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April 17, 2015 ·

The Art of Making Salad

Food· Kitchen Tips· recipes· salads· sides

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IMG_0319Truth be told I love salad, and more than anything I appreciate a well put together salad.  But honestly I do not love to make salad.  I don’t know why.  It’s really not that hard.  Maybe it’s because my favorite sort of salads tend to be a bit more complex.  Layered.  Full bodied.  No I’m not talking about wine, I’m talking about salad.

The Art of Making Salad - Napa Chopped SaladNapa Chopped Salad 

I had a salad epiphany in Germany 25 plus years ago.  I realized that you can put anything on a salad.  Not just cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, carrot sticks and croutons all drowned in French Dressing with an extra side of Ranch.  Welcome to the salad of the seventies and eighties in midwest rural America.

I had my first Greek Salad in Germany made by lovely Turkish people.  I have dreams about that salad.

The Art of Making Salad - Roasted Veggie Chèvre SaladChèvre Roasted Vegetable Salad

I had my first salad with vinaigrette.  It was life changing.

 

The Art of Making SaladI learned that iceberg lettuce was like really not that good, and there were actually other varieties of lettuce, and greens that could be purchased fresh from a market every Saturday morning in the platz.

Mind blown.

The Art of Making SaladAnd yes, I learned that anything goes with salad.  The skies the limit.  Now I probs wouldn’t put crumbled brownies on greens……

Fruit, nuts, corn, celery, onions any and all varieties, mushrooms, any vegetable, add a grain, roasted vegetables, pickles, olives, cheese – any and all sorts, bread – and not just croutons, protein – meat, fish, shell-fish, beans/legumes.

You get the idea?

I’d rather make a giant….ok gargantuan salad than a single salad, mainly because the for the most part the salads I prefer involve a bit of prep, so as long as I’m making a salad I might as well make him big and enjoy him for a few days…know what I’m sayin’?  (get your mind outta the gutter we are talking about salad here)

I have a secret to making a really good salad, a better than an average tossed.

The Art of Making SaladThe secret is layering.  Yup, that’s it.  Layer.  Don’t place greens in a bowl and then dump all the additional ingredients on top.  Layer.

I’m going to demonstrate for you the best practices for salad construction.  Believe me you will never look at a salad the same again!

Are you ready?

The Art of Making SaladStart with greens, then layer your favorite toppings. (I happen to love fruit, nuts, and cheese on salad.)  Another layer of greens, toppings, and one more time!  That’s right three layers of greens and toppings.

The Art of Making SaladWhen you make a salad this way, everyone gets an equal amount of goodies, and no one is standing there trying to dig to the bottom, or mix it up, because it’s just perfect right down to the very last bite.

Trust me on this.

The Art of Making Salad

I know people who do not care for a salad with fruit, and would choose any and all sorts of veggies, and other assorted nuts and cheeses, I’m wondering what would you layer in your salad?  

 

[print_this]

Berry and Nut Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
6 generous servings

8 ounces Mixed Greens, washed
2 cups Black Berries
2 cups sliced Strawberries
1 15 ounce can Mandarin Oranges, drained
1/2 cup thinly sliced Red Onion
1-2 Avocados, cut into chunks and tossed with lemon juice to keep from browning
1 cup toasted Almonds, or any nut you prefer
1 cup crumbled Feta Cheese
A bottle of your favorite Poppy Seed Dressing

Add sliced grilled Chicken or Steak, Shrimp would be wonderful too!

Directions layer ingredients as shown above in a large shallow salad bowl. Greens, berries, oranges, onion, avocado, nuts, cheese, repeat. Layer three times. Serve as a side salad, or as a dinner salad with a protein.

Enjoy!

Note: Feel free to add more or less of any or all of the ingredients…I tend to be a bit heavy handed when it comes to toppings!

[/print_this]

Peace, Love, and Salad Greens! Sheila

 

Looking for a more great salad ideas? Look no further ->->

The Art of Making Salad - Peach Basil Salad

Peach Basil Salad

 

The Art of Making Salad - Thai Chicken Salad

Thai Chicken Salad

The Art of Making Salad - Blueberry Hamburg Salad

Bacon Blueberry Blue Cheese Burger Salad

 

FOLLOW my salady Pinterest board!!!

Follow Eat2gather ‘s board Summer Picnic Food & Salads on Pinterest.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janey says

    April 18, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    We LOVE salads – and I was thinking about peaches, blueberries, pecans, and basil to include in salads and after scrolling down further – yes – you were also thinking the same thing. Ready to try your combination suggestions. Heard our Kingfisher today and I’m taking that as a sign that Spring is really here in northern Indiana. Hugs!

    • Sheila says

      April 19, 2015 at 12:58 pm

      Happy Spring Janey! Don’t you love opening the windows and hearing the birds?!

  2. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    April 18, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    My favorite salad has raisins or sultanas, sunflower seeds, pepitas, orange segments, walnuts, red onion, lightly pickled beets, cheese and greens. Actually, just clean out the fridge and put it in my bowl. 🙂

    • Sheila says

      April 19, 2015 at 12:57 pm

      Now my mouth is watering!! Yes to seeds! I also love beets on a salad! I’d make a trip around the world for one of your salads Maureen!

  3. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says

    April 20, 2015 at 5:43 pm

    So this weekend Amelia took a corn cob in the husk and microwaved it IN THE HUSK for us to use on a salad. Genius right??

    • Sheila says

      April 21, 2015 at 12:23 pm

      I love corn on salad! I actually did a blog post on microwave corn once 😉

  4. Bobbie says

    April 23, 2015 at 10:45 am

    your salads are BEAUTIFUL and makes me want one right now. I love to put fruit in a salad. I feel like it is a complete meal with chicken (protien), green, and fruit (sugar).

    • Sheila says

      April 23, 2015 at 10:57 am

      I agree! I never feel guilty about eating a salad…unless I follow it with a cookie 😉 LOL! Thanks for stopping by!

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