OUT WEST: Food & Lifestyle

Salads

Farmer’s Fried Goat Cheese Salad

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Farmer’s Fried Goat Cheese Salad with fresh, seasonal greens, cucumber, radish and garden peas and a shallot Dijon vinaigrette.

Whether you have your own vegetable garden or frequent the local Farmer’s Market, you can create a beautiful salad from your bounty of produce. During these hot and unusually muggy days of summer, we look towards quick, fresh dinner ideas. This salad takes all those seasonal veggies and layers them into a beautiful summer salad.  It is so pretty that it almost doubles as a table centerpiece with beautiful scalloped edged butter lettuce and lacy arugula. Halved pea pods, thinly sliced radish and cucumber add a whimsical and artsy touch.  And who doesn’t like fried cheese?

It’s All About The Goat Cheese

For this recipe, you want to look for an 8 oz. goat cheese log.  It makes life easier to simply cut the log into 1 oz. medallions instead of trying to form them.  I used herbed goat cheese, but feel free to use any flavor that tickles your fancy.  You can get goat cheese in a variety of flavors from plain to garlic herb and even truffle flavored. You’ll want to keep the goat cheese refrigerated until ready to fry, that way it holds its shape and you end up with perfectly round medallions.   Nestle them in the layers of salad just before serving.

Ingredients in Farmer’s Fried Goat Cheese Salad

  • Fresh Greens – Butter lettuce and arugula.
  • Radish – One bundle of fresh radish.
  • Cucumber – Half of a fresh cucumber.
  • Sugar Snap Peas – About a handful of pea pods.
  • Goat Cheese – 8 oz. goat cheese log.
  • Panko – Japanese bread crumbs.
  • Flour – For dusting goat cheese medallions
  • Shallot – About a tablespoon of shallot for vinaigrette.
  • Dijon mustard – A teaspoon for the vinaigrette.
  • Apple Cider Vinegar – You can substitute for red wine vinegar.
  • Olive Oil – I use extra virgin olive oil.

Looking for Similar Recipes?

Lightly fried goat cheese medallions sit ever so delicately on this inviting summer salad with fresh, seasonal greens layered with cucumber, radish and garden peas.

Farmer’s Fried Goat Cheese Salad

Farmer’s Fried Goat Cheese Salad with fresh, seasonal greens, cucumber, radish and garden peas and a shallot Dijon vinaigrette.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Course Salad
Cuisine Farmer’s Market, Vegetarian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

Salad

  • 1 head butter lettuce torn
  • 1 cup arugula
  • 4 radish sliced thin
  • 1/2 cucumber sliced thin
  • 1 cup snap peas sliced with a few cut lengthwise to expose peas

Fried Goat Cheese

  • 8 oz goat cheese log sliced into 8 even rounds
  • 1 cup flour seasoned with salt and pepper
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs seasoned with salt, pepper and a pinch of garlic powder
  • vegetable oil for frying

Vinaigrette

  • 1 tbsp shallot minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 tbsp apple cider vinegar can sub rice wine, balsamic or red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sugar can sub honey or agave
  • salt and pepper

Instructions
 

Salad

  • Layer butter lettuce, arugula, radish, cucumber and snap peas in a large salad bowl.

Fried Goat Cheese

  • Heat enough vegetable oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat to cover thickness of goat cheese medallions.
  • Coat each goat cheese medallion in flour, then egg, then Panko.
  • Gently fry each goat cheese medallion until golden brown on both sides. Remove to a wire rack or paper towel.
  • Arrange fried goat cheese medallions over salad and serve with Shallot Dijon Vinaigrette.

Shallot Dijon Vinaigrette

  • Whisk all ingredients together. Drizzle over salad.
Keyword Dijon Vinaigrette, Earth Day, Fried Goat Cheese, Fried Goat Cheese Salad, Goat Cheese Recipes, Goat Cheese Salad, Main Dish Salad, Mother’s Day Recipes, Spring Salad, Summer Salad

15 Minute Salmon Salad

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15 Minute Salmon Salad combines all the freshness of Spring vegetables with tender baked salmon in a lemon shallot vinaigrette.

15 Minute Salmon Salad combines all the freshness of Spring vegetables with tender baked salmon in a lemon shallot vinaigrette

Butter lettuce creates a slightly sweet and tender bed for lightly seasoned wild salmon. Easter Egg radish slices are tucked in along with sugar peas and quartered hard boiled eggs. All drizzled with a light vinaigrette made with lemon, shallot, Dijon mustard and agave to sweeten.

