Summer just calls for salads, with shops and farmer’s markets across the country bursting with fresh produce.
The thing is, though, salads can be a tricky one to get right., and tend to rarely be a dish that has people jumping out of their seats for more.
Unless you get it right, that is. Because according to the experts at MyDomaine, there is a certain formula you should follow in order to constructing the perfect bowl of greens, one that will have everyone begging for seconds, even.
Curious? Here is how:
1. Start with greens
Try something different than your standard, go-to bagged salad leaves. Chard, watercress, red-leaf lettuce, endive, and radicchio are all fabulous greens that will bring a punch of flavor. Also, you don’t have to stick to one type. Mix and match, you will be amazed at the difference it will make.
2. Taste the texture
You’ve probably eaten tons of salads with raw cherry tomatoes, but how would the salad taste if the tomatoes were roasted until sweet and caramelized in the oven? For a salad to truly be amazing and more-ish, it should have a variety of vegetables, cooked using different techniques. Sure, some veggies can be raw, but others can be roasted, grilled, or pickled. Yum!
3. Go with the grain
If you tend to skip the grains when you rustle up a salad, you might not know that you are missing out on some serious goodness as grains really go that extra mile in making a salad meal hearty enough to enjoy as a main course.
Rice, farro, quinoa, couscous, bulgur, and barley are wonderful and nutritious options to consider.
4. Crunch is vital
To make a salad truly satisfying, you’ve got to toss in an element of crunch. If this is missing, salads can be a little limp, and, well, not as delish. Homemade croutons are a great way to use up stale bread and add some satisfying crunch. Seeds are fab too, try pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower, or nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and peanuts.
5. Protein packs a punch
To turn a salad from side dish into substantial main, add some protein. Salmon, rotisserie chicken, grilled steak, crispy bacon or roasted chickpeas are all great proteins that can be used to really bulk up a salad.
6. Add some extras for taste
If you want to take your salad from meh to magnificent, extras are your boo.
Why not try herbs like basil, parsley and coriander, or some cheese like feta or chevre, that will add tang and delicious creaminess. Berries are a great add-on too, as are melon, stone fruit and dried cranberries, cherries, or apricots.
Oh, and don’t forget eggs! Hard-boiled, poached or even fried, they are a scrumptious addition to any salad. Other flavorful extras could include sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and capers.
7. Dress it up
If you didn’t know this, you will now: Store-bought dressings and vinaigrettes are loaded with unhealthy ingredients and preservatives, as well as sugar and salt. And once you have mastered a homemade version, trust us, you will never look back. And the best bit? It could not be easier to make your own salad dressing.
Simply start by combining a little oil and vinegar in a bowl, add some freshly-squeezed citrus, a bit of pepper and voila. And if you want to get even fancier, try adding a little finely grated parmesan, some honey or even dijon mustard for a little kick.
(Feature image via Jamiemagazine.nl)
