One of the best things about being a food blogger has got to be the free books and food I occasionally receive for review. The yummiest thing I’ve received this summer has been Terry Hope Romero‘s new cookbook, Salad Samurai. She truly is a samurai, and this book will make you one too. The recipes are unique, colorful, and varied. Plus, there are super healthy recipes like the Green Papaya Salad with Lemongrass Tofu, and more comfort food salads like the BBQ Tempeh N’ Dilly Slaw Bowl, for instance. The book is also divided into sections for each season, and it has me looking forward to winter so I can try the Beet Ball N’ Fries Salad. Okay, I’m exaggerating, it’s impossible to make me look forward for winter. Still, like all of Terry’s cookbooks this one rocks!
Remember that Samosa Cauliflower recipe I shared a couple of weeks ago? That was adapted from the Coconut Samosa Potato Salad in this book.
Have you gotten your hands on Salad Samurai yet? What recipes have you tried?
Polish Summer Soba Salad
Ingredients
For the Soba Salad
- 1 ⁄2 pound uncooked beets peeled and diced
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil divided
- 1 ⁄4 teaspoon celery seeds
- Pinch of salt and a few twists of freshly ground black pepper
- 6 ounces soba noodles
- 2 scallions green part only, thinly sliced
- 1 English cucumber peeled and sliced into thin half-moons
- 1 cup cooked white beans
- 3 tablespoons chopped roasted walnuts
For the Dill Dressing
- 1 ⁄2 cup finely chopped fresh dill
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 4 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon organic granulated sugar
- 1 ⁄2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the diced beets on the parchment paper, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil, celery seeds, salt, and pepper and toss. Roast for 20 minutes, or until tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Prepare the soba noodles according to package directions, but slightly undercook them to al dente. Drain, rinse with plenty of cold water, and transfer to a mixing bowl.
- In another mixing bowl, combine the scallions, cucumber, and white beans. Whisk the dressing ingredients together in a glass measuring cup or bowl, pour half over the bean and vegetable mixture, and toss. Add the remaining dressing to the soba noodles and toss.
- Divide the soba noodles among serving bowls and twirl into a mound in the center of each bowl. Spoon the bean and vegetable mixture over the soba, garnish with roasted beets, and sprinkle with roasted walnuts.
Leave a comment below and let me know what recipes from the book you’ve tried. Also tell me if you loved this recipe! I’ll also be sure to pass the message along to Terry.
Amanda / August 3, 2014 at 3:05 am /
I love a good ceasar salad
Resourceful Cookie / August 1, 2014 at 7:20 pm /
One of my favorite salads is wilted greens with lentils, mushrooms and tomatoes. I really enjoy the blog and look forward to the videos.
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / August 3, 2014 at 12:39 pm /
Sounds pretty tasty! I adore lentils 🙂 Thank you so much. More videos on the way <3
Sonja Hilton / August 1, 2014 at 8:51 am /
Chinese salad without the chicken or a chicken like substitute.. I also like using peanut sauce or tahini sauce for dressings
Deborah Davis / August 1, 2014 at 2:46 am /
Hi Jenne,
My most favorite salad lately is my Sweet Potato Kale Quinoa Salad with Creamy Coconut Curry Dressing. The blend of flavors and textures tastes amazing. I am sure this might appeal to your “Sweet Potato Soul”! I love to make and eat large, multi-flavored bowls of organic, vegan salads with all kinds of homemade dressings. The sky is the limit. I’d love to win this Salad Samarai Cookbook! More salads to love!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / August 1, 2014 at 5:39 am /
Oh my Deborah! That salad sounds absolutely delicious. Where is the recipe??!?!?!?!
Deborah Davis / August 1, 2014 at 8:56 pm /
Hi Jenne,
Glad you like this! The Sweet Potato Kale Quinoa Salad with Creamy Coconut Curry Dressing is at:
http://urbannaturale.com/meatless-monday-sweet-potato-kale-quinoa-salad-with-creamy-coconut-curry-dressing/
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / August 3, 2014 at 12:39 pm /
You’re the best! Thank you 🙂 xo
Hazel / August 1, 2014 at 1:34 am /
Love your blog so much! My favorite salad is baby greens, quinoa and beans, my favorite salad dressings are pesto, chipotle aioli, and spicy peanut sauce.
