How to Build a Big Salad

1 Start with greens

I like to use at least two types of greens.
Use iceberg or romaine for crunch and then
arugula or spinach or mesclun or mizuna or kale or some other more serious green for flavour.

if you are feeling fancy, make Macerated Kale. It breaks it down and makes it tastier and easier to chew.

To make, slice kale into thin strips. (Chiffonade as we chefs call it). Season with salt and pepper, a squeeze of lemon and a massage in a little olive oil.

Or season with soy sauce and dried chilies, a splash of rice vinegar and massage in sesame oil. adding toasted sesame seeds is nice too.

Or add a little protein. Massage in some tahini and lemon, or peanut butter, or almond butter….

2 Add Veggies, add any or all of the following, whatever you have in your fridge

tomatoes, diced, wedged, cherry tomatoes….
cucumbers, sliced or diced
canned corn
celery, chopped
cabbage, shredded
carrots sliced thin or shredded
broccoli or cauliflower (roasted if you have time)
cooked green beans
red onion, I like to soak in cold water for a bit to take the edge off
snap peas
beets, boiled or roasted
… you get the idea. veggies

3 Add protein, one or more of the following

grilled, sliced chicken breast
grilled, sliced steak
dice ham or salami
hard boiled egg, wedged or chopped
cottage cheese
cheddar, gouda, smoked cheese… any hard cheese
blue cheese, particularly good with arugula and grilled steak
feta, goat cheese or parmesan
4Add something crunchy and interesting

sunflower seeds
walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts… any nut
sesame seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds
croutons
tortilla chips, corn chips…
coarsely chopped herbs
raisins, currants, dried cranberries

5 Dress your  salad

can be as simple as a drizzle of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon or a splash of balsamic or use one of these simple dressings:

 

Dijon and Honey

1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp grainy dijon mustard
pinch of salt
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
3 tbsps olive oil

Sesasme Ginger

small clove of garlic, minced
½ tsp grated fresh ginger
pinch of chili flakes
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tbsp rice vinegar (or lime juice)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsps canola oil
1 tbsps sesame seeds (optional)

Orange Coriander

1 tsps cracked coriander seeds
1 tsp chili flakes
zest and juice of one orange
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
3 tbsps olive oil

Yogurt Dill

1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
1 tbsp chopped parsley
pinch of cayenne
½ cup yogurt
½ cup mayonaise
1 tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Some of the combinations will work better than others, but play around, you’ll find the ones you like the best.