Fresh, wild salmon is always a yes for me. You can always tell wild caught salmon from farmed just by the difference in color.  Wild salmon is bright orange / red in color and has a firmer texture. This is from swimming in natural waters and eating a natural, native diet. It is a clear choice for a healthy addition to your recipe as wild salmon has less fat and more Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D.

15 Minute Salmon Salad combines all the freshness of Spring vegetables with tender baked salmon in a lemon shallot vinaigrette

Ingredients in 15 Minute Salmon Salad

  • Salmon – Fresh, wild caught salmon for the best flavor and texture.
  • Lettuce – Butter lettuce or Bibb lettuce is tender and sweet sold with roots still attached.
  • Radish – Easter Egg radishes are fun to use with their red, pink and white colors.
  • Peas – Sugar peas in the shell add crunch and texture to the mix.
  • Egg – Hard boiled eggs quartered for bite size eating.
  • Spices – Lawry’s garlic salt, chipotle chili powder and brown sugar coat the salmon.
  • Vinaigrette – Shallot, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, agave and olive oil.

Related Recipes

Looking for more healthy recipes? Summer Salad with Fried Goat Cheese Medallions skips the meat for a satisfying meal with crunch and creaminess. Sweet & Spicy Citrus Salmon looks as fabulous as it tastes with a slightly sweet and spicy glaze and layers of mixed citrus. Avocado and Pineapple Salad with Halibut takes flavors from coastal Mexico and pairs with buttery Alaskan halibut.

Lightly fried goat cheese medallions sit ever so delicately on this inviting summer salad with fresh, seasonal greens layered with cucumber, radish and garden peas.
Summer Salad with Fried Goat Cheese Medallions
Sweet and Spicy Citrus Salmon
Sweet & Spicy Citrus Salmon
Light and refreshing Avocado Pineapple Salad with Halibut takes Summer into full swing and simplifies your weeknight dinner.
Avocado and Pineapple Salad with Halibut
15 Minute Salmon Salad combines all the freshness of Spring vegetables with tender baked salmon in a lemon shallot vinaigrette.

15 Minute Salmon Salad

15 Minute Salmon Salad combines all the freshness of Spring vegetables with tender baked salmon in a lemon shallot vinaigrette.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time 15 mins
Course Dinner, Salad
Cuisine American, Farm to Table, Farmer’s Market
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

Salmon

  • 1 lb salmon fillet bones removed, if possible
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp Lawry's garlic salt
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp chipotle chili powder

Salad

  • 1 head butter lettuce
  • 2 hard boiled eggs quartered
  • 4 large radish sliced
  • 1 cup sugar peas rough chopped

Lemon Shallot Vinaigrette

  • 1/2 cup shallot minced
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp agave
  • 1/4 cup olive oil

Instructions
 

Salmon

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with foil. Place salmon skin side down on the sheet pan.
  • Place four pats of butter evenly on salmon. Season with garlic salt, brown sugar and chipotle chili powder. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until center of salmon is cooked through. You want a nice opaque salmon (pink) color and to just start to flake when pressed. While salmon is cooking, make salad.
  • Remove from oven and use pastry brush to spread melted butter and seasoning. Seperate into four servings and place on top of salad. NOTE: Make sure there are no bones when serving in salad.

Salad

  • Gently arrange leaves of butter lettuce in a large serving bowl. Add sliced radish, quartered eggs and sugar peas.

Lemon Shallot Vinaigrette

  • Combine shallot, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and agave in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil. Drizzle over salad just before serving.
Keyword 15 minute dinners, Butter Lettuce salad, Easter Salad, Easy Salmon Dinner, Health Food, Healthy Salad, Healthy Salmon, Spring Salad

Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Salad with Bacon

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Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Salad with Bacon combines new potatoes with creamy dill dressing, Fresno chilies and my favorite spicy dill pickles.

Calling all the dill pickle lovers – this one’s for you. I use my classic dill dip as a creamy dressing for this flavorful potato salad. The tender new potatoes really hold on to all that creamy dill flavor. This potato salad has been our family favorite Summer side dish. It all started when I was short on time and had to whip up a quick party dish.

I always have dill dip and fresh cut vegetables in my refrigerator for easy, healthy snacks. Something I learned from my mom. Remember Uncle Dan’s dill dip? I grew up on that. These days, we make our own homemade dill dip and that’s exactly what inspired this Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Salad with Bacon.

