3 Colorful Salad Recipes

A bowl of fresh green salad is an ideal everyday snack. However, using the usual greens and dressing can make it look and taste bland easily. Take your salads a notch higher and go for these delicious recipes that are full of color!

Rainbow Salad With Rosewater Dressing

What you need:

• 4 large tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cucumber, chopped
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1 teaspoon rose water
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste

In a large bowl, whisk together mint, red wine vinegar, water, rose water salt and ground black pepper until mixture is smooth. In a separate large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell pepper and tomatoes. Pour rose water dressing over fruits and vegetables and stir to coat evenly. Serve immediately.

Tri-Color Pasta Green Salad

What you need:

• 1 large head broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 cups Italian-style salad dressing
• 1 1/4 cups diced American cheese
• 1 kilogram tri-color spiral pasta (uncooked)

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling and lightly salted water for 8 to 10 minutes until al dente. Drain and allow to cool for a few minutes. Place pasta in a large serving bowl and toss with broccoli florets, Italian-style dressing and rehydrated American cheese. Serve immediately.

Colorful Mexican-Style Bean Salad

What you need:

• 1 red onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 3/4 cups black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 3/4 cups cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 3/4 cups kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/4 cups frozen corn kernels
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• A dash of hot pepper sauce

Mix together 3 kinds of beans, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, corn kernels and onion in a large bowl. Set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, cilantro, lime juice, white sugar, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, cumin, chili powder and hot pepper sauce. Pour mixture over vegetables and toss to coat well. Serve immediately.

Now you can forget boring-looking and sad-tasting salads! Try these healthy, colorful and flavorful recipes that will surely satisfy your appetite!

Adrian T. Cheng is a food blogger who promotes healthy eating. He has written numerous posts and articles about natural herbs and spices, shared countless of delicious and healthy recipes and reviewed kitchen accessories that are affordable yet of quality. You can view Adrian's posts about going green and other nutrition tips and tricks on his page.