Salad makes a wonderful accompaniment to a variety of meals, such as seared tuna.
Nothing beats a salad for a refreshing dinner on a hot summer night. Smaller side salads also make a wonderful addition to any type of meal throughout the year. Along with being a tasty, nutritious dish, salads are also versatile, letting cooks put their personal touch by adding different ingredients.
Lettuce
Rather than relying on lackluster iceberg lettuce, try a fancier, more flavorful variety of greens. Green and red romaine lettuce has a mild taste and a satisfying crispiness. The hearty flavor of spinach and Swiss chard make wonderful additions to salads. Arugula boasts a pungent, peppery taste that works wonderfully with other milder lettuce. A little purple radicchio or pale curly endive give salads a slightly bitter taste while adding visual appeal.
Vegetables
While lettuce may make up a substantial portion of a salad, a number of other fruits and vegetables give the dish more diverse colors and interesting flavors. Include common additions, such as carrots, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, onion and bell peppers. Other ingredients, like fresh broccoli, beets, heirloom tomatoes or corