Simply, deliciously inspired meals

Family Features

Eating well doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself and your family of delicious meals that everyone will enjoy. There are plenty of well-balanced options that won’t compro mise flavor. It starts with foods that are made with a minimal number of all-natural, simple ingredients — such as these satisfying salads.

If you think of salads as just meal starters with a few greens and a handful of veggies, it’s time to think again. When done right, salads can be full of satisfying flavor — and greens aren’t always required.

Salad Greens 101

When you want to create a great-tasting salad with greens, go beyond the usual iceberg lettuce. Here’s what you need to know about some tasty greens and what types of dressings pair well with them:

Arugula: Delicately textured leaves with a sharp, peppery bite. Goes well with balsamic and fruit-flavored dressings.

Bibb: Delicate leaves with a creamy texture. Mild flavor goes well with poppy seed and champagne dressings.

Frisee: Coarsely textured with lacy, curly leaves. A mildly flavored green with a slightly bitter bite. Goes well with fruit-flavored, balsamic, ranch and blue cheese dressings.

Mesclun: A blend of multi-textured greens that range from delicate to crispy. Leaf colors range from pale to dark green, and deep reds. Mixtures range from sweet to sharply flavored lettuces. Goes well with Greek dressings, as well as classic ranch and light balsamic dressings.

Romaine: Crisp leaves with a firm texture. A mildly flavored green with a crunchy texture. Goes well with blue cheese, thousand island and ranch dressings.

Salads Without Greens

Salads can be based on pasta, grains, meats, seafood or a variety of delicious vegetables. Here are some combinations to try for your next family dinner:

Chickpea Salad: Roasted cauliflower, beets, cucumber, chickpeas and olives combine with red onion, feta cheese, cumin and Greek feta salad dressing for an exciting addition to the menu.

Chilled Asiago Rice Salad: This colorful salad is filled with brown rice, red peppers, garbanzo beans, peas, red onions and balsamic dressing.

Asparagus Salad: Grilled asparagus is topped with hard-boiled eggs, lemon zest, spicy radishes, savory Parmesan cheese and creamy Caesar salad dressing.

When choosing dressings, look in the produce section for products made with all-natural ingredients such as extra-virgin olive oil, canola oil (source of omega-3 ALA) and sea salt, like Marzetti Simply Dressed and new Marzetti Simply Dressed & Light (with less fat and calories) refrigerated salad dress ings. They are all made with simple, back-to-basics ingredients, no preservatives, trans fats, MSG, high-fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors, and are fresh, flavorful additions to any salad or recipe.

For additional tasty recipes and product information, visit www.marzetti.com.

Asparagus Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Serves 4

1 bunch fresh asparagus, ends trimmed

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 cup Marzetti Simply Dressed Caesar Salad Dressing

2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

Zest of 1 lemon

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese shavings

8 radishes, cut into matchsticks

Prepare a grill to medium-high heat, or preheat an oven to 400 degrees.

Toss asparagus with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill asparagus 2 to 4 minutes, turning spears frequently, until the spears are bright green and lightly charred. If roasting, arrange spears on a sheet pan, place on top rack of oven and roast for 4 to 5 minutes (shake pan once or twice during cooking time).

Transfer asparagus to a platter, drizzle with dressing, sprinkle with eggs, lemon zest, cheese and radishes. Serve.

Tip: For a lighter alternative, try Marzetti Simply Dressed & Light Caesar.

Watercress Arugula Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Serves 6 to 8

1 bunch watercress, stems removed

3 cups arugula leaves

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

1/3 cup chopped pistachios

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

1 tart apple, cored and sliced thinly

2 tablespoons Marzetti Simply Dressed Balsamic Salad Dressing

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1/2 cup Marzetti Simply Dressed Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

3 ounces prosciutto, cooked and crumbled

Arrange salad leaves on a large platter; sprinkle top with onion, nuts and blue cheese. In a small bowl, combine apple slices, balsa mic dressing and parsley. Add apples to salad. Drizzle blue cheese dressing over top of salad and top with crumbled prosciutto. Serve.

Tip: For a lighter alternative, try Marzetti Simply Dressed & Light Blue Cheese.

White Bean Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Serves 6

3/4 cup Marzetti Simply Dressed Ranch Salad Dressing

1 15.5-ounce can cannellini beans, drained

1 shallot, minced

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped

1 red bell pepper, diced

6 cups chopped romaine lettuce

1/2 cup sliced cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled

Combine dressing in a large mixing bowl with remaining ingredients and gently toss. Arrange on a serving plate and serve immediately. Serve salad with toasted French bread drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt.

Tip: For a lighter alternative, try Marzetti Simply Dressed & Light Ranch.