Green Salad = leafy greens + crunchy greens + something different + vinaigrette
Choose your leafy greens
The best salads are built from a lush green foundation and there’s a wide variety to choose from. Butter lettuce, crunchy cos, rocket, kale and spinach are just some of your options. The trick is to choose greens that pair with your salad ingredients: sharp tasting rocket leaves match well with sweet fruits like pear and orange, a sweet butter lettuce loves a tangy vinaigrette, and baby spinach leaves work well with forest fruits like blueberries and raspberries. Or why not mix things up by combining two or more of your favourite leaves?
Add some crunch
Think about how the salad will feel with every bite. The more varied the textures, the more exciting your salad becomes. To achieve this, choose fresh, crunchy vegetables to throw on top of your leafy greens. Here are some of my favourites:
- Combine fresh snow peas with grilled asparagus and sliced radish for a spring sensation.
- Fiery char-grilled zucchini and crunchy broccolini (lightly grilled).
- A garden-inspired selection combining sticks of cucumber with thinly sliced red cabbage and radish.
Something different
This is where you make your personal trademark. By adding one unique ingredient, you create an elevated point of difference in your salad. It’s the secret ingredient that brings your salad to life and it gets people talking and asking questions. Typically, items like roasted nuts, soft cheeses or olives work well in this section. But here are a few ideas you may not have considered:
- Pomegranate seeds and mint: to hit the sweet spot of tart, sweet and aromatic in you salad.
- Peach wedges and mint: add a squeeze of lime juice for a bubbly summer combo that tastes like a peach mojito.
- Crispy chickpeas with lime and paprika: an irresistible way to get some protein in your salad bowl.
- Grilled avocado: brush with olive oil and place a halved avocado on the grill for two minutes. It’s a next-level way to experience this supreme ingredient. A squeeze of lemon will break up the smokiness.
The vinaigrette ratio you can’t do without
Want to whip up a dressing in seconds? This is the ratio you need to learn: shake up three parts olive oil to one part vinegar in a jar, a simple 3:1. Then spice it up however you wish. Maybe a squeeze of lime juice, some finely chopped ginger, fresh chilli, garlic, wasabi or a spoonful of your favourite mustard. If you prefer a hint of sweetness, just add 1/2 teaspoon of honey or brown sugar. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Experiment with this formula to create a knockout salad that showcases your authentic taste. Alternatively, try one of these recipes that get the formula just right.
- Green bean salad with green goddess dressing
- Exotic green salad with coconut dressing
- Coconut kale and sunflower seed salad