Being short on time led to using my dill dip as a dressing for potato salad. Deciding to take that dill flavor to the next level was the addition of Grillo’s Spicy Dill Pickles. They’re a permanent fixture in my refrigerator. Read more below and find the link to see where you can pick up these tasty pickles.

Ingredients in Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Salad with Bacon

  • Yellow New Potatoes – Also known as baby potatoes, creamy and perfect for soaking up all the flavor.
  • Bacon – Thick cut hickory smoked bacon is preferred.
  • Fresno Chili Pepper – Red, Fresno chili pepper is spicy and has great flavor. Can sub for Serrano.
  • Grillo Spicy Dill Pickle Spears – Fresh, crispy, cold pickled spears of deliciousness.
  • Green Onions – Chopped green onions add freshness.
  • Eggs – Hard boiled eggs, farm fresh, of course.
  • Sour Cream – I use our local Tillamook sour cream.
  • Mayonnaise – The combination of mayonnaise and sour cream perfects the creaminess.
  • Dill – Both fresh and dried dill for an extra dill flavor.
  • Garlic Salt – Lawry’s garlic salt is the only kind I use.

Grillo’s Pickles

I like a crisp, fresh tasting dill pickle. When I found Grillo’s Pickles in the refrigerator section of my local grocery store, I knew I would be a fan. Their motto ‘ Crisp. Clean. Fresh. ‘ is exactly what you get. Grillo Pickles are cold pickled, which means they use simple ingredients like garlic, vinegar, dill, salt and grape leaves to bring you the freshest, crispiest pickles around. I use Grillo’s Hot Pickle Spears in my Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Salad with Bacon.

Related Recipes

Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Salad with Bacon combines new potatoes with creamy dill dressing, Fresno chilies and my favorite spicy dill pickles.

Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Salad with Bacon

Spicy Dill Pickle Potato Salad with Bacon combines new potatoes with creamy dill dressing, Fresno chilies and my favorite spicy dill pickles.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lb. yellow new potatoes
  • 5 strips thick cut bacon
  • 1 small Fresno chili pepper minced
  • 1/2 cup Grillo spicy dill pickle spears chopped
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • 2 large hard boiled eggs sliced
  • 1/2 cup Dill Dressing (below)

Dill Dressing

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup fresh dill minced
  • 2 tbsp. dried dill
  • 1 tbsp. Lawry's garlic salt

Instructions
 

  • Boil the potatoes until just fork tender. Drain and let cool.
  • Cook the bacon until browned, then cut into lardons or strips.
  • Prepare the eggs by boiling until hard boiled, let cool, then slice into rounds.
  • Place prepared potatoes, cooked bacon lardons, Fresno chili peppers, spicy dill pickles, green onions and sliced hard boiled eggs in a large mixing bowl. Fold in dill dressing until coated. Serve right away or refrigerate for up to two days.

Dill Dressing

  • Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, fresh dill, dried dill and Lawry's garlic salt in a small bowl until creamy. Save any remaining dressing in the refrigerator. This can also be used as a dill dip for vegetables.
Keyword Creamy Potato Salad, Grillo Pickles

Out West’s Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad

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Out West’s Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad combines cellentani pasta, arugula, pine nuts and cherry tomatoes in a light lemon vinaigrette dressing.

Out West's Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad combines cellentani pasta, arugula, pine nuts and cherry tomatoes in a light lemon vinaigrette dressing.

This fresh and flavorful pasta salad skips the mayo and gets tossed in a light vinaigrette. The lemon juice in the dressing makes this salad light and refreshing and the cherry tomatoes add a pop of sweetness. Making it the perfect side dish for those Summer potluck parties.

This Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad is a take on one of my favorite pasta salad’s from the local grocery store. Originally with just spinach, pine nuts and parmesan. I added spicy arugula, sweet cherry tomatoes and lemon zest to make this pasta salad shine. It’s perfect served right away and even better served the next day.

Make this pasta salad a meal by adding protein. Grilled chicken or shrimp would be the perfect choice. If planning on adding a protein to the pasta salad, make a little extra dressing. You want to make sure every bit gets coated with that lemony dressing – no dry bites here! In fact, this dressing is my go-to dressing for most of my salads. Sometimes I add a little finely minced shallot and omit the parmesan. Make extra and store it in the refrigerator.

