Salads can be uninspiring. Luckily, with the proper ingredients and textures, you can take your salad from a sad side to the star of the meal. Follow these easy steps to create the perfect salad!
- Greens: Greens provide the base of the salad and help to set you up for success. When choosing your greens, do not limit yourself to one type! The best salads include a variety of lettuces. A general rule of thumb is the darker the greens, the higher the nutritional value. When choosing your lettuce, try to include some of the following:
- Kale
- Red or green leaf lettuce
- Arugula
- Spinach
- Romaine
- Crunchiness: Without the crunch component, your salad will turn out bland and boring. Life’s too short for sad salads. The salad greens will provide a slight crunch, but don’t stop there! Sprinkle some of these additions for extra crunchiness:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Carrots
- Celery
- Apples
- Wontons
- Croutons
- Creaminess: Adding a hint of creaminess is the best part of the salad. Feel free to mix and match depending on your preferences:
- Avocado
- Feta cheese
- Goat cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Fresh mozzarella
- Sweetness: Instead of overloading a salad with a sugary dressing, incorporate a small amount of sweetness through toppings. Sprinkle some of the following to transform your salad:
- Cranberries
- Apples
- Jicama
- Sweet peppers
- Snap peas
- Corn
- Cherry tomatoes
- Dressing: Choose a store bought variety or simply add some lemon and olive oil. Pour it on and mix it up.
There you have it – the perfect salad for you, by you!