Need a Standby for an Easy, Delicious Side? Try this House Salad.
When it’s a busy weeknight and I am juggling practice drop-offs and pickups, homework help, and managing the general mayhem of a house with kids and pets, there are a few lifesavers. Number one is prepping dinner ahead. On the days when I do this, whether it’s simply chopping and prepping or full-on making dinner ahead of time, I feel great. One thing done. And on the busiest days, that’s enough. But number two on the list is having a go-to side for dinner. Enter House Salad. I can always whip it up quickly or ask my oldest kiddo to help. Finally, number three is that glass of wine later in the evening when I have a moment. To sit and sip. Catch my breath.
But enough about that glass of wine; let’s focus on the sideshow: House Salad. It’s what makes a main dish into a full meal. Restaurants often feature a house salad that’s popular and consistent as a side dish. House salads are almost always green salads with assorted veggies, but there are many variations. What usually makes a house salad great is quality ingredients and a delicious dressing.
You will love having a standby side dish that is healthy, easy, and family-friendly. When my kids were smaller, the salad was lettuce and croutons and dressing on the side. Now that they’re older, it’s all the things. But it’s certainly easy to customize to your family’s tastes. House Salad is full of fresh, natural ingredients like tomatoes and cucumbers in the mix with leafy romaine. The honey mustard dressing is totally a make-ahead one and is so much tastier and healthier than bottled dressing.
Happy, Not Sad Lettuce
If you’ve ever been disappointed by salad, it’s probably mostly the lettuce. Limp, lifeless lettuce is a thing. A thing to avoid, and here’s how. Start with fresh, not the bagged stuff, whenever possible. Trim off the ends, rinse thoroughly, and use a salad spinner to dry in batches. Set the lettuce on a clean kitchen towel to finish drying for a few minutes. Getting that moisture off is key. Even if you are prepping ahead, you can lay a damp paper towel down in a storage container and place the washed & dried lettuce on top. Cover and store for up to 3 days.
How to Make Ahead and Store?
The best way to make ahead House Salad is to prep the chopped ingredients ahead of time and make the dressing ahead of time. The veggies will keep for up to 2 days, and the dressing for up to a week in the fridge. Any leftovers will likely get soggy if they are tossed in the dressing, but if you have leftovers that are undressed, you can remove the croutons and store them in the fridge for up to a day. Sprinkle the romaine with some ice water to revive before eating the leftovers. Freezing is not recommended.
Serving Suggestions
On a busy weeknight, serve House Salad alongside a hearty, make-ahead dish like this Freezer Lasagna or Crack Chicken Casserole. Additionally, House Salad is a great accompaniment to a simple at-home steak dinner. Grill up your favorite steak, make Baked Potatoes with Garlic Herb Sour Cream, and add in this House Salad for simple perfection. To transform House Salad into a main dish for lunch or a light supper, simply top it with grilled chicken breast or grilled salmon, and you’ll have a complete meal in a bowl. It’s a versatile go-to recipe to have in your toolkit!
House Salad Recipe
Ingredients Â
- 6 cups romaine lettuce chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup croutons
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
InstructionsÂ
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Sprinkle croutons and grated Parmesan cheese over the salad.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Serve immediately for the freshest taste.
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