Ingredients in Out West’s Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad

  • Cellentani Pasta – Cork-screw shaped pasta that’s super fun to eat.
  • Arugula – A mix of arugula and spinach works well.
  • Pine Nuts – Crunchy, yet buttery, they add a nice bite to this pasta salad.
  • Cherry Tomatoes – Cherry or grape tomatoes cut in half for a burst of sweetness.
  • Lemon – Pick a nice and juicy lemon for the zest and juice.
  • Parmesan – Fresh grated parmesan in the dressing and more for garnish.
  • Pantry Items – Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, agave syrup and salt/pepper.

Related Recipes

Out West's Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad combines cellentani pasta, arugula, pine nuts and cherry tomatoes in a light lemon vinaigrette dressing.

Out West’s Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad

Out West's Lemon Arugula Pasta Salad combines cellentani pasta, arugula, pine nuts and cherry tomatoes in a light lemon vinaigrette dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Farmer’s Market
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Cellentani pasta
  • 2 cups arugula / spinach mix
  • 1/2 cups pine nuts
  • 10-15 cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 lemon zested
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan grated

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. minced garlic
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp. agave syrup
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan grated
  • 1 pinch salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the Cellentani pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water until completely cold. Drain well and pat dry, if necessary. Place in large mixing bowl.
  • Prepare dressing by whisking all dressing ingredients together. Coat the prepared Cellentani pasta with all of the dressing.
  • Fold in arugula/spinach mix, pine nuts and cherry tomatoes. Top with lemon zest and parmesan. Serve right away or refrigerate overnight for even more flavor.
Keyword No Mayo Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

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Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad with fresh corn, tomatoes, chilies, bacon, cilantro, cotija cheese and orecchiette pasta in a creamy Tajin dressing.

Delicious the first day and even better the following day. This pasta salad is my go-to dish for picnics, BBQ gatherings and camping. It can be made ahead and refrigerated for two days.

The orecchiette pasta is the perfect shape for cupping all the corn, peppers, bacon, tomatoes and cheese, so you get all the flavor in one bite. When cooked al dente and rinsed in cold water, orecchiette pasta really holds up in this creamy pasta salad.

Ingredients in Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

  • Orecchiette Pasta – Ear shaped pasta, perfect for holding all the tasty bits.
  • Corn – Yellow corn is preferred for color and flavor.
  • Fresno Chilies – Red, medium heat chili pepper. Can also use serrano or jalapeno.
  • Cherry / Grape Tomatoes – These smaller, sweeter tomatoes hold up well in pasta salad.
  • Red Bell Pepper – Adds extra texture and color.
  • Scallions – a.k.a. green onions for a fresh herbiness.
  • Cilantro – Fresh cilantro.
  • Bacon – The bacon in this pasta salad really makes the dish.
  • Cotija Cheese – Crumbly Mexican cheese similar to feta.
  • Tajin Seasoning – A Mexican seasoning staple.
  • Mayonnaise– Real Mayo, full fat.
  • Lime – Adds a light, zesty flavor.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad with fresh corn, tomatoes, chilies, bacon, cilantro, cotija cheese and orecchiette pasta in a creamy Tajin dressing.

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad with fresh corn, tomatoes, chilies, bacon, cilantro, cotija cheese and orecchiette pasta in a creamy Tajin dressing.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 2 mins
Course Dinner, Salad
Cuisine Farm to Table, Mexican
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups Orecchiette pasta cooked according to package directions
  • 6 ears yellow corn on the cob cut off the cob
  • 1 tbsp. avocado oil
  • 2 Fresno chilies (can sub serrano or jalapeno) minced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 small pkg. cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 bunch green scallion / onions chopped
  • 8 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
  • 1/3 cup cilantro chopped
  • 1/4 cup cotija cheese crumbled

Tajin Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp. Tajin seasoning
  • 1 lime juiced

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Strain and remove all of the water from pasta, pat dry if necessary.
  • While pasta is cooking, cook bacon either on a sheet pan in 400 degree oven until browned or in a pan on the stove. Remove grease from cooked bacon and crumble.
  • Heat a large sauté pan over high heat. Add avocado oil and let it come to high heat. Add corn that has been cut off the cob. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until just heated, but still firm.
  • Place completely cooled pasta in a large serving bowl. Toss together with corn, chilies, red bell pepper, tomato, scallions, cilantro and bacon. Stir in Tajin dressing to coat. Top with cotija cheese and more cilantro. Serve right away or refrigerate for even more flavor.
Keyword Elote Salad, Pasta Salad

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