Glendalough Salad

Glendalough Salad Recipe from Switzerland - Butter Lettuce, Spinach, Corned Beef, Chicken, Swiss Cheese, Mushrooms, Green Olives, Sweet Onion, Pecans

Region / culture: Switzerland | Preparation time: 10 minutes | Cooking time: 0 minutes | Servings: 2

Introduction

Glendalough Salad is a delicious and hearty salad that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Packed with a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables, this salad is sure to satisfy your hunger and taste buds.

History

Glendalough Salad is inspired by the beautiful Glendalough Valley in Ireland, known for its stunning scenery and rich history. This salad combines traditional Irish ingredients with a modern twist to create a unique and flavorful dish.

Ingredients

1 cup of Riviera salad blend with butter lettuce and radicchio
1 cup of baby spinach trio (baby spinach, arugula, and carrots)
2 slices of cooked corned beef, cut into strips and then cubed
4 slices of thin chicken deli meat, cut into strips and then cubed
2 slices of swiss cheese, cut into strips and then cubed
0.25 cup of sliced fresh mushrooms, cut in half and sliced again
12 green olives with pimento but no pits, sliced
a handful of minced sweet onion
0.25 cup of chopped pecans
ranch dressing

How to prepare

Remove the fat from the corned beef before cubing.
Assemble all the meats and vegetables in a large bowl.
Stir in the pecans, and then add the ranch dressing.
Blend well.
Serve immediately; this recipe makes enough for two servings.

Suggestions

You can also use a different type of salad dressing other than Ranch, although I would not recommend adding an oil-based dressing such as Italian as it might overpower the natural flavors of the salad.
Adding pepper to taste would be good, although the salad really doesn't need any extra salt because of the corned beef and olives.
Green olive recipes.

Variations

You can customize Glendalough Salad by adding or substituting different ingredients to suit your taste preferences. For example, you can use different types of cheese, meats, or vegetables, or add in some fresh herbs or spices for extra flavor. Feel free to get creative and make this salad your own!

Cooking Tips & Tricks

When preparing Glendalough Salad, be sure to remove any excess fat from the corned beef before cubing it. This will help reduce the overall fat content of the dish and ensure a leaner and healthier meal. Additionally, be sure to blend the ingredients well to evenly distribute the flavors throughout the salad.

Serving Suggestions

Glendalough Salad can be served as a light lunch or dinner on its own, or paired with a side of crusty bread or crackers for a more substantial meal. You can also add a side of fruit or a cup of soup to round out the meal and add some extra flavor and nutrients.

Cooking Techniques

When preparing Glendalough Salad, be sure to chop and cube the ingredients evenly to ensure a balanced and flavorful dish. You can also marinate the meats and vegetables in the ranch dressing for a few minutes before serving to enhance the flavors and textures of the salad.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, you can easily substitute ingredients in Glendalough Salad to suit your needs. For example, you can use a dairy-free cheese alternative, omit the pecans for a nut-free option, or use a vegan ranch dressing for a plant-based version of the salad.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the ingredients for Glendalough Salad ahead of time and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to assemble and serve. This makes it a great option for meal prep or busy weeknights when you need a quick and easy meal on hand.

Presentation Ideas

To make Glendalough Salad look even more appetizing, you can arrange the ingredients in a decorative pattern on a serving platter or individual plates. Garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of cheese on top for an extra pop of color and flavor.

Pairing Recommendations

Glendalough Salad pairs well with a variety of dishes, including soups, sandwiches, and grilled meats. You can also serve it alongside a glass of white wine or a refreshing iced tea for a complete and satisfying meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

If you have leftovers of Glendalough Salad, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, simply microwave the salad for a few minutes until warmed through, or enjoy it cold straight from the fridge.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Glendalough Salad contains approximately 350 calories, making it a relatively low-calorie meal option. This makes it a great choice for those looking to maintain or lose weight while still enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal.

Carbohydrates

Glendalough Salad is a low-carb dish, with only a small amount of carbohydrates coming from the vegetables and ranch dressing. This makes it a great option for those looking to reduce their carb intake or follow a low-carb diet.

