Salad Swag: Creative ways to dress up your bowl

Here’s how to make your salad feel a little more exciting.

Salads can sometimes feel a little… predictable. You know the drill: a basic lettuce base, a sprinkle of croutons, and a dollop of store-bought dressing. It works, but it doesn’t exactly scream exciting.

Well, it’s time to toss that tired bowl aside—because Studio 5 is launching a brand-new series that’s all about giving your greens some serious swag.

Doctor Up Ranch Dressing

We’re rolling out some Salad Swag—where boring bowls get bold makeovers, starting with the most crucial element of any good salad: the dressing. Studio 5 Food Editor Maddy Tolman is kicking things off by reimagining a true classic—ranch dressing. But rather than just pouring it out of the bottle, Maddy shared three simple, flavor-packed ways to upgrade your ranch and instantly step up your salad game.

1. Garlic Ranch Glow-Up
   First up, the pantry staple you already have on hand—garlic! Just add one teaspoon of minced garlic per ½ cup of ranch. This quick mix-in deepens the flavor and adds a zesty, savory twist that makes your salad taste like it came from a high-end café. Pro tip: Use freshly minced garlic for maximum punch.

2. Chipotle Kick
   If you want a little kick, go for chipotle peppers! Stir in one finely chopped chipotle pepper and a teaspoon of adobo sauce per ½ cup of ranch. This smoky, spicy twist creates a ranch that’s perfect for taco salads, grilled chicken, or anything that needs a bold southwestern flair.

3. Pesto-Ranch
   Combine your ranch with a spoonful of pesto at a 1-to-8 ratio (that’s about one part pesto to eight parts ranch). The result? A creamy, herb-forward dressing that pairs beautifully with pasta salads, roasted veggies, or even as a dip. It’s bright, fresh, and unexpected.

You don’t have to settle for plain-Jane ranch anymore. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just making lunch for one, these simple twists add that “wow” factor you didn’t know your salad needed.

Sweet + Spicy Nuts

Mel Gunnell of Mel’s Kitchen Cafe shared her salad secrets as part of our “Salad Swag” series, and they’re surprisingly easy.

First up: texture. When Mel wants to add a little spicy crunch to her salad, she reaches for one ingredient every time—sweet and spicy candied nuts. “They’re easy to make, add incredible texture and flavor to pretty much any salad, and bonus: they’re amazing to snack on if you have leftovers,” Mel says. She gives them a subtle kick by adding a dash of cayenne pepper to the sugary coating. The result? A craveable balance of sweet heat that makes your salad way more exciting.

But she doesn’t stop there. Mel loves adding another simple upgrade that instantly makes a salad feel special: shaved Parmesan. “It’s hard to pick just one favorite salad ingredient,” she admits, “but shaved Parmesan adds a salty punch—and it makes you feel like a rock star in the kitchen when you shave it off with a vegetable peeler, like a pro.”

We couldn’t agree more. Parmesan has a way of elevating a salad without much effort. Pair it with those sweet and spicy nuts, and you’ve got a winning combination of flavor and texture that’ll have everyone going back for seconds.

So next time you’re assembling a salad, skip the plain croutons and bottled dressing. Try adding some candied nuts and fresh-shaved Parmesan instead. With just a couple of easy upgrades, you’ll transform a simple salad into the star of the table.

Recipe by Mel Gunnell of Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons water
• ½ cup granulated or brown sugar
• Pinch cayenne pepper, more to taste if you want
• Pinch salt
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

METHOD

1. Add the water, sugar, salt and cayenne pepper to a skillet set over medium heat. Stir to combine.
2. Bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Add the nuts and stir to coat. Cook for another 1-2 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring slowly but constantly.
4. Spread the nuts evenly on a parchment lined baking sheet and let cool. Break into pieces.

Need a serving suggestion to get you started? Add them to Mel’s Amazing Spinach Salad with Apples, Bacon, and Feta Cheese.

Find more delicious recipes from Mel on Instagram, @melskitchencafe, or on her website, melskitchencafe.com.