Leafy greens are coming into season and so many wonderful varieties are available from our local farms! Greens are delicious on their own and can be elevated with our perfect recipe formula.
This step-by-step guide for putting the oomph in your salad - making it your main course - just can’t be beat. And remember, it's been said that we eat with our eyes, so be sure to make your salad look delicious too by composing it on a pretty platter or in an eye-catching bowl.
1. Add your veggies & fruit
When people say salads don’t make them feel full, add chunks of stuff to switch things up. Veggies add a savory twist, fruits, either dried or fresh are light and bright (sweet or sour) and fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, basil, dill, tarragon and chives definitely increase the depth of flavors in your bowl.
Savory inspiration: Chickpea Cucumber with Hummus, Crispy Celery Salad (pic), Arugula Caprese with Kale Pesto
Sweet inspiration: Peach with Mint & Pistachios, Cantaloupe Salad with Ginger, Lettuce with Candied Walnuts, Oranges & Feta
Sour inspiration: Beet & Blood Orange
2. Add grains, proteins, nuts, or sprouts
The wonderful thing about salads is that there are no rules! With toppings, the more the merrier. Try the Quinoa, sprouts, and baby greens salad (pic). Canned beans add protein, increasing the heartiness of your salad. And nuts add a wonderful crunch as well.
Flavor profiles of grains you might not be familiar with:
- Quinoa has a sweet and nutty flavor
- Farro has a nutty taste with undertones of oats and barley (looks similar to brown rice)
- Split peas tend to have a bit of a sweeter flavor and creamier texture
- Green lentils can have an earthy flavor and a bit of a gritty texture
3. Mix your greens
Greens have different tastes, textures. Play around with your mix. Spinach is very delicate, romaine will give you a crunch, raw kale is a little bitter, and dandelion greens (pic) are earthy and bitter. View our guide to leafy greens.
4. Dress it up
A good salad dressing or vinaigrette goes a long way! Making dressings are super easy, and you probably have the ingredients already. Vinaigrette is a mixture of oil and something acidic like citrus or vinegar, used as a salad dressing or marinade. Repurpose a small jar as your dressing container - add your ingredients and shake well! Store and leftovers in the refrigerator for next time
Lemon, Mustard, garlic vinaigrette
Now that you’re a skilled salad maestro, you're going to have a whole bunch of lettuce in your fridge. Here are storage tips so you can preserve its freshness!
