Salads are often labeled as boring and bland, but they don’t need to be. Well-made salad recipes are full of flavor and interesting textures that go well together.
Now, I do understand that salads get a bad rep most of the time. But, they do not need to. They’re healthy, nutritious, full of good stuff. But, you already know that. Here’s what you do not. Salads can be extremely tasty if you make them well. Well-made salad recipes don’t just contain vegetables. They contain dressings and toppings; they’re a mixed balance of different flavor profiles and textures. Let me elaborate.
Well-made salad recipes have a base, a body, toppings, and a dressing.
Salads are versatile
They can be served as an appetizer before a meal, or as an accompaniment to go along with the main dish. They can also replace the main dish entirely, and be used as the main course or separate course. The best part? Salads can also be a dessert. So, salads can be tons of fun. When making a salad, opt for foods that are grown from the ground, and remember to make a rainbow. Use a variety of ingredients of different shapes and shades. Bringing them together is both easy and delicious!
Fun fact – There are some countries where people refuse to eat unless salads are served.
Remember that no two people are exactly like
Different people have different tastes, preferences, likes, and dislikes. So, there’s no reason to consume the same drab salad that is universally liked by everyone. Because there’s no such thing. Instead, make your salad the way you like best. For example, mix cottage cheese, pomegranate, corn, and black salt with cilantro sprinkled on top.
Another way to build salad recipes is by adhering to cuisine ethics and basic norms that factor in the creation of salads. For example, Italian salads use basil, pasta, tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, zucchini, etc.
Very interestingly, blue cheese is a dressing that marks French salads.
Similarly, Lebanese or Middle Eastern Salads contain lavash, fattoush, herb spring, etc. A Thai salad uses sweet chili sauce, shredded coconut, crab, etc. These fundamentals are in place to ensure that salads taste good. So, you see, salads are inherently designed to taste good.
It is also interesting to note that salad recipes are designed to fulfil a purpose.
For example, an appetizer salad needs to stimulate the salad and build the palette for the main course. Hence, it should be fresh and crisp and cater to hunger while leaving place for more. Similarly, complementary salads should have a flavor profile that complements the rest of the meal. For example, if the meal is spicy and tangy, the salad should be mild and warm.
On the other hand, the main course salad should be satiating enough to replace the main dish. Here, the salad is the star of the show. Hence, it should be fulfilling without being heavy. Protein-rich ingredients, such as meat, seafood, cheese, etc. significantly contribute to its development. The salad should also use vegetables, fruits, and other toppings.
The French cuisine provides for separate course salads that cleanse the palate and prepare it for dessert.
Let’s bring back the point of dessert salads. A very intriguing concept, dessert salads are usually sweet. Here, the primary ingredients are fruit, sweetened gelatin, nuts, and cream.
There are some unique tips that professional chefs keep in mind while building salad recipes.
- Select the right sized dish and keep the salad off the edges.
- Use a simple arrangement. Using too many complex ingredients can do more harm than good.
- Experiment with different ingredients keeping the essential elements in mind.
- Try to achieve the rainbow i.e. use different colors that are appealing to the eye.
- Use a salad dressing that supplements the salad without overwhelming it completely.
And, before we conclude. Remember that salads are meant to be healthy. Hence, salad recipes need to reflect that.
Salads are rich in nutrients and minerals and contribute significantly to the functioning of the organs. Hence, your salad should not contain too many high-calorie foods. Instead, it should be rich in vegetables, fruits, protein, nuts, legumes, etc. There is a reason why nutrition and health experts recommend you eat a salad every day. Keep that in mind while building your salad recipes, and see results almost immediately.
