This blog post is all about the Mandy’s Gourmet Salads Cookbook. I will share an in depth look inside the book so you can determine if this cookbook is worth adding to your collection.
What is this cookbook about?
Do you really need recipes for salad? Well friend, I am here to tell you that your entire viewpoint on salad will be changed with this cookbook. Mandy’s Gourmet Salads is a book written by 2 sisters who started the Montreal salad joint Mandy’s. In the book you will get a brief history on the duo and then you’ll dive into the salad section. The photography alone will make you want to try every recipe in this book. But, what’s even more interesting is that Mandy’s Gourmet Salads combines science and art. They are very serious about their ratios of lettuce to dressing and they walk you through how to build unique and flavorful pairings to make the BEST salads you will ever have. After cooking from this book for 2 weeks I feel like I got a masters degree in salad making.
Who is this cookbook for?
Mandy’s Gourmet Salads is a book that will pull you out of any food rut you may be in. It has globally inspired pairings, unique takes on old classics, and every single recipe we tried was something we would make again.
Easy + Quick Weekday Meals: My favorite part about Mandy’s Gourmet Salads is that you can make a few different dressings over the weekend and have them on hand for easy weeknight dinners. The salad recipes can be side salads or main dishes, so it was very nice knowing I could come home from a long day of work, throw some lettuce in a bowl and be done.
Vegan or Vegetarian? This book is not 100% plant based but the recipes are so user friendly that you could absolutely leave out the animal products and still have a delicious result. I tried the Mock Chicken recipe and it was so fun to test a new method for cooking tofu. Plus, almost all the dressing recipes are vegan friendly, so I would highly recommend this book to my vegan friends.
Hosting A Dinner Party? The recipes in Mandy’s Gourmet Salads are truly gourmet, so if you host dinner parties or holiday gatherings, this would be a great resource. There is probably a salad in this book for every dinner party theme you could think of. I personally think I want to serve the Wild Sage Salad (see review below) for Thanksgiving next year because it’s flavors are so cozy and delicious.
Olive Oil to the Max: it’s become trendy, especially in the plant based community, to cut out oil from our diet because of its high calorie content. If this is you, your recipes in this book may be limited because almost every dressing recipe contains a large amount of oil. In this book, the dressings are what make the salad, so unless you are very good at substitutions, this book may be a let down if you’re looking for oil-free recipes.
What is the skill level?
Mandy’s Gourmet Salads cookbook is very beginner friendly. There is very little cooking involved, except for meats and proteins, and the only kitchen tool you really need is a high speed blender to make the dressings. Although it will suit beginners, I feel that the recipes are restaurant quality.
Ingredients:
You can find 99% of the ingredients in this book at any grocery store. There are no obscure things you have to special order and the list of ingredients is not overwhelming for any recipe. The dressings are the most elaborate part, but they include mostly pantry items like oils and spices. All the
Are the recipes quick?
YES!!! That’s the best part about Mandy’s Gourmet Salads. These salad recipes are easy to whip up for a weeknight meal, and the dressings make a good amount so you will have leftovers for the week. If you are a fan of food prepping your meals you will definitely find this book useful. You can make all the proteins and dressings well in advance and then just assemble your salads throughout the week.
Testing the recipes:
This book is so full of mouthwatering recipes that my husband and I only ate salad for the first 2 weeks of 2024. I am personally setting a challenge for myself to cook from a new cookbook every week in 2024 and I already broke my resolution. Our first week was so delicious, and Mandy’s Gourmet Salads has the best salad recipes for dinner, so we doubled up and had a salad marathon for 14 days straight! Here is what we made with some of our “scores”.
Recipes we made:
Mexi Salad: (7/10)- I am a huge fan of Mexican cuisine. I personally loved the flavor combinations and textures, but I do think the next time I make the dressing I will add more herbs to balance out the oil.
The Clean Green Salad: (6/10)- This salad is certainly healthy which is why it had the lowest score, lol. I never thought of putting raw broccoli in my salad and it was a nice addition for texture. The dressing was great night 1…but it separated a lot in the refrigerator and was chunky. A minor complaint but felt it was worth noting as the other dressings held up very well for multiple days.
Kale Caesar: (8.5/10)- I will always love a caesar salad, and this was a great option with the added kale. Even my husband loved this salad and has requested it multiple times since we made it.
Vegan Kale Salad: (9/10)– the dressing was a 10/10! This recipe is worth purchasing this cookbook for, especially if you’re a vegan. I was a vegan for 2 years and continue eat as many vegan meals as possible.
Wild Sage Salad: (9.5/10)- I wish I recorded my reaction to the first bite of this salad. The sweet potato and pecans mixed with the sage dressing were incredible. It would be perfect to serve at a fall party or even Thanksgiving.
Homemade Pita Chips: (7/10)– several recipes called for pita chips instead of croutons and my husband and I decided these were 10 times more delicious than croutons. You can even make your own flavor combinations. They cook up in less than 10 minutes in the oven making it a super fun addition to your weeknight salads.
Here’s a TikTok compiling all the recipes we tested over the 2 weeks:
About the Authors + Mandy’s Gourmet Salad History
I have never personally been to a Mandy’s. But, after cooking for 2 weeks from this book, I am ready to book my plane ticket to Montreal. Started by two sisters, Rebecca and Mandy, the idea became a reality in 2004 when the duo was inspired to bring the thriving “salad scene” of Manhattan to Montreal. Coco Cafe was their first restaurant, a 200 square foot space with a 3 foot counter to prep everything, so you could say this thriving business started with very humble beginnings.
FUN FACT: they were forced to change the name “Coco Cafe” when they received a letter from Coco Chanel’s legal department!
It’s been almost 20 years since their first location opened. Since then, the duo has 10 locations all throughout Montreal. Their success is not just because they make a great salad. Mandy and Rebecca understand that every little detail matters. Each restaurant location is designed in a maximalist aesthetic. They have signature salad bowls that I personally would DIE to have in my collection, but they don’t ship to the US. The warmth oozes through every aspect of their brand, which I am sure is appreciated with those cold Montreal winters.
Should you add Mandy’s Gourmet Salads to your collection?
Only you can decide if a cookbook is worth purchasing. I understand that I probably own more cookbooks than the average person. However, Mandy’s Gourmet Salads is a cookbook I plan to reach for over and over again because it’s healthy, inspiring, delicious, and it’s just plain fun. I think the recipes are restaurant quality and will deliver some of the best salad recipes!
