Layered Picnic Salad with Yogurt Ranch Dressing

 

There is always a place in my heart for the old school bacon-and-iceberg lettuce layered salads of my childhood, but these days I am loving this healthier, more modern version. Standing in for the heavy mayo dressing is a light - but equally creamy and flavorful - yogurt ranch dressing. For vegetables, I use super-crunchy, sturdy vegetables like broccoli, radish and shredded cabbage that stand up to the dressing over time. Feel free to use this recipe as a template and experiment with whatever seasonal vegetables you have on hand, but be sure to layer the more delicate herbs and lettuces on the bottom and the sturdier vegetables on top. This will prevent the salad from getting soggy while it waits for you to give it a toss.

 
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Serves 6 to 8

Dressing

  • ¾ cup Greek yogurt (preferably 2% or higher)

  • ½ cup mayonnaise

  • 3 Tablespoons white wine vinegar

  • 1½ teaspoons granulated garlic

  • 1½ teaspoons granulated onion

  • ½ teaspoon dried dill 

  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley

  • Kosher salt and pepper

Salad

  • One 15-ounce can chickpeas

  • 2 cups loosely packed shredded romaine lettuce

  • 2 cups packed mixed torn herbs, such as mint, cilantro, dill and parsley

  • 2 cups loosely packed mixed sprouts, such as alfalfa, sunflower and radish

  • 2 cups loosely packed shredded red cabbage

  • 1 small English cucumber – halved, seeded and diced

  • 1 bunch radishes (about 6), trimmed and diced

  • 1 small head broccoli, florets and tender stems chopped

  • Snipped chives, for garnish

  • Freshly ground black pepper

1. Make the dressing In a medium bowl, whisk all of the ingredients plus 2 tablespoons of water together until smooth.  Season with salt and pepper.

2. Make the salad In a very large glass bowl or 3-quart trifle dish, layer the chickpeas, romaine, herbs, sprouts, cabbage, cucumber, radish and broccoli. Pour the dressing over the top. Garnish with snipped chives and pepper. When ready to serve, toss the salad until evenly coated with the dressing.

MAKE AHEAD The salad can be refrigerated for up to 5 hours in advance. Bring to room temperature before serving.