Spice Up Your Fine-Dining Style Dinner With These 3 Unique Party Salads

Gourmet salads are a must for any type of event, whether you're hosting a special gathering or just bringing your signature dish. But with all the hustle and bustle of guests and activities, keeping them cold can be tricky. If you're looking for salad inspirations with unique recipes and tips on how to keep them fresh, read on!

Salads For Party

Salads come in many shapes and sizes, so don’t be afraid to get creative. You can combine fresh veggies with classic dressings like ranch or Caesar, or go bold with an Asian-style sesame dressing.

Whether you’re making an Italian-inspired Caprese salad or a classic Greek salad, party salads are sure to be a hit! No matter what type of salad you choose, make sure it has plenty of crunchy ingredients like nuts and croutons. They give your salad texture and flavor while also helping it stay cool longer at the party.

Now let's start making some salads! Here are 3 party salads for you to choose from.

1. Beet Hummus Salad With Sauteed Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 2 beetroots
• 1 large carrot
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ½ cup of hummus

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Peel and chop the beetroots and carrot into thin sticks.
3. Spread them in a single layer on an oven-safe baking tray.
4. Drizzle with olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
5. Bake for 15 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
6. To assemble the salad: take 1 cup of lettuce leaves, add the roasted vegetables and a spoonful of hummus.
7. Serve cold or at room temperature.

2. Layered Salad With Beet Puree, Salmon & Veggie Mixture

Ingredients:

• 5 medium boiled potatoes, mashed
• 1 large red onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 3 hard boiled eggs, finely chopped
• 3 hard boiled eggs, quartered
• 350g (12 oz) of salmon fillet, diced
• 4 medium beetroots, cooked and mashed

Instructions:

1. Start by making the beetroot puree: in a food processor, mash the cooked beetroots until they reach a smooth consistency.
2. In a large bowl, mix all the chopped ingredients together: potatoes, onion, carrots, eggs, salmon.
3. To assemble the individual size salad: use a small mold to shape multiple layers of all ingredients on each plate.
4. Fill with the mixture of mashed potatoes and mixed chopped ingredients.
5. Finish by topping each salad with a spoonful of beetroot puree.
6. Repeat the process and continue with more molds until the ingredients are all used.
7. Serve cold or at room temperature.

3. Colorful Salad With Roasted Beetroot & Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 2 large beetroot, baked and widged
• 2 medium potatoes, baked and cubed
• 2 handfuls of rucola leaves
• 1/4 cup of walnuts, chopped
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Beetroot sauce & carrot sauce: 1/2 cup of carrot puree + 1/2 cup of beet puree

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Peel and cube the beets, and potatoes
3. Spread them in a single layer on an oven-safe baking tray.
4. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5. Bake for 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
6. To assemble the salad: take 2 handfuls of rucola leaves and spread them over a salad bowl.
7. Add the roasted beetroot and potatoes, chopped walnuts.
8. Decorate the plates and top the salad with spoonfuls of carrot sauce and beetroot puree.
9. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Tips & Tricks

How To Keep Salads Cold At A Party

If the party is outdoors or if you’re hosting in warmer weather, there are several ways you can keep your salads cool. Choose plastic or stainless steel bowls rather than ceramic or glass—they won’t retain heat as much as other materials do.

Also, use ice cubes underneath your salad bowl to keep it chilled for hours on end! Dress the salads right before serving; this prevents sogginess from setting in during transport and makes sure you serve up crisp greens every time.

Can I Make Salad Ahead Of Time?

Keep salads cool and fresh by prepping them just before serving them! However, if you host a party and have to cook a lots of dishes, you can prepare 1/2 of the process ahead of time. Most party salads can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge.

If your vegetables require blanching, be sure to do so. Additionally, store the chopped or dried salad ingredients in a separate container. Keep the dressing and other wet ingredients separately until it’s time to serve, as this will help keep your salad fresh and crisp.

Make sure to keep it in an insulated container with ice packs or cold packs so that it will stay chilled. Don’t forget to pick the right bowl and dress them right before serving, so they stay crispy throughout the event.

Bonus: Need more inspiration with more salad recipe that is suitable for a fine-dining party? Check out the below ultimate beet salad tutorial by chef Bruno Albouze!  

Need a food processor for party salads? Check out our selection of 5 best commercial grade food processors for any party assistant. We have reviewed a wide variety of tools for you to choose from so that you can start preparing for your next party!

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CatchyFindsJane Vo

When it comes to salads for parties, let your imagination run wild! Mix up classic recipes with new flavors that will wow your guests. With these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to serve up some of the coolest salads at any party!

Catchy Finds