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / August 1, 2014 at 5:40 am /
Thank you Hazel!! Wow, your favorite dressings sound really good. I’m addicted to pesto lately 🙂
paula9 / July 31, 2014 at 10:01 pm /
a greek quinoa salad… lots of cuke, tom, oreg, olives, pepponcini..grape leaves..
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / August 1, 2014 at 5:41 am /
thumbs up big time!!
Michelle / July 31, 2014 at 8:34 pm /
My favorite salad is something super easy. I’m a terribly lazy salad-maker. Actually, I’m a terribly lazy cook!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / August 1, 2014 at 5:43 am /
Easy is good!! You will probably like this book. This recipe is also super easy, healthy, and tasty.
Michelle / July 31, 2014 at 7:37 pm /
My most favorite summer salad is spinach with strawberries, bluberries, walnuts, & bluecheese or feta (I eat vegetarian not quite to vegan yet because I love cheese!) with a homemade raspberry vinegrette. Oh yummy!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 31, 2014 at 8:13 pm /
Mmmm, fruity salad! I’m allergic to cashews, but I hear that the fancy cashew based cheeses are da bomb!! Have you tried them yet?
kneave / July 31, 2014 at 7:19 pm /
A salad that includes hot or cold roast veg. Yum. My very fave salad is one made and shared by someone else! 😉
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 31, 2014 at 8:12 pm /
Yes indeed!
Onile / July 31, 2014 at 6:58 pm /
Lately, I have really been into simple salads, like cucumbers, tomato, basil, garlic with a bit do apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, salt and pepper. All veggies and basil from our garden.
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 31, 2014 at 7:11 pm /
mmmmm! Simple is good 🙂
Trezlen / July 31, 2014 at 6:49 pm /
My favorite salad used to be a Greek salad. I loved the mix of greens and add-ons. I haven’t yet tried to make it vegan….
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 31, 2014 at 7:10 pm /
Oh yeah! I wonder if it’s any good with tofu http://vegetarian.about.com/od/soupssalads/r/veggreeksalad.htm Also, I like to make almond “feta”. Would probably be a good replacement…
ammauceri / July 31, 2014 at 6:39 pm /
My favorite salad is a white bean/quinoa/beet salad that I get while I’m visiting Boulder…I will never be able to recreate it, I am sure, so I just dream of it from afar! 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 31, 2014 at 6:40 pm /
Oooh! Where is that salad at in Boulder? I’ll be in CO in a few weeks 😉
ammauceri / July 31, 2014 at 7:13 pm /
A place called “Next Door.” Get the Kale Chips!! And a margarita! 🙂
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 31, 2014 at 8:11 pm /
Oh my Gosh! Thank you 🙂
Terri Jones Cole / July 31, 2014 at 6:30 pm /
My favorite salads are meals in a bowl type salads like this one. I love a big hearty bowl of greens, beans, some kind of roasted veg and a home-made dressing. (and now I’m hungry)
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 31, 2014 at 6:41 pm /
Now I’m hungry too Terri!
Dana Roberts / July 31, 2014 at 6:18 pm /
summer salads for me always mean fresh tomatoes and basil!! Throw in a little bit of raw corn straight of the cob and I am super happy : )
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 31, 2014 at 6:41 pm /
ahhhh! Perfection 🙂
Shanae / July 31, 2014 at 6:12 pm /
I need to eat more beets, so I think I’ll give this one a shot.
I’m a big fan of kale salad (with green apples and cranberries), but maybe I should lay off the kale for a little bit 🙂
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 31, 2014 at 6:42 pm /
Haha! Shanae, I eat so much kale too. In green juice, smoothies, salads, pestos! kale kale kale!! It’s just so good right? I’m also crazy about arugula!
Lisa Marie Berry / July 31, 2014 at 4:37 pm /
A corn and sprout salad with green onions and maple tempeh
Angie / July 30, 2014 at 7:24 pm /
Looks good, I am a salad girl,I will have to try this one.
Monique / July 30, 2014 at 5:16 pm /
This looks amazing! It’s funny that I’ve never considered putting beets in my salad. I usually juice or steam them. 🙂
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 30, 2014 at 7:10 pm /
I like to add shredded beets in my salad, but these roasted beets are so much yummier!! Steamed is good too 🙂 Yummy!!
