Putting together a good salad is not difficult. However, there are so many options to choose from. Here is a good starting point:
First get all your greens together. Start off with a bit of lettuce – iceberg is a good choice. Romaine, green leaf or Boston are also good options. Next, you need to add in a bit of flavor with something from the chicory family, like endive. If you like your salads to have a mild peppery taste, then add in some watercress, ruby-red radicchio or even arugula. Next, drop in some herbs, as many as you like. Next add the vegetables, followed by cheese, nuts, seeds, dried fruits and whatever else you feel like adding into your salad.
You might also want to add in some edible flowers to your salad. Here is a quick guide regarding their flavours:
1. Peppery – nasturtiums
2. Spicy – pansies
3. Sweet/tart – violets
4. Mildly sweet – rose petals
Salad in a rush – sometimes you might not have enough time to put together a salad from scratch. In instances such as these, you can purchase a ‘salad in a bag’ which consists of mixed salad greens. This is a more expensive option, but it will save you some valuable time. By buying a pre-mixed package, you do not have to buy each kind of green in large amounts. When buying a ‘salad in a bag’, always look for those that have fresh leaves. If the package consists of mostly chopped lettuce, then it is a definite no-no. Remember to rinse the greens before you make your salad.
Salad dressings – do not overdose on the vinaigrette or salad dressing used. Use a rich, creamy dressing with mild greens, while the more flavorful ones are best paired with a light vinaigrette or a light dressing.