Forget Soup And Start Serving Your Salads In A Bread Bowl

Having fun with salad bread bowls

A simple white or wheat bread bowl serves as an excellent container for salads. However, experimenting with breads from various global cuisines can add an exciting twist to your salads, opening up a world of flavors and combinations.

For a creative take on a Mexican torta, transform a bolillo into a salad bowl by filling it with crisp lettuce, grilled chicken, diced tomatoes, avocado slices, pickled jalapeños, black beans, corn, and a zesty cilantro-lime dressing. Finish it off with crumbled queso fresco and a dash of chili powder for an extra kick. While it may look more like a bread plate than a bowl, a hollowed-out focaccia can transport you to the Amalfi Coast when filled with romaine lettuce, ripe tomatoes, red onions, chopped prosciutto and salami, Italian dressing, and a generous amount of Parmesan cheese.

To create pita bread bowls, microwave store-bought pitas for about 30 seconds to soften them. Lightly brush both sides with olive oil, then press them into oven-safe bowls to shape them. Place the bowls on a baking sheet and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the pita crisps up and retains its form. Fill the bowl with romaine lettuce, grilled lamb, fresh cucumber, pickled red onion, Kalamata olives, tangy feta cheese, and a red wine vinaigrette for a delightful Greek salad nestled in a soft, edible bowl. You can follow the same method using naan instead of pita, and create a warm basmati rice salad topped with tandoori chicken, chickpeas, diced cauliflower, fresh spinach, and a cucumber mint yogurt dressing.

For ease, using pre-baked bread to make bread bowls is the most convenient option. However, if you're willing to put in the extra effort, baking bread bowls from scratch can be a truly rewarding experience.