Salad kind of gets a bad rap when we talk about yummy food. But did you know that there are so many ways to make your salad way better?
Salad can be absolutely delicious if you follow these eight tips to make your salad way better.
Don’t Overdress
An overdressed salad is never a good thing. Be careful with when and how much you dress. If you aren’t sure, err on the side of waiting. You can always add more dressing, but you can’t subtract!
Season Your Greens
Salt and pepper are absolute musts for every dish, and salad is no exception! Toss in a few pinches of both, especially with kale or hearty greens, if you’re massaging them with some olive oil.
Play with Textures
Most salads lack one surprising thing: crunch! And there’s nothing worse than a soggy salad. Don’t forget crunchy elements like nuts, seeds, croutons, or even crispy fried onions; all are fantastic options when appropriately balanced with something creamy.
Make Your Own Dressing
It’s nowhere near as challenging as you think to make a dress from scratch. Even a simple vinaigrette takes only a second to whip up; you don’t need more than some salt, pepper, olive oil, and vinegar of your choice. If you’re in the mood for something creamier, yogurt or avocado-based dressings are equally simple and easily made with a food processor or blender.
Get Creative With Leftovers
Not sure what to do with the rest of those canned artichokes? Chop them up and throw them in your salad! Leftovers like rotisserie chicken can go from zero to hero just by tossing them with your greens. Keep your salad recipe flexible, and you’ll see you’ll never get bored with potential options!
Toss in Herbs
Tender herbs like cilantro or basil can brighten up a basic salad. If you have any leftovers, tear off a good handful and toss it in! You can even treat them like a green!
Balance Out Ingredients
You don’t want your salad to have only vegetables, too much meat, or too much fruit. Think about the main flavors like sweet, salty, sour, and umami; do your best to have one of each of these supporting characters to make a more delicious salad.
Make Ahead (Or Don’t)
Some salads are best enjoyed with a day in the fridge to let the flavors meld. This would include pasta salads, quinoa salads, or anything with a grain that could absorb some of the dressing’s flavor. Conversely, don’t make a salad with delicate greens too early; otherwise, you’ll end up with a soppy, mushy mess! If you’re taking it to work, always put the dressing on the side (you might even want to do a little extra if you have a grain salad to compensate for some of the absorption).
Don’t Overdo How Many Ingredients You Use
If you’re too overzealous with your ingredients, you’ll have a harder time balancing everything. Stick with five or six, not including dressing (or salt and pepper). Sometimes, simple is sensational!
25 Savory Dishes for Pickle Lovers
Image Credit: Suzanne Tucker/Shutterstock.
Ok… who loves pickles? Or rather… who doesn’t love pickles? If you do love pickles then you should look through these recipes and see which one of these pickle recipes will satisfy your pickle cravings. These are the best recipes for pickle lovers!
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