A lavish feast is always fun, delicious, and satisfying, but such a celebration also has a downside – very heavy and fatty food. We suggest you "lighten up" a few dishes and prepare salads without mayonnaise for your festive table. Catch a selection of very delicious recipes!
1. Warm Salad with Vegetables and Chicken
This bright and very juicy salad will be the main decoration of your table.
You will need: 0.4 kg chicken fillet, 150 g bell pepper, 300 g tomatoes, a bunch of lettuce, 50 ml each of soy sauce and olive oil, 15 ml balsamic vinegar.
Preparation: Marinate small pieces of chicken in spices and soy sauce for 15 minutes, then fry in olive oil for 5 minutes on each side, then set aside. Cut the bell pepper into strips and cook in the same pan for 3 minutes. Arrange lettuce leaves on a serving plate, then add sliced tomatoes, bell pepper, chicken, drizzle with vinegar, and you can also sprinkle with sesame seeds.
2. Caesar Salad
This version of the classic salad is very light and doesn't require rare or very expensive ingredients.
You will need: 150 g chicken fillet, 1 tomato, a couple of eggs, a few lettuce leaves, 2 slices of baguette, 30-40 ml olive oil, 15 ml lemon juice, mustard and sesame seeds to taste.
Preparation: Boil eggs hard, fry chicken strips, cut baguette into cubes and dry in the oven, chop tomatoes into wedges. Arrange lettuce on a plate, then all the prepared ingredients. Combine juice, mustard, oil, mix and pour the mixture over the salad, sprinkling with sesame seeds at the end.
3. "Korean-style" Salad
This crunchy and spicy salad without mayonnaise will be a great addition to shashlik.
You will need: 2 cucumbers, a small carrot, 1 bell pepper, 10 g sesame seeds, 40 ml soy sauce, 15 ml apple cider vinegar, a pinch of sugar, green onions, chili and garlic to taste.
Preparation: Cut cucumber, bell pepper, green onions into strips, finely chop garlic and chili, grate carrots, toast sesame seeds in a dry pan, then combine everything in one plate. Mix soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, spices (you can also add a little vegetable oil). Pour the dressing over the vegetables, mix and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
4. "Sushi" Salad without Mayonnaise
Preparing this salad requires precision and patience in creating layers, but the result is definitely worth it.
You will need: 150 g short-grain rice, a pinch of sugar, 25 ml rice vinegar, 3 nori sheets, 350 g lightly salted salmon, 1 cucumber, 200 g cream cheese or curd cheese, sesame seeds.
Preparation: Cook the rice, add vinegar, sugar and spices, let it cool. Cut the fish into mini-squares, and the cucumber into thin slices. Place a nori sheet on a plate (trim excess) rough side up, moisten your hands and spread 1/3 of the rice, spread 1/3 of the cheese, then add layers of cucumbers, fish, sesame seeds in the same proportion; repeat the entire cycle twice more. Leave the salad in the refrigerator for an hour.
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5. Squid Salad
A delicious salad without mayonnaise, perfect for those who follow a healthy diet.
You will need: 200 g squid, 150 g cucumbers, 2 boiled eggs, 1 red onion, a bunch of greens, half a teaspoon of mustard, 50 ml plain thick yogurt.
Preparation: Leave the squid in boiling water for 3 minutes, then change the water to cold, clean the fillets, cut into strips. Add cucumber sticks, large pieces of eggs, onion half-rings or wedges. Then add yogurt, mustard, herbs and spices. The salad is best served immediately after preparation.
6. "Beauty" Salad
Different flavors and their notes create an amazingly harmonious combination.
You will need: 300 g smoked chicken, the same amount of Napa cabbage, 1 pear, 50 g nuts, 60-70 ml sunflower oil, 20 g French mustard.
Preparation: Cut cabbage, chicken and pear into one bowl, add crushed nuts. Combine oil, mustard, spices, add to the rest of the ingredients and mix thoroughly.
7. Mushroom and Bean Salad
Affordable ingredients, ease of preparation, and rich flavor are the main advantages of this mayonnaise-free salad for a festive table!
You will need: 250 g each of canned beans and champignons, 1 onion and 1 carrot, 50 ml vegetable oil.
Preparation: Slice mushrooms, onion, and carrot thinly. First, lightly fry the vegetables, then add the mushrooms and cook until done. Place all ingredients in a salad bowl, drizzle with the oil remaining from sautéing, season with salt, and mix.
8. "Parmigiano" Salad
This Italian salad recipe will leave you feeling light, satisfied, and with a pleasant aftertaste.
You will need: 1 eggplant, 4 cherry tomatoes and 1 regular tomato, 200 g lettuce, 70 g mozzarella, breadcrumbs, 1 tsp sea salt, 10 ml balsamic vinegar, 20 ml olive oil, a handful of grated Parmesan.
Preparation: Sprinkle thin eggplant slices with sea salt and leave for 7 minutes, squeeze out excess liquid, coat in breadcrumbs, fry on all sides until golden brown, set aside on a napkin. Arrange torn lettuce leaves, cherry tomato quarters, mozzarella cubes, and cooled eggplant on a plate. Grate the tomato (without skin), add vinegar, olive oil, spices, and mix. Drizzle the salad with the mixture and sprinkle with Parmesan.
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9. Winter Salad without Mayonnaise
This is a very light salad with a pleasant sweet taste.
You will need: 300 g Napa cabbage, 1 apple, 1 carrot, 10 ml lemon juice, a pinch of dried fruit, 50 ml sour cream.
Preparation: Pour boiling water over dried fruit for a couple of minutes, then cut into thin strips, shred the cabbage, grate the carrot. Combine all ingredients, dress with sour cream.
10. Chicken and Olive Salad
An exquisite salad with a bright and rich flavor for a festive table.
You will need: 300 g chicken fillet, 100 g each of tomatoes, cucumbers, pitted olives, and grated hard cheese, 1.5 tablespoons French mustard, sesame seeds for garnish.
Preparation: Fry thin slices of meat, let the fat drain. Dice cheese, cucumber, tomato, and slice olives into rings, combine all ingredients. Add mustard, mix, sprinkle with sesame seeds.
11. Korean-style Pumpkin Salad
A real vitamin boost that will complement any side dish.
You will need: 0.4 kg pumpkin, 15 g honey, 1 onion, 50 ml sunflower oil, 30 ml apple cider vinegar, garlic, chili and seasoning for Korean-style carrots to taste.
Preparation: Grate the pumpkin pulp, add fried onion rings, spices, honey, garlic, pepper, vinegar. Pour in the oil used for frying, mix and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
12. Salmon and Avocado Salad
Juiciness, aroma, and rich flavor will make you fall in love with this salad.
You will need: 200 g lightly salted salmon, 1 avocado, 100 g each of bell pepper and cucumber, 30 g red onion, 200 g lettuce, 50-60 ml soy sauce, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, sesame seeds, 1 tsp honey and 0.5 tsp apple cider vinegar, a pinch of sugar and salt.
Preparation: Marinate onion feathers in vinegar, sugar, and salt, meanwhile cut cucumber, bell pepper, and avocado into strips. Tear lettuce by hand, chop fish, toast sesame seeds. Whisk soy sauce, mustard, honey (you can also add 1-2 tbsp sunflower oil) with a fork. Mix everything in several stages, serve immediately after preparation so the salad doesn't lose its freshness.
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13. "Flower Meadow" Salad without Mayonnaise
How about delicate seafood? Try making this juicy and melt-in-your-mouth salad!
You will need: 200 g each of canned octopus and shrimp, 1 bell pepper, 150 g radish, a bunch of lettuce, 5 pitted olives, 10 ml lemon juice, 15 ml olive oil.
Preparation: Arrange lettuce leaves on a plate, then sprinkle with sliced vegetables (rings or cubes). Add seafood, mix juice and oil, drizzle over the ingredients, garnish with olive rings.
14. Feta and Tuna Salad
Contrasting colors, a stunning aroma, and a successful combination of ingredients will delight your guests!
You will need: 185 g canned tuna, 100 g cherry tomatoes, a bunch of lettuce, 50 g feta cheese, 1 tablespoon each of olive oil, lemon juice, and black sesame seeds.
Preparation: Tear the lettuce by hand, arrange tuna pieces on top, halved cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese cubes. Mix oil, juice, and seasonings, drizzle over the salad, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
15. Mushroom and Pea Salad
Although this salad does not contain meat, it is still very nutritious and satisfying.
You will need: 300 g champignons, 250 g canned peas, 80 g onion, a couple of boiled eggs, sunflower oil for dressing.
Preparation: Cut onion and champignons into small pieces, fry, cool and add to diced eggs and peas. Mix, dress the salad with oil, you can also garnish with herbs.
16. "Crimean" Salad
A simple mayonnaise-free salad for a festive table with a unique taste, requiring no complex or lengthy preparation.
You will need: 350 g boiled green beans, 250 g champignons, 1 onion, a couple of garlic cloves, 1 tsp vinegar (9%), a pinch of sugar.
Preparation: Fry the mushrooms, slice the onion, adding vinegar, salt, sugar, and lightly crushing it with your hands. Combine all ingredients, mix well.
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17. Funchoza and Vegetable Salad
A light salad made from readily available ingredients won't keep you in the kitchen for long!
You will need: 150 g funchoza ("glass" noodles), 1 each of bell pepper, onion, carrot, cucumber, soy sauce to taste.
Preparation: Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, cut vegetables into sticks. Fry onion, carrot, and bell pepper, mix all ingredients, dress with soy sauce.
18. "Magnolia" Salad
This is a beautiful layered salad with a delicate taste. And all this even without a drop of mayonnaise!
You will need: 200 g chicken fillet, 5 eggs, 200 g crab sticks, 350 g canned corn, 10 ml apple cider vinegar, 5 g mustard.
Preparation: Boil chicken and eggs hard, for the dressing blend 2 eggs, 4 crab sticks, vinegar, mustard and a little corn concentrate. Then layer in the following order: chicken, eggs, corn, crab sticks. Spread dressing over each layer. Refrigerate for an hour.
19. Beef Salad
Vegetables and meat are, perhaps, a golden combination, and without mayonnaise, it will be surprisingly light.
You will need: 300 g beef fillet, 80 g each of bell pepper and cucumber, 70 g onion, oil for frying and dressing, garlic and lemon juice to taste.
Preparation: Fry thin slices of meat until done, cut bell pepper and cucumbers into strips, drizzle the latter with lemon juice. Combine everything, add onion half-rings and garlic, drizzle with a small amount of oil, salt, and mix.
20. "Cacık" Salad-Sauce
A simple Turkish dish that can be served on a festive table not only as a salad but also as a dressing or sauce for meat.
You will need: 1 cucumber, 40 ml thick sour cream, 2/3 tbsp dried mint, a couple of garlic cloves, 15 ml olive oil.
Preparation: Finely chop the cucumber, crush the garlic, add mint, pour in the oil. Dress with sour cream, mix and chill.