"Salad" news and stories

They come loose or in bags, but no matter how you buy them, English shelling peas are a summer treat worth bringing into your kitchen.

This week, Wendy's launched four new salads, joining their Garden Sensations line which launched in 2002.

To be honest, we were surprised to see the rather high calorie and fat content in the Baja Salad, Apple Pecan Chicken, BLT Cobb and the Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad (more details about the salads after the jump), especially during the summer months when most people are trying to slim down. The original Garden Sensations line boasts much lighter options, notably the Mandarin Chicken Salad and Chicken Caesar.

While we weren't a fan of all of them, we can say that if were at an airport, stuck with limited options, we'd be happy to grab one of these.

Each salad reviewed after the jump...

Think your green leaves have a short shelf life? Lettuce change your mind.

The blogger herself says it best: "I subscribe to a ton of food blogs, and generally get a handful of recipes delivered to my inbox each day. The gems get filed away under the bulging To Make list. Very rarely do I receive a recipe that sounds so good it produces a Run-Don't-Walk level of urgency. This salad is of the Run-Don't-Walk variety."

It's a satisfying main-course salad, especially with addition of black-eyed peas and black beans, but light enough for a warm summer day thanks to the bright, tangy dressing, sweetened with agave nectar (talk about a great secret weapon!).

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During the cold winter months, salads all too often get overlooked for heavier, warming dishes. However, with complex flavors and heartier textures, salads like this festive wintry beet salad are perfectly satisfying starters to any meal.

Mark Bittman created this raw beet salad to highlight uncooked beets, playing off their earthy taste with a light Dijon vinaigrette -- though for those craving a sweeter alternative, he suggests sautéeing the rosy roots in butter or oil. Tossed with shallots and an herb of choice (parsley, dill, rosemary, chervil or tarragon, to taste), the salad is vibrant in appearance and texture, punctuated by the distinct crunch of the raw beet. Flickr user Ayngelina topped hers with a sprinkling of fresh ricotta, which brightens the dish while softening it, with a sweet dairy finish.

Do you still enjoy salads during the winter months? Suggest your favorites in the comments!

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