Food52 Mighty Salads Book Review

Food52 Mighty Salads Book, Food52 Mighty Salads Book Review, Food52 Mighty Salads Review

"Does anybody need a recipe to make a salad? Of course not. But if you want your salad to hold strong in your lunch bag or carry the day as a one-bowl dinner, dressing on lettuce isn't going to cut it."


If you follow me on Instagram, you might know about my fondness for Sweetgreen and their salad/grain bowls. After the chain discontinued their Avocobbo which was my husband's favorite, I got the idea that I could make it at home. And from there, I just started making more salad and grain bowls for dinner. This plays well since we embrace being part-time vegetarians. They're ideal both from a healthy eating perspective, easy to make and customize and terrific when it's hot out and I don't necessarily want to cook as much but still want to eat well. I've been doing takes inspired from Sweetgreen as well as favorites like Niçoise Salad, to just throwing things together with whatever's in the fridge. It's worked out pretty well but of course I'm always looking to keep things fresh so I was really excited about this book from the editors of Food52 which is one of my go-to sites for recipes and inspiration.

Food52 Mighty Salads Book, Food52 Mighty Salads Book Review, Food52 Mighty Salads Review

Food52 Mighty Salads  is a focused collection of 60 recipes that transform ordinary salads into one dish worthy meals. The book is broken into six categories ranging from Leafy Salads, Less-Leafy Salads, Grain & Bean Salads, Pasta & Bread Salads, Fish & Seafood Salads to Meat Salads so there is something for everyone. The book offers up fresh takes on classic salads like Caesar and Cobb as well as eclectic combinations like white beans with charred lemon and fennel. And the recipes are inspired from all regions of the world so you would never get bored.

Food52 Mighty Salads Book, Food52 Mighty Salads Book Review, Food52 Mighty Salads Review

The recipes are wonderful and so is all the great information. This book is also a fantastic resource packed with helpful tips referred to as Building Blocks like how to wash and store your greens so they'll last, how to keep an avocado from browning, easily get corn off a cob, and even sprout your own grains. My favorite part has to be the dressings.  I always make my own dressing and I rotate between a balsamic vinaigrette, a red wine vinaigrette, a dijon vinaigrette and a miso sesame dressing. They're good but this repertoire could do with a little expansion and variety. The dressing recipes in this book are refreshingly creative! I mean who would think to make a dressing with hard boiled egg? I have tried this dressing and it's delicious! Another great one is the Smokey Tahini! And I had no idea Nuoc Cham was so simple to make.

Food52 Mighty Salads Book, Food52 Mighty Salads Book Review, Food52 Mighty Salads Review

Food52 Mighty Salads is beautifully photographed and well presented. The recipes definitely elevate the basic salad beyond boring. These are simple to make, wholesome dishes from fully plant based salads to heartier ones that include lobster and steak that will satisfy both vegans and carnivores.. A few of my favorites include the Wild Rice Bowl with Tofu and Sweet Potatoes and the Spicy Chicken Salad with Rice Noodles. With all the talk about the benefits of a plant based diet, this book offers a ton of creative ideas for one dish meals built around vegetables.  It's fun to cook from and the authors encourage substitutions and experimentation. Check out this preview of a few recipes from the book

Do you enjoy salads as a main dish? What's your favorite?




Disclosure: I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review. All words and opinions are my own. It may contain affiliate or referral links. For more details about my product review policy, copyright, and information about affiliate links, please refer to the Policies page of this blog.

27 comments

Lilli said...

Definitely yes and I usually prepare them in summer. But I confess I didnt know could exist a book only to prepare them and it looks really great with all those detailed and almost real images. Id like to read it and try some recipes too. Happy weekend dear Rowena! xo

Paola Lauretano said...

I love salads and I need this book now!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself

Doctor Anne said...

I am a huge fan of salads whenever I eat put, but rarely make one at home for myself. One of the reasosn is that many a time the inspiration is lacking and the onlymthing i can come up with is a boring version. This book might be a big help.

Linda, Libra, Loca: Beauty, Baby and Backpacking

Jackie Harrison said...

Great book to read and try salad recipe looks delish.

Emmylou said...

Since cutting out most of my carbs, salads have been a big part of my meals. Thanks for the heads up on this book, Rowena! I love that they have a dressing section. That's always been one thing I'm not good at winging, so I always need "recipes" to get the flavour just right:)
Have a lovely weekend!

BEAUTYEDITER.COM – Beauty Blog said...

Love!!!! Happy weekend. :)

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Shireen L. Platt said...

Come to think about it, the only 'salad' we eat a lot is pasta or potato salads, not the healthiest choice for sure but we do eat lots of vegetables and fruits. That said, my husband just told me not to get any funny ideas when he saw me reading this post. LOL!

little luxury list said...

Mmm I love a good hearty salad. Unfortunately the husband is not a fan, though he does like more substantial salads. I'd love to read this for ideas though. You're reminding me to recreate a favorite ginger carrot dressing now and delve back into salads!

Beauty Unearthly said...

Lovely post dear! Have a great weekend! xx

Julia Shkvo said...

Great post and photos really liked ❤️
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Anonymous said...

I do love salads, especially for lunch. I think that I could find great new ideas in a book like this one.

ANOUK

Lena L said...

I have to make extra efforts to select a salad dish for meal (it always requires some sort of determination. LOL), but it is true I always feel good and even proud(?) after a salad meal. This book look fantastic! I like that there is a separate section for seafood varieties. :)

Sparkles of Light said...

I'm really into salads, especially at this time of year and I also love cooking so this book sounds amazing, thank you for the review.

Rosy | Sparkles of Light Blog
My Instagram | Instagram

Fashionably Idu said...

Thanks for this Rowena. I need to healthy up cos I've been feeding my body too much junk lately. Looks like a great book to kick off my healthy eating this summer.


http://www.fashionablyidu.com/

Kasztanowy Domek said...

Great book!

Happy weekend!:)

xxBasia

Unknown said...

I have a weird relationship with salads, sometimes I love them, I eat them everyday, I crave them, I just can’t get enough. Other times I hate them, I despise them, I try to eat them I even order them but in the end I don’t eat a bite. Maybe Food52 is exactly what I need. All these sexy salads make me happy and makes my mouth water. I’m going to order this cookbook TODAY!

María Pilar Bernal Maya said...

I love salads! I'm vegan
kss
=)
New post in my Lifestyle Blog

Margaret Dallospedale said...

This book looks awesome Rowena.
Kisses
Maggie Dallospedale Fashion diary - Fashion blog

Pilar said...

I love salads! This book sounds like something I would like to pick up!

Unknown said...

Such a great cook book! Everything looks so delicious for summer!

http://violettedaily.com

Margaret Dallospedale said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Margaret Dallospedale said...

Have a nice sunday sweetie
kisses
Maggie Dallospedale Fashion diary - Fashion blog

Midnight Cowgirl said...

Those salads do look delicious :)

Gabrielle said...

I love how after one of your husband's fave dishes was discontinued, you started making it yourself from home - that's so thoughtful! This book sounds really good; and YUM to that egg salad visual!

Gabrielle | A Glass Of Ice x

Lenya said...

I love veggies, I love salad, therefor I love this book. Happy Sunday, girl.
xox
Lenya
latest look:A Print For All Seasons

Coco said...

I love salads and I could use some new ideas! Baci, Valeria - Coco et La vie en rose FASHION & BEAUTY

A Very Sweet Blog said...

This is awesome Rowena! Anyone that loves salads, needs this! I'm always looking for new ideas >.< Love the variety & options they give.
http://www.averysweetblog.com/