New favorite lentil salad alert! ♡

I’ve been loving this salad so much lately because it’s wonderfully light and fresh and downright bursting with juicy, tropical, summery flavors. Protein-packed lentils form the hearty base (or you can swap in farro or quinoa if you prefer). Then to those we add sweet and juicy mango, creamy avocado, tangy red onion, tons of fresh mint, chopped spinach, crunchy almonds, and a sprinkling of tangy feta if you’d like. Then a quick batch of my lemony everyday salad dressing brings it all together.

It’s a simple and wholesome recipe that’s easy to make in less than 30 minutes, and also holds up nicely in the fridge if you’d like to prep a big batch for weekday lunches. While we’ve mostly just served the salad as a main course here in our house, it would also pair beautifully with any protein of your choice (such as grilled chicken, salmon, steak, etc). Or it would also be a fab contribution to a potluck or picnic this summer.

Let’s make some lentil salad together!

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I’m officially declaring this our family’s house salad of the summer. ♡

We’ve been making this salad on repeat lately and simply cannot get enough of its refreshing, zesty, Middle Eastern-inspired blend of ingredients. Crisp Romaine provides the perfect bit of structure and crunch, chickpeas lend a hearty dose of creaminess and protein, chopped Medjool dates add a surprising pop of caramel, loads of fresh mint brightens everything up, ripe avocado brings the creaminess, and an irresistibly zesty lemony za’atar shallot vinaigrette brings it all together. It’s wonderfully light and summery and bursting with fresh flavors. I know you’re going to love it!

This salad is definitely hearty enough to stand on its own if you would like to serve it as an entrée. Or it could also pair deliciously with any number of proteins (such as chicken, steak, salmon or shrimp) or cheeses (such as tangy feta or grilled halloumi). All of the ingredients here also happen to be naturally gluten-free, vegan and naturally-sweetened, which came in especially helpful when I recently served this salad to a large gathering of friends with a wide range of dietary needs. Everyone gave it rave reviews and asked for the recipe, which I always consider the best compliment. So without further ado, here it is!

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Seriously cannot get enough of these noodles lately. ♡

My TikTok feed has been downright overflowing with Chinese-inspired chili oil noodles these past few years. And after trying out a handful of different recipes and chili oil techniques, I’ve landed on this recipe as my personal fave.

It’s fabulously quick and easy to make with whatever type of noodles you might prefer. And the chili oil sauce that brings it all together is pure sesame, garlicky, gingery, spicy deliciousness. (Like, I could seriously put this chili oil on just about everything, it’s just so good.) It’s the perfect dish to whip up for a quick dinner with whatever protein or veggies you happen to have on hand. And while these chili noodles are absolutely delicious served nice and hot, I honestly look forward just as much to enjoying any leftover noodles cold for lunch the next day.

If you love spicy noodles, you’ve definitely got to give this one a try!

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One of our family’s all-time favorite ways to eat our veggies! ♡

These roasted vegetable enchiladas have been a fan favorite here on Gimme Some Oven for over a decade now. They’re super easy to make with whatever leftover vegetables happen to be hanging out in your fridge. And after many years of serving these enchiladas to veggie-lovers and veggie-skeptics alike, I can vouch that everyone loves these enchiladas no matter which veggies you toss in. They all get extra caramelized and yummy while roasting in the oven anyway, and then once they’re rolled up in tortillas and baked with zesty enchilada sauce and melty cheese, I’m telling you — people just dive right in. They’re too good to resist!

I’m of course partial to making them with my favorite homemade red enchilada sauce, but feel free to use store-bought if you’re looking to save time. I’ve also included make-ahead instructions below if you’d like to make a pan in advance to refrigerate or freeze. And if you would like to make these gluten-free, just grab your favorite corn or gf flour tortillas and you’ll be good to go.

Let’s make a yummy pan of vegetarian enchiladas together!

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I’m returning to my Midwestern roots today to pay homage to the potluck dish that will forever be a nostalgic favorite…my classic potato salad recipe. ♡

There are of course a million different takes on how to make potato salad. But if you grew up in the Midwest or South and spent any amount of time at backyard barbecues, church basement dinners, or summertime picnics, you know exactly what I’m talking about when it comes to a “classic” creamy potato salad. We start with freshly-diced potatoes, boiled until perfectly tender and then tossed with a hint of vinegar. Then to the potatoes, we add the classic building blocks of hard-boiled eggs, crisp celery and tangy red onion. A big scoop of pickle relish adds a deliciously briny kick, although some may argue it’s optional. Then everything gets tossed with a rich and creamy dressing spiked with mustard, celery salt, vinegar, and paprika to bring everything together. Potato salad perfection.

