Lively, Bold, Fresh Salads From Fresh Express

MISSION, KS--(Marketwire - Jun 20, 2011) - (Family Features) Slip into the freedom of flip-flops and retune your mood to the joys of fresh summertime suppers. And does any dish sing "summer" with more gusto than salad?

Savvy cooks look for ways to serve summer-on-a-plate -- which means a harmony of color, bursting flavors and seasonal favorites. Robust lettuce blends from the refrigerated salad section of your local market offer inspiring jump-starts to spirited, satisfying meals. The superior freshness, quality, taste and variety of signature Fresh Express salad blends make summertime meals "in the bag."

A zesty combo of green and red leaf lettuces, butter lettuce, romaine and radicchio, the 5-Lettuce Mix is sure to delight those who love variety, color and exceptional taste. Fancy Greens is a gourmet blend of special romaine, green tango lettuce, radicchio and shredded carrots, delivering interesting textures, color and bold flavor.

Your choice of colorful ready-to-serve fancy lettuce blends, hearty greens and tender baby lettuce varieties becomes the inspiration for warm weather eating. Spectacular seasonal salad additions could include:

-- Grill goodies: Seared shrimp, sliced grilled steak, sausage kabobs, grill-roasted vegetables, diced marinated pork chops, grilled salmon or chicken skewers.

-- Farmer's market favorites: Fresh spring peas, roasted asparagus spears, spring onions, local tomato wedges, sliced radishes, sweet corn, minced garden-fresh herbs, diced cucumber, steamed green beans, sliced peppers.

-- Deli delights: Thinly sliced hard salami, shredded rotisserie chicken, olive bar offerings, roasted turkey, cold crabmeat, diced honey baked ham.

-- Pantry possibilities: Toasted almonds or other nuts, canned tuna, cannellini or black beans, marinated artichoke hearts, chickpeas, roasted red peppers, garlic croutons, artisan vinegars, extra virgin olive oil.

-- From the fridge: Hard cooked eggs, crumbled feta or blue cheese, diced crisp bacon, shredded cheddar.

-- Fruit fancies: Cubed watermelon, avocado wedges, diced cantaloupe, juicy grapes, sliced kiwifruit, fresh blueberries, peach or plum wedges.

Turn up the volume on your salad imagination with fresh ideas for salads and dressings at www.FreshExpress.com.

Place greens, cucumber, bell pepper and kiwifruit in large shallow bowl. Drizzle Ginger Vinaigrette over and toss gently. Divide salad among four dinner plates; arrange sliced steak atop each salad and serve immediately.

Ginger Vinaigrette: In medium jar with tight fitting lid place 5 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon orange juice, 1 teaspoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pinch of black pepper; secure lid and shake jar well to blend.

In small bowl whisk together orange juice, zest, grated ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, mustard and pepper. Slowly add oil, whisking to blend well. Use immediately to marinate steak before grilling: Place one strip steak in large self-sealing bag, pour marinade over and refrigerate for 6 to 8 hours, or overnight. Remove steak from marinade, pat dry with paper towels and grill over direct heat to desired doneness. Allow steak to rest 5 minutes before slicing thinly to arrange atop salad.

Place lettuce, melon, onion, radishes and olives in large salad bowl; drizzle with vinaigrette and toss gently but thoroughly. Portion salad onto six salad plates; top each salad with feta.

Honey Garlic Vinaigrette: In medium jar with tight-fitting lid place 1/2 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 minced shallot, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; secure lid and shake jar well to blend.

Produce Wash Breakthrough
Fresh Express Fresh Rinse™ is a cutting-edge, eco-friendly produce wash, used only by Fresh Express, that provides outstanding effectiveness in cleaning lettuce and leafy greens. This bold new scientific discovery means that consumers can enjoy the quality, taste and variety they've come to expect from Fresh Express salads, but now with an added benefit. This new produce wash also meets the strict requirements for use on products labeled organic.

Years of research and investment led to the discovery of this new produce wash that dramatically reduces the potential for bacteria to be present. Fresh Rinse™ produce wash is just the latest in salad innovations introduced by industry leader Fresh Express.