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Tuesday, June 23, 2015

No cook raw vegetable salad { plus a giveaway }

This no-cook raw vegetable salad is the perfect meal salad for hot summer nights or crowd-pleasing side at your next summer BBQ. 

No cook raw vegetable salad, with or without chicken


You know The Ninj is all about healthy, real-food recipes that are easy to make, right? So what could be healthier and easier than a raw vegetable salad?

Pretty much nothing, peeps. No cooking. Just chopping. Good eating.

I've adapted this raw vegetable salad recipe from one by London chef Yotam Ottolenghi (he of the gorgeous Plenty cookbook fame), so you know it's bound to be super fresh and healthy, loaded with good-for-you veggies readily available at your local grocery or -- better yet -- farmers market.

Plus, it's packed with grated cauliflower. Yes, grated, which it turns out in awesome way to overcome Mr. Ninj's texture aversion to cauliflower (and dupe him initially into thinking it was grated cheese!).

Now, being The Meatasaurus, I chose to add some grilled chicken to this salad -- which probably makes the vegetarian Chef Ottolenghi cringe, but that's how I roll. It's completely optional if you prefer the meatless route or want to use this salad as a side rather than a main dish salad. Chicken or not, you're going to dig the light but tangy vinaigrette plus how super-fast it is to whip up this salad.

No cook raw vegetable salad, with or without chicken


Now, a fun fact: I discovered the recipe after paging through the premier issue of the new Rodale's Organic Life magazine. So far, it's one of the only non-food-only magazines in my house and I'm really enjoying it, not only because it had tons of great real-food recipes that I'm dying to try but also because it included some very factual, robust articles about all aspects of living a healthier lifestyle: exercise, gardening, travel and more.

Because I enjoyed the magazine so much, I've teamed up with the Rodale folks to bring you a special discount subscription offer plus a very, very cool and unique giveaway.

Until June 30th, you can get six issues (a one-year subscription) of the magazine for only $15, along with a no-strings attached free trial and a free gift -- just use this link for the special offer.

Additionally, using the entry widget below, one of my readers will be selected to receive this one-of-a-kind goodie package (estimated $75 value):
  • Organic pasta sauce, olive oil, and spaghetti made from scratch on an organic farm in Italy, Fattoria La Vialla
  • Photo book of a food journey through Tuscany and Fattoria La Vialla
  • Spaghetti server
  • Tote bag
  • One (1) issue of Orangic Life magazine 
(Note: The giveaway is open to U.S. residents 18 years of age and older and ends on June 29, 2015 at 12:00 am.)

Giveaway package from Organic Life magazine and Yankee Kitchen Ninja


So, other than making this yummy and super-fast raw vegetable salad, what tips do you have for living organically and healthfully? Leave a comment: The Ninj wants to know.

No-Cook Raw Vegetable Salad

(adapted from a recipe in Organic Life magazine)

Ingredients:
1 shallot, minced
1 teaspoon mayonnaise
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 of a small head of cauliflower, grated (I used the grating blade on my food processor)
5-6 large radishes, halved and sliced
4 ounces green beans, trimmed and snapped into bite-sized pieces
2 cups baby kale or arugula
2/3 cup shelled fresh or frozen peas (thawed, if frozen)
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or sliced
3/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives, halved
6 ounces grilled chicken breast, shredded or diced (OPTIONAL)
kosher salt and pepper


Directions:
In a large bowl, whisk together the first five ingredients (shallot through oil) until combined into a vinaigrette. Add the remaining ingredients and toss well to coat, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.


www.yankeekitchenninja.com
-- print recipe --

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Note: While Rodale's Organic Life is providing the prize package for this giveaway and supplied me with a complimentary issue of the magazine, I was not compensated in any way for this post. All opinions are my own.

35 comments:

  1. I had to chuckle about the cauliflower; it does look like cheese! But this sounds really crunchy, which is what I love about a salad. Can't wait to give it a try.

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  2. I like the cauliflower idea. I would pretend to be slipping it past my kids, but the honest truth is that I am a cauliflower aversion too! :)

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    1. Poor cauliflower. :-( Thanks for checking it out!

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  3. Grated cauliflower is genius! (Why you're the Ninj?) Love the dressing too. Awesome giveaway Jules! I entered...:) I never win anything, but hopefully this will be my turning point....:)

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    1. Seriously -- he thought it was cheese! How awesome is that? Don't worry, Allie -- I never win anything either. :-)

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  4. I need this salad in my life. Today!!!

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  5. I say eat what you can that is organic.

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  6. I've been looking for new salad recipes for our weekly pool potluck. Can't wait to try this.

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    1. Hopefully no one has cauliflower issues -- oh wait, it's disguised!! :-) Enjoy!

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  7. I love every ingredient in this recipe. Going to try it tonight!

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  8. Yummy! I'll be trying it this weekend!

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  9. Can't wait to make this for the summer birthday lunch I'm throwing this weekend!

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  10. I can't say I live a completely organic life but I belong to a CSA and I go to the farmer's market every week. So we're more organic than not most of the time!

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    1. That's completely awesome, Michelle -- fresh and local all the way!

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  11. I love this salad recipe, by the way! I was answering your giveaway comment above and hit publish before I commented on your salad! I must be off in la-la land today. I'll have to take a look at what we get from the CSA this week and see if I can make it. :)

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    Replies
    1. You can definitely make some substitutions/modifications and it will still be successful -- have fun with it and thanks for commenting, Michelle!

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  12. Researching and reading helps me!

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  13. I really enjoy growing my OWN veggies, so I know what goes into them:)

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    Replies
    1. I hear you, Brittany -- now if I could just keep the squirrels, bunnies and deer from eating them all, I'd be all set. :-)

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  14. Thank you so much for offering such a wonderful giveaway! My tip is to grow your own so you always know exactly what you're eating.

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    1. I agree, Cindy -- thanks for checking out the post and entering the giveaway!

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  15. I like to focus on buying organic versions of foods that are most likely to have pesticides, like carrots and potatoes.

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    Replies
    1. So smart to avoid the "dirty dozen", Madeline!

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  16. Love the recipes and great ideas. Will use grated cauliflower on my next salad.

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  17. I try to grow my own herbs and vegetables when I can.

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  18. Fortunately living in Atlanta, I have lots of access to organic food. We eat almost exclusively organic with a few exceptions. This salad is right up my alley. Great post, Ninj!!

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  19. I'm going to make this for a church potluck... sounds great!

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  20. Try to grow your own organic food!

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