AB / July 30, 2014 at 5:12 pm /
Looks delicious!!
Marie / July 29, 2014 at 10:54 pm /
My salads usually have greens. beans, avocados, walnuts, hemp seeds, and any veggies that I have on hand. I need to check out this cookbook for some inspiration!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 30, 2014 at 2:09 am /
Mmmmmmm!!! Bean, greens, and avocados are my favorite combo 🙂
naturally4me / July 29, 2014 at 10:12 pm /
I think you are amazing! I discovered your blog from Urbanbushbabes and I’m so glad that I did!..love this recipe. You have restarted my journey of eating healthier..I’m not sure if I will become a vegan but you have inspired me to begin my journey again of becoming a healthier me..Thanks!!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 30, 2014 at 2:11 am /
Thank you so very much! I’m so happy to hear from you. Keep me posted on your healthy eating journey. Feel free to email me with questions if you ever have any 🙂 xo
naturally4me / July 29, 2014 at 9:52 pm /
I think your are amazing! I found your blog from Urban Bush Babes and clicked over and I’m so so glad that I did!..you have renewed my desire to to eat healthier..not sure about becoming a vegan but you have definitely inspired me to re-start my journey of becomung a healthier me…Thanks!
Timeisha Winfield / July 29, 2014 at 8:27 pm /
Looks yummy, can’t wait to try out the recipes!!!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 30, 2014 at 2:12 am /
Bon appetit Timeisha 😉
Rhona / July 29, 2014 at 1:15 pm /
I am not the biggest fan of beets but I think roasted would be amazng. This salad looks so delicious and satifying (something that is good in a salad). I need to make this.
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 29, 2014 at 7:19 pm /
Yes! This is super satisfying. And the beets!!! Oh my!!
Elisabeth / July 29, 2014 at 2:10 am /
This looks so good! I love beets, cucumbers, dill, and white beans, but I would never have thought to combine them with soba noodles and rice vinegar – it’s like an Eastern European/Asian fusion. As for my favorite salad, I think it would have to be one made with a variety of colors and contrasting flavors, such as mesclun greens, shredded purple cabbage, shredded carrots, diced bell peppers, sliced cucmbers, olives, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, and avocado with a raspberry vinaigrette.
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 29, 2014 at 7:18 pm /
Yum, your ideal salad sounds amazing. I love that it has avocado and raspberry vinaigrette. Sounds like the perfect combo!
Terry is so creative! I don’t think I could have come up with that combo either 🙂
Dana / July 29, 2014 at 1:42 am /
Looks delicious! I love all kinds of salads! I really like avocado on my salads, especially massaged into some kale.
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 29, 2014 at 7:19 pm /
Girl, YES!! Avocado massaged into kale is my favorite thing. And with some beans or marinated tempeh. Yes please!!
Shannon Hickman / July 28, 2014 at 9:31 pm /
I love literally any kind of salad! But my favorites are those that have really exotic combos of flavors. I think the perfect salad is full of color and different textures and flavor types (salty, sweet, etc). This book looks just wonderful!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 28, 2014 at 11:31 pm /
I totally agree with your perfect salad Shannon! This book is full of those 😉
Ellen / July 28, 2014 at 9:18 pm /
lots of favorite salads, but I especially like cold sesame noodle salads 🙂
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 28, 2014 at 11:31 pm /
mmmm!! Me too. You’re going to love this salad Ellen 🙂
mcnappy / July 28, 2014 at 9:09 pm /
I admit, the roasting beets thing has me a bit gun shy-but this salad is making me want to take the plunge!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 28, 2014 at 11:33 pm /
Do it! Do it! Do it! Let me know what you think of it. The next time I make this salad I think I might roast some carrots to go in there along with the beets 🙂
Emily Nolan / July 28, 2014 at 7:17 pm /
KALE SALAD!!!! It’s constantly on a summer rotation…sometimes with gazpacho. Loved your video!! XO
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 28, 2014 at 11:33 pm /
Thanks for watching Emily! Can’t wait to make a video with you 🙂 I love gazpacho too. Especially watermelon gazpacho!! xo
Danette Dizzle Rivera / July 28, 2014 at 6:44 pm /
Looks gorgeous!
Jenné @ Sweet Potato Soul / July 28, 2014 at 11:34 pm /
Thanks so much Danette! It’s pretty tasty 🙂