Discover gourmet composed salad recipes (salade composée) – colorful, healthy and full of flavor! These French-style layered salads are perfect for BBQ parties, work lunches or light dinners. Learn how to combine fresh vegetables, pasta, cheese and proteins into one delicious meal. Recipe serves 4, only 320 calories, ready in 25 minutes! Perfect for meal prep and elegant entertaining. Features mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, feta cheese, olives and your choice of protein. Easy to customize and make ahead!
Salade composee is also known as a ‘salades compose’. It is a fancy name for the salad that can be prepared as a main course or a side dish, sometimes even using pasta. This salad recipe can also be used for BBQ parties or for light lunch servings. In this cooking guide you can see the recipe for cold pasta salad ‘salade de pates froide’, full meal salad ‘salade repas complet’ and thin meal salad ‘salade compose minceur’. Enjoy the recipes!
This vibrant display showcases all the essential ingredients needed to create a perfect gourmet composed salad. The fresh mixed greens provide a nutritious base, while colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers add visual appeal and crunch. The combination of protein-rich chicken, creamy feta cheese, and aromatic herbs creates a balanced foundation for this Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Know your Composed Salads
Salades compose (composed salads) are a delicious way to eat your meal or sometimes even as a starter. They are easy to make, and you can even prepare them for a barbeque party or pack for a light lunch at work. So you can have it in different sizes, which would also depend on what ingredients are you using for the salads.
It is a good thing that a composed salad is a flexible one that you can make anytime and enjoy the tastiest. You can combine the ingredients to make a healthy full meal or a salad as ‘salade repas complet’ or a full course one ‘salade gourmande’. A cold pasta salad or ‘salade de pates froide’ can also be a part of the menu for a barbeque.
A Rainbow of Ingredients
A large serving bowl is loaded with a variety of vegetables and colorful components with garnished cheese and olives or the ‘salade composee. The fine pieces of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber pieces, onion slices and colorful capsicum or green or red peppers with some feta cheese and black olives make it an interesting and refreshing salad.
They not only look tempting but also taste wonderful as they make it a complete nutritional meal. The red and green and yellow or purple colors of the vegetables as well as olives add richness to the ‘presentation salade composee’ and look very mouthwatering.
Laying in Layers
In order to make a proper salad composee, you have to layer the base as that would add taste and texture as you make it. The first thing is to create a base of mixed greens and then the later to include a generous amount of veggies such as cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.
The next to add a protein to the salad so that it becomes a complete and filling meal as the protein portion could be cooked chicken or even beans such as chickpeas. You can also lay some feta cheese or mozzarella balls and olives on the top as this adds great flavor to the vegetable components of the salad.
The art of composing a gourmet salad lies in the careful layering technique shown here. Starting with a base of fresh mixed greens and pasta, each ingredient is thoughtfully arranged to create both visual impact and flavor balance. The methodical process of building layers ensures every bite contains the perfect combination of textures and tastes, from crisp vegetables to creamy cheese.
Dress it and Decorate it
Make the salad look attractive by giving it a drizzle of the right amount of dressing over the top, for example, olive oil and vinegar so that it covers all the components.
You can also lightly season the salad with salt and pepper. One can even garnish the salad compose with some fresh herbs as it will not only add to the look of the salad, with the bright green color but also impart a nice freshness to it.
Recipe for All Occasions
The advantage of a compose salad is that it can be made for various occasions. You can make it as an accompaniment for barbeque parties, ‘accompagnement BBQ salade’ or even have them as a light meal itself.
You can also prepare it well in advance and have it at your workplace or home as a pre-cooked light and varied salad, as ‘salade variee’ or even at home on your busy days. It can be a course for light meal or along with a meal along with your choice of protein.
Nutritional Facts and Serving Options
A composed salad is not only visually appealing but is also very healthy to have. With some greens, a number of vegetables and sometimes the protein, you get the right nutrition as well as it is also low on calories, around 320 calories per serving.
The recipe would provide enough quantity and nutrients for four people to enjoy this health food as a whole serving. You can also serve it at the dining table in one large bowl so that all the members can serve themselves as per their requirements.
Pair with a crusty bread or light soup to enjoy a wholesome and yet a healthy and delicious meal with your family and friends.
Recipes for Varied Composed Salads
The composed salad ideas mentioned here will give a burst of flavors and textures from different recipes, right from vegetable salad ‘salade de legumes froide’ to healthy gourmet ones, satisfying your hunger pangs.
Perfect for meal preps and parties, these recipes can be made ahead of time or on the go and pair them with protein of your choice or a crusty bread. The salads are colorful and sure to be liked by all your family members, young or old.
Ingredients
- 2 cups mixed greens
- 1 cup cooked pasta (like fusilli or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1 cup cooked chicken or chickpeas for protein
- 1/2 cup feta cheese or mozzarella balls
- 1/4 cup olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs (such as basil, parsley)
- Olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper for dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the Base: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens and cooked pasta as the base of your salad.
- Add Vegetables: Layer in the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion for a colorful mix.
- Incorporate Protein: Add your choice of protein, such as cooked chicken or chickpeas, to make the salad more filling.
- Cheese and Olives: Sprinkle feta cheese or mozzarella balls and olives over the top for added flavor.
- Dress the Salad: Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine all ingredients.
- Garnish: Finish with fresh herbs for a burst of freshness and serve immediately or chill for later.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 4 servings
- Calories: 320kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
Gourmet Composed Salad Ideas
Course: Uncategorized4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalIngredients
2 cups mixed greens
1 cup cooked pasta (like fusilli or penne)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
1 cup cooked chicken or chickpeas for protein
1/2 cup feta cheese or mozzarella balls
1/4 cup olives, sliced
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh herbs (such as basil, parsley)
Olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper for dressing
Directions
- Prepare the Base: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens and cooked pasta as the base of your salad.
Add Vegetables: Layer in the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion for a colorful mix.
Incorporate Protein: Add your choice of protein, such as cooked chicken or chickpeas, to make the salad more filling.
Cheese and Olives: Sprinkle feta cheese or mozzarella balls and olives over the top for added flavor.
Dress the Salad: Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine all ingredients.
Garnish: Finish with fresh herbs for a burst of freshness and serve immediately or chill for later.
The finished gourmet composed salad is a feast for both the eyes and palate, presenting a rainbow of fresh ingredients in perfect harmony. This complete meal offers 320 calories of nutritious satisfaction, combining protein, vegetables, and healthy fats in one stunning presentation. The careful arrangement showcases the Mediterranean flavors while the fresh herb garnish adds the final touch of culinary elegance that makes this dish suitable for any occasion.