Now I know that there are strong opinions out there on the topic of Miracle Whip versus mayo, so you do you! Feel free to also add in any extras you might like, such as bacon, avocado or fresh herbs. And while I personally love leaving the potato skins on for extra texture and nutrients, you’re totally welcome to peel the potatoes here if you prefer.

Let’s make some potato salad together! (more…)

My new favorite thing…crumbled falafel bowls! ♡

A few months ago, I had a major falafel craving but couldn’t summon the energy to make the mix, form it into dozens of little patties, and fry each one until perfectly crispy. So I decided to test out a little shortcut instead, simply adding the crumbled falafel mix directly to a skillet with a bit of oil and giving it a slow toss until all of those crumbly bits turned golden and crispy. And not only did the method work well…the crumbled falafel was absolutely delicious.

We’ve made this recipe many times since, especially since our toddler has turned out to be a big fan of this recipe too, and it has quickly become a new family favorite. The key is, of course, to begin with a delicious falafel mix. I’m partial to loading mine up with lots of garlic, fresh herbs and seasonings, and a hint of lemon. If you have the time, dried chickpeas soaked overnight will also yield a better texture, but canned chickpeas can work too if needed in a pinch. Then the key is to let the falafel mix sauté in a few tablespoons of hot oil until the bottom layer is golden and crispy, then toss and wait for the new bottom layer to crisp up, toss and wait, toss and wait. It’s quite easy and comes together much quicker than a traditionally-shaped batch of falafel, yet you still get some of those crispy golden bits that we all love. A win-win!

I love piling this crumbled falafel into rice bowls with lemony-sumac veggies (so fast and yummy), crumbled feta, and a generous drizzle of tahini sauce. But there are about a million variations you could try with these bowls, so please don’t hesitate to get creative and add whatever greens, grains, veggies, toppings, or sauces sound good. Let’s make some! (more…)

The sauce that makes just about everything better. ♡

Seriously. From grilled veggies to meats, salads to sandwiches, falafel to kebabs and beyond, tahini sauce is one of those magically versatile recipes that can be used in a million different ways. And its classically creamy, nutty, rich flavor never fails to make any dish taste amazing.

All you need are 5 simple ingredients (tahini, lemon, garlic, salt and cumin) and about 10 minutes to whip up a quick batch of this Middle Eastern-inspired sauce. This homemade tahini sauce recipe also happens to naturally be vegan and gluten-free. And while we most often stick to the classic ingredients here in our kitchen, there are countless fun variations that you can try to add some extra herbs, spice, heat, sweetness to customize your own tahini sauce recipe.

So grab some tahini and let’s make a quick batch!

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Ever tried making homemade tahini? ♡

This beloved creamy and nutty Middle Eastern condiment is actually very easy to make from scratch with just three ingredients — sesame seeds, oil and salt. It comes together quickly in about 10 minutes using either a food processor or high-speed blender. And while there’s definitely nothing wrong with store-bought tahini, I have to say that nothing rivals the fresh flavor that comes with making a homemade batch with freshly-toasted sesame seeds. So rich and delicious!

I’ve included all of my best tips below for how to make tahini, plus a list of suggestions for all sorts of delicious ways to put it to use. I’m of course a huge fan of using it in classic dips like hummus or baba ganoush, but it’s also fantastic in everything from salad dressings to smoothies, baked goods, marinades and beyond.

So the next time you’re craving a recipe that uses tahini, round up some sesame seeds and let’s blend up a quick batch of DIY tahini together!

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These brown butter shortbread bars are downright swoon-worthy. ♡

Seriously. I’ve baked up a record amount of shortbread during this season of Ted Lasso, inspired by his famous biscuits that he gives to Rebecca week after week. And after playing around with various takes on classic shortbread recipes, and getting lots of feedback from friends who have been more than happy to taste test, we’ve finally settled on a winning recipe that I’m certain would be Ted-approved.

Like most classic shortbread recipes, this one features the 4 usual ingredients — butter, flour, sugar and salt. But I’ve amped things up by browning the butter, which adds an irresistibly nutty, toasty and rich notes to the shortbread. I’ve also added a hint of vanilla to the batter, which rounds out the flavors and brings everything together nicely. Then I’m absolutely going to insist that you sprinkle a bit of flaky sea salt on top to finish — the salty-sweet combo is works so well here and really makes the brown buttery flavors sing!

Just like Ted, I’m convinced that these shortbread bars (or “biscuits” as they would say in the UK) are best for sharing. So I hope you’ll bake up a quick batch to share with those you love and enjoy, enjoy!

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One of those salads I could eat every single day. ♡

This Thai-inspired chopped crunch salad is perfectly balanced with a delicious mix of fresh veggies, greens, herbs and peanuts, and brought together with the absolute yummiest sesame peanut dressing that you’re going to want to drizzle on everything. I love adding in a big handful of crispy wonton strips too for some extra crunch. And while some shredded chicken works great as a protein here, you’re welcome to sub in some cooked shrimp, salmon, ground pork, or roasted chickpeas, or just leave out the additional protein altogether — the salad will still be delish!

