Salad

This showstopper is a kaleidoscope of colors, a treasure chest of nutrients . . . yet not a berry to be seen. Winter fruit has its merits: Kiwi is an excellent source of vitamins C and K (the latter is needed for blood clotting), not to mention digestion-enhancing fiber. Reddish-orange persimmons contain twice the dietary fiber of apples, plus more potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, and antioxidants. Cantaloupe and honeydew both provide potassium and are super hydrating—helpful for the winter months when you might be stuck indoors amid dry, re-circulated air. Dressed in a tropical coconut kefir-and-mint vinaigrette, it's a pleasure for all of the senses.

The ultimate date-night first course: eat it with a knife and fork or eat it with your hands. Either way it’s more fun if you share it off the same plate.

Chickpeas are cheaper and heartier in texture when made from dried, rather than canned beans. And the Instant Pot makes quick work of them.

A simple and refreshing relish for grilled meats. You can make the vinegar and sugar dressing up to six weeks ahead of time (store it in the fridge), but assemble the relish the day you plan to serve it.

This Caesar salad–update makes more vinaigrette than you’ll need, and that’s not an accident. Once you taste it, you’ll want a jarful in your fridge at all times.

Toss cooked beans with red onion and a lemony cumin dressing; then pack them up separately from lettuce leaves to make quick lettuce wraps for lunch or dinner.

You can get away with making this foolproof salad with a sharp knife, but a mandoline is the ideal tool.

This sweet-sharp vinaigrette pairs well with the bitter chicories, but feel free to use another sturdy green if you like.

Charred scallions add smoky depth to the creamy, double-acid (lemon and rice vinegar) dressing that pulls this salad of store-bought chicken, Bibb lettuce, avocados, and radishes together.

Our perfect quinoa cooking method is to boil it in salted water until tender, then drain and return to the pot. Let steam, covered, for a few minutes and fluff.

This tahini dressing recipe goes especially well with bitter greens but can also be paired with sweeter lettuces such as Little Gem or romaine.

If this brings back memories of the “house salad” from that Italian-American restaurant you grew up eating at, then we consider our jobs done.

Look for Castelvetrano olives for this salad recipe; their buttery flesh and mild flavor will convert the most olive-averse.

This simple dressing is wonderful as is, especially on a simple green salad, but it also makes a fantastic starting point for more elaborate dressings.

Heavy cream, alone or in conjunction with oil, can be added to vinegar and mustard, producing a vinaigrette that is excellent with delicately flavored salads. Because of its subtlety, creamy vinaigrette can be flavored easily with herbs such as mint, chives, or chervil. It is also excellent for showcasing a special vinegar.