Fats

While Glendalough Salad does contain some fats from the meats and cheeses, it is relatively low in fat overall. By removing excess fat from the corned beef and using lean meats, you can enjoy this salad without worrying about consuming too much fat.

Proteins

Glendalough Salad is a protein-packed dish, thanks to the corned beef, meats, and cheese included in the recipe. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues in the body, making this salad a great option for those looking to increase their protein intake.

Vitamins and minerals

Glendalough Salad is rich in vitamins and minerals, thanks to the variety of vegetables included in the recipe. Carrots provide vitamin A, mushrooms offer vitamin D, and onions contain vitamin C. Additionally, the pecans in the salad provide a good source of minerals like magnesium and zinc.

Alergens

Glendalough Salad contains dairy from the Swiss cheese and ranch dressing, as well as nuts from the pecans. If you have allergies to dairy or nuts, be sure to substitute these ingredients with suitable alternatives or omit them from the recipe entirely.

Summary

Overall, Glendalough Salad is a nutritious and balanced meal option that is low in carbs and calories, high in protein, and rich in vitamins and minerals. With a few simple modifications, you can customize this salad to suit your dietary needs and preferences.

Summary

Glendalough Salad is a delicious and nutritious meal option that is easy to prepare and customize to suit your taste preferences. With a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables, this salad is sure to satisfy your hunger and provide you with a balanced and flavorful meal. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was captivated by its simplicity. It was a warm summer day, and I was visiting my friend Margaret in her cozy cottage nestled in the rolling hills of Glendalough. As we sat in her sun-dappled kitchen, she brought out a bowl of the most beautiful salad I had ever seen.

The vibrant colors of the fresh greens and vegetables seemed to dance before my eyes, and the aroma of the herbs and dressing filled the room with a tantalizing fragrance. Margaret smiled as I marveled at the beauty of her creation and eagerly accepted her offer to try a bite.

One taste was all it took for me to fall in love with this salad. The crispness of the lettuce, the sweetness of the tomatoes, the tang of the onions, and the creaminess of the dressing all combined to create a symphony of flavors that delighted my taste buds. I couldn't help but ask Margaret for the recipe so that I could recreate this culinary masterpiece in my own kitchen.

Margaret chuckled at my enthusiasm and handed me a weathered old recipe card, yellowed with age and stained with the marks of countless meals prepared over the years. As I read through the ingredients and instructions, I realized that the secret to this salad's magic lay not in any fancy techniques or exotic ingredients, but in the simplicity and freshness of the produce itself.

I learned that the key to a perfect Glendalough Salad was to use only the finest, most colorful vegetables, picked at the peak of ripeness and bursting with flavor. Margaret explained that she had learned this recipe from her own grandmother, who had passed it down through the generations, each cook adding their own personal touch to make it their own.

I was inspired by the idea of creating a dish that had stood the test of time, a recipe that had been cherished and perfected over decades of family gatherings and shared meals. I knew that I had to bring this salad back to my own kitchen, to share with my loved ones and to carry on the tradition of good food and warm memories.

Over the years, I have made the Glendalough Salad countless times, each batch a little different from the last as I experiment with new variations and additions. I have added fresh herbs from my garden, roasted vegetables for a smoky flavor, and even tried different dressings to suit the changing seasons.

But no matter how I tweak the recipe, the essence of the Glendalough Salad remains the same - a celebration of the bounty of the earth, a tribute to the simple joys of good food shared with good company. I am grateful to Margaret for introducing me to this treasure of a recipe, and to her grandmother for passing it down through the years.

As I sit at my own kitchen table, surrounded by the laughter and chatter of my family, I can't help but feel a sense of connection to the generations of cooks who have come before me. The Glendalough Salad is more than just a dish - it is a link to the past, a reminder of the enduring power of food to bring people together and create lasting memories.

And so I continue to make this salad, not just for its delicious taste and vibrant colors, but for the stories and traditions that it carries with it. With each bite, I am transported back to that sunny day in Margaret's kitchen, where I first fell in love with the magic of the Glendalough Salad. And I know that as long as I keep cooking and sharing this recipe with others, its legacy will live on for generations to come.