This salad also holds up nicely in the fridge for up to a day or so. So if you’re looking to do some meal prep the night beforehand, or you need a great salad to bring along to a picnic or bbq or potluck, this one is a fantastic recipe to have in your repertoire. Just do yourself a favor and make a double batch of that peanut dressing while you’re at it — you’re definitely going to want to drizzle it on everything.

Let’s make some salad together!

Thai Crunch Salad Ingredients

Here are a few brief notes about the ingredients you will need to make this Thai-inspired crunchy chopped salad recipe:

• Cabbage: I really love using shredded Napa cabbage for this recipe, but feel free to use any other type of shredded cabbage, cole slaw blend, or salad greens that you love best.
• Chicken (optional): I just shredded a rotisserie chicken to keep things quick and easy, but you could also dice or shred my baked chicken breasts recipe or read on below for alternatives to chicken.
• Crispy wonton strips: I absolutely love the flavor and crunchy texture that a handful of crispy wonton strips adds to this recipe and highly recommend tossing some in! You can either purchase store-bought crispy wonton strips or make your own by cutting wonton wrappers into strips and frying in oil until crispy.
• Fresh herbs: I highly recommend adding a generous amount of fresh cilantro and mint to this salad, which really freshens up the flavors. If you happen to have some fresh Thai basil on hand, it would be wonderful here too!
• Veggies: We’ll use a simple mix of carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper, which I recommend thinly slicing or julienning for a nice chopped salad texture.
• Scallions: We’ll slice both white and green parts to add to the salad.
• Peanuts: Finally, we’ll toss in lots of salted peanuts (plain or dry-roasted) to add extra peanut flavor and crunch. Although if you cannot eat peanuts, please see below for some delicious nut or seed alternatives!

Peanut Dressing Ingredients

Here are the ingredients I recommend using to make a perfectly-balanced Thai peanut dressing:

• Natural creamy peanut butter: I wrote this recipe using natural peanut butter made from 100% peanuts, which is what we keep on hand in our house. You’re welcome to swap in traditional creamy peanut butter, but you will likely need to thin the dressing out with a bit of extra water.
• Lime juice: Freshly-squeezed lime juice serves as the acid in this dressing and adds such delicious, bright flavor.
• Soy sauce: I recommend using low-sodium soy sauce, or you can use tamari as a gluten-free alternative.
• Ginger and garlic: I recommend grating (or very finely mincing) fresh ginger and garlic so that they mix easily into this dressing.
• Toasted sesame oil: A little goes a long way here, so I recommend adding just a teaspoon to perfectly round out the flavors of the dressing.
• Water: Finally, feel free to add as much or as little water as needed to thin out the dressing to your desired consistency.

Recipe Variations

Here are some more yummy variations that you’re welcome to try with this Thai crunch salad recipe:

• Use a different protein: Swap cooked shrimp, salmon, ground pork or roasted chickpeas for the chicken.
• Use different nuts/seeds: Swap cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds or pepitas for the peanuts.
• Use different veggies: Swap or add in any other salad-friendly veggies you love, such as avocado, broccoli, shredded Brussels or sugar snap peas.
• Use chow mein noodles: Swap crispy chow mein noodles for the crispy wonton strips.
• Add fruit: Add in some chopped mango, pineapple, or fresh mandarin slices.
• Add some heat: Add some sliced jalapeño, serrano or Thai bird chiles for heat.

More Chopped Salad Recipes

Looking for more chopped salad recipes to try? Here are a few of our favorites:

• Blueberry Chopped Chicken Salad
• Chipotle Cheddar Chopped Salad
• Italian Chopped Salad
• Chicken Bacon Avocado Chopped Salad

Thai Crunch Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews

• Author: Ali
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 3 to 4 servings

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Ingredients

Salad Ingredients:

• 4 cups thinly shredded Napa cabbage
• 2 cups (about 8 ounces) shredded cooked chicken
• 2 cups fried wonton strips, homemade* or store-bought
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2/3 cup chopped fresh mint
• 2/3 cup julienned carrots
• 2/3 cup julienned English cucumber
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced (both white and green parts)
• 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup salted peanuts

Peanut Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup natural creamy peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 large cloves garlic, grated
• 1/4 cup water

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Instructions

1. Make the peanut dressing. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until evenly combined. If the dressing seems too thick, add in a tablespoon of water at a time to thin until it reaches your desired consistency.
2. Toss the salad. Combine all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl, drizzle with the dressing, and toss to combine.
3. Serve. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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