with tahini, so good news to whomever is still looking for those recipes - I’m a lifelong tahini fan and use it everywhere. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with that jar of tahini, you’re in the right place. I add it to hummus spread, as a dressing for salads, as an egg replacement, as an addition to my morning oatmeal and so much more.

Delicious Creamy Tahini Spread

This isn’t your standard picnic slaw. I add lemon juice for zing, vegan mayo for creaminess, a touch of sugar for balance, and dried cranberries for a pop of sweetness and texture. It’s fresh, crunchy, and perfect for pairing with anything from burgers to brunch.

Crisp and Zesty Coleslaw

I bought red and gold beet at the market and decided to whip this carpaccio dish. It has such a fancy vibe, yet it takes very little time and effort to put together, which is such a win, especially when you need ideas for a fancy dinner. I like slicing the beets thin and raw, and arranging them so the red and golden layers sit next to each other. It’s a small thing, but the way the colors line up gives the plate a vibrant feel, even before I add anything else. Each of the other ingredients add flavor and texture, which come together to this fantastic bite, tied together with a raspberry-balsamic drizzle. It's a 4-season dish, that pairs really well with every meal, and the fact it takes just a few minutes to put together is huge for me, since time is the essence (!) and as a working parent of 4, I appreciate easy and simple (yet elegant) recipes.

Beet Carpaccio

When we hosted a summer dinner recently, we wanted something that felt fresh and thoughtful without requiring a lot of time or fuss in the kitchen. This salad came together naturally—raw yellow beet for crunch and earthiness, sweet dried figs for a touch of richness, and peppery arugula balanced by the light, delicate alfalfa sprouts. The date-mustard dressing adds just the right hint of sweetness and tang to bring it all together. It wasn’t meant to steal the show, but quietly complemented the meal and fit perfectly with the relaxed, easygoing atmosphere we hoped to create.

Fig and Beet Salad

This is a fresh, balanced Mediterranean salad built around crisp vegetables, creamy avocado, and peppery arugula—simple, clean ingredients that come together in the best way with just olive oil, lemon, and salt. It’s the kind of salad you’ll find on repeat across the region, especially when paired with a bowl of fluffy couscous on the side. The couscous isn’t just a filler—it’s a natural extension of the meal, adding substance without weighing it down. Everything comes together quickly, and it’s easy to scale up for a crowd or pack for a road trip lunch.

Couscous Salad

The flavors of this carrot salad are bold, punchy, and bright, thanks to fresh garlic and a few other simple ingredients. It's so simple but somehow manages to be both super healthy and completely crave-worthy. I love making a big batch and tossing it into wraps, grain bowls, or as a refreshing salad with a warm meal. It pairs well with brunch too, and so easy to put together (no knife is needed!) that we often make it when we travel too.

Garlic-Infused Carrot Salad

Most people don’t think “leek” when they think finger food—but here’s the surprise. I started thinking what to do with these leeks because they were sitting in the fridge giving me guilt every time I opened the drawer. So I roasted them until golden, gave them a quick olive oil/balsamic gloss, and suddenly they’re bite-sized little stars. What really makes it pop is the sauce: chestnuts for creamy sweetness, roasted peppers for smoky depth, and a punch of garlic and sun-dried tomato to tie it all together. It looks way fancier than it is to make.

Roasted Leek Bites in Sauce

I usually buy parsley with the idea that I’ll use “just a little” in a recipe, and then I’m left with a big bunch staring at me from the fridge. This salad is my solution. Instead of letting those greens wilt away, I chop the whole thing and make it the main event. It’s fresh, full of flavor, and takes almost no effort. The best part is how forgiving it is. Walnuts give it crunch, but almonds or pecans work if that’s what’s in the pantry. Cheese adds creaminess and the dressing is quick to whip together with what we usually have on hand, and it makes the parsley feel less like “just herbs” and more like a real salad. This isn’t a kid-friendly dish in our house (the parsley is just too “green” for them), but it works great for the adults. I’ll make it at home when dinner needs something light on the side, or pack it into a container when we’re traveling in an RV and want an easy salad to balance out heartier meals. Since it’s dairy-free and plant-based, it holds up well for hours on the road without the stress of refrigeration worries you get with mayo-based dressings. It’s fast, flexible, and keeps parsley from going to waste—a little grown-up salad that travels well.

Wonderful Parsley Salad

This salad mixes roasted vegetables with fresh ones for a balance of flavors and textures. Chickpeas and pumpkin seeds make it filling enough for lunch or dinner, and the tahini yogurt dressing pulls everything together. The mix of warm and cold keeps it interesting, and the dressing adds a nutty, tangy flavor that works with everything. It’s simple to prep ahead and easy to scale for a crowd. We pack it for road trips since it holds up well in containers, but it’s just as good served fresh at home as a main dish or a colorful side.

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

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Delicious Creamy Tahini Spread

This creamy tahini spread is smooth, rich, and totally addictive. Tahini is a key ingredient in many Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes, such as hummus and baba ghanoush. It’s also used as a dressing, dip, or even in desserts (and a great egg-replacement in the vegan kitchen!). When mixed with lemon juice and garlic, tahini becomes even more versatile, adding depth and richness to a wide range of dishes. I read a post by someone on social media that was calling for ideas what to do with tahini, so good news to whomever is still looking for those recipes - I’m a lifelong tahini fan and use it everywhere. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with that jar of tahini, you’re in the right place. I add it to hummus spread, as a dressing for salads, as an egg replacement, as an addition to my morning oatmeal and so much more.

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