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17 "What is That?" Recipes Your Grandma Would Never Approve Of

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Get ready to discover 17 unique salads that might make your grandma do a double-take. These recipes bring together unexpected ingredients and flavors that challenge traditional salad norms. From tangy dressings to surprising combinations, each salad offers a fresh take on a classic dish. Perfect for anyone looking to shake up their usual salad routine with something new and exciting.

Side view of white bean salad in bowl with tongs.
Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad)

Overhead view of hand lifting a spoon of salad.
Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad). Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This vibrant Russian vinaigrette salad combines beets, carrots, and potatoes for a colorful dish that might surprise your grandma. It takes about 40 minutes to prepare and has a tangy, earthy flavor. The root vegetables are complemented by sauerkraut and peas, making it a standout among traditional salads. Perfect for those looking for a unique, hearty side.
Get the Recipe: Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Root Vegetable Salad)

Salmon Salad with Bagel

A vibrant salad with smoked salmon slices, fresh dill, tomatoes, onions, and crispbread, drizzled with a creamy dressing, served quickly on a white platter.
Salmon Salad with Bagel. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This salmon salad pairs smoked salmon with bagel pieces for a savory and filling dish that breaks from tradition. In about 20 minutes, you can enjoy this mix of salmon, capers, and red onions. The salad has a rich, smoky taste, making it perfect for brunch or a light dinner. A simple, yet satisfying option.
Get the Recipe: Salmon Salad with Bagel

Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning

There are those flavours you taste once, only to never forget again. This avocado salad with dukkah seasoning is the perfect balance of savoury and fresh.
Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Featuring fresh tomatoes and creamy avocado, this salad is enhanced with dukkah seasoning for a nutty, spiced flavor. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare, making it a quick and tasty option that might bewilder your grandma. The combination of ingredients provides a refreshing and satisfying taste. Ideal for a light lunch or side dish.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Avocado Salad with Dukkah Seasoning

Spring Fiddlehead Salad with Dill-Lemon Balm Kefir Dressing

A bowl of colorful fiddlehead salad featuring grilled mushrooms, sliced radishes, mixed greens, and edible flowers, garnished with fresh herbs, presented on a wooden table.
Spring Fiddlehead Salad with Dill-Lemon Balm Kefir Dressing. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Fiddleheads take center stage in this spring salad, paired with a dill-lemon balm kefir dressing for a tangy, fresh taste your grandma might not recognize. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare, offering a unique and seasonal dish. The fiddleheads' earthy flavor is complemented by the creamy dressing. Perfect for a light, refreshing meal.
Get the Recipe: Spring Fiddlehead Salad with Dill-Lemon Balm Kefir Dressing

Fennel Salad with Pears, Apples, and Mustard

A white plate contains a dish made from thinly sliced fennel and pear, topped with mustard seeds and garnished with fennel fronds. The dish has a light, fresh appearance with a mix of white and yellow tones.
Fennel Salad with Pears, Apples, and Mustard. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This fennel salad combines crunchy fennel with sweet pears and apples, all tied together with a mustard dressing. It takes around 15 minutes to prepare and offers a blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors that might puzzle grandma. The fennel adds a licorice-like taste, making it a distinctive dish. Great for a unique side or light meal.
Get the Recipe: Fennel Salad with Pears, Apples, and Mustard

Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

A glass bowl filled with quick cucumber salad, featuring thinly sliced cucumbers and fresh dill, mixed with a creamy white dressing.
Ukrainian Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Featuring crisp cucumbers, this Ukrainian salad is fresh and simple, yet might surprise your grandma with its straightforward flavors. Ready in just 10 minutes, it includes dill and a light vinegar dressing. The cucumbers' cool taste is enhanced by the dill's aromatic flavor. A perfect, quick side dish.
Get the Recipe: Ukrainian Cucumber Salad

Colombian Fruit Salad

Colombian fruit salad in pineapple.
Colombian Fruit Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This Colombian fruit salad is a vibrant mix of tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and papaya. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and offers a refreshing, sweet taste that could surprise grandma's palate. The addition of lime juice adds a zesty kick. Ideal for a healthy dessert or snack.
Get the Recipe: Colombian Fruit Salad

Berry Salad with Red Onions, Arugula, Nuts, and Pomegranate Arils

A quick mixed berry salad with pomegranate seeds, blackberries, and chopped nuts served in a wooden bowl, accompanied by a whole pomegranate and apple, with wooden serving utensils
Berry Salad with Red Onions, Arugula, Nuts, and Pomegranate Arils. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

Combining sweet berries with peppery arugula, this salad is a delightful mix of flavors that grandma might find intriguing. Ready in about 15 minutes, it includes red onions, nuts, and pomegranate arils for added crunch and tang. The berries' sweetness contrasts with the arugula's bite. Perfect for a fresh and nutritious meal.
Get the Recipe: Berry Salad with Red Onions, Arugula, Nuts, and Pomegranate Arils

Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad

A decorative plate holds three slices of a purple-colored dessert topped with small red and black sprinkles. The plate has an ornate floral design along the rim, and the dessert is arranged in a triangular formation. The surface under the plate is wooden.
Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This salad pairs pickled beets with crisp cucumbers for a tangy and refreshing dish that might not be in grandma's recipe box. It takes around 20 minutes to prepare and features a simple vinaigrette dressing. The beets' earthiness is balanced by the cucumbers' cool taste. A unique and tasty side option.
Get the Recipe: Pickled Beet Cucumber Salad

Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

A colorful salad in a white bowl containing chopped red and yellow bell peppers, roasted sweet potatoes, chickpeas, red onions, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a dollop of a creamy dressing, with a silver spoon resting on the side. An orange napkin is to the right.
Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This salad features pearl couscous with a mix of Moroccan spices for a flavorful dish that might surprise grandma. Ready in about 30 minutes, it includes chickpeas, dried fruit, and fresh herbs. The couscous has a chewy texture and rich taste. Perfect for a filling and exotic meal.
Get the Recipe: Moroccan Pearl Couscous Salad

Tabbouleh Salad with Feta

A plate of bulgur salad garnished with pomegranate seeds and crumbled feta cheese. The hearty salad, featuring chopped parsley and finely diced olives, is served on a white plate set upon a wooden surface.
Tabbouleh Salad with Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This tabbouleh salad combines bulgur wheat with fresh herbs and crumbled feta for a refreshing taste that steps away from grandma's classic dishes. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare, featuring tomatoes, cucumbers, and a lemon dressing. The feta adds a creamy, salty flavor. Ideal for a light and healthy meal.
Get the Recipe: Tabbouleh Salad with Feta

Goat Cheese Salad

A plate of goat cheese salad with leafy greens, crumbled cheese, sliced almonds, red onions, and a variety of berries. The plate is garnished with two wooden spoons. A small bowl of red dressing is placed next to the plate, all set on a white wooden surface.
Goat Cheese Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This salad pairs creamy goat cheese with a mix of greens and a light vinaigrette. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare, offering a quick and delicious meal that might surprise grandma. The goat cheese adds a rich, tangy flavor. Perfect for a simple yet satisfying dish.
Get the Recipe: Goat Cheese Salad

Spicy Citrus Salad with Pistachios

A vibrant citrus salad featuring slices of orange, grapefruit, and blood orange from Grandma's recipes, garnished with chopped pistachios on a white plate, with whole citrus fruits and a lime half visible in the background.
Spicy Citrus Salad with Pistachios. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This salad features a mix of citrus fruits with a spicy kick and crunchy pistachios. Ready in about 15 minutes, it offers a refreshing and tangy taste that might leave grandma curious. The citrus provides a zesty flavor, balanced by the pistachios. A perfect, unique side dish.
Get the Recipe: Spicy Citrus Salad with Pistachios

Fried Halloumi Salad

Large plate of fried halloumi salad with wine glass.
Fried Halloumi Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This salad features fried halloumi cheese, giving it a rich and savory taste that grandma might find surprising. Ready in about 20 minutes, it includes a mix of greens and a light dressing. The halloumi's salty flavor adds a unique twist. Perfect for a hearty and delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Fried Halloumi Salad

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

A bowl of carrot and potato salad on a wooden table.
Potato Salad. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This Russian potato salad, also known as Olivier salad, combines potatoes, peas, and pickles for a hearty dish that might surprise your grandma. Ready in about 30 minutes, it features a creamy mayonnaise dressing. The potatoes provide a soft texture, complemented by the crunchy pickles. A classic and filling side.
Get the Recipe: Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Side view of white bean salad in bowl with tongs.
Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This Mediterranean salad combines white beans with crumbled feta and fresh herbs for a flavorful dish that might surprise grandma. Ready in about 15 minutes, it includes a lemon vinaigrette. The beans provide a hearty texture, complemented by the creamy feta. A quick and delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean White Bean Salad with Feta

Korean Kohlrabi Salad

A close-up of a bowl filled with a colorful noodle salad. The salad includes thin white noodles, sprinkled with chopped nuts, seeds, and dried cranberries. Wooden salad tongs are resting on the edge of the bowl.
Korean Kohlrabi Salad. Photo Credits: At the Immigrant's Table

This Korean kohlrabi salad offers a crunchy and spicy flavor, featuring fresh kohlrabi. Ready in about 20 minutes, it includes a mix of chili flakes and vinegar. The kohlrabi provides a crisp texture, balanced by the spicy dressing. A unique and tasty side that might surprise grandma.
Get the Recipe: Korean Kohlrabi Salad

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About Ksenia

Welcome to At The Immigrant's Table! I blend my immigrant roots with modern diets, crafting recipes that take you on a global kitchen adventure. As a food blogger and photographer, I'm dedicated to making international cuisine both healthy and accessible. Let's embark on a culinary journey that bridges cultures and introduces a world of flavors right into your home. Read more...

TOP 5 MIDDLE EASTERN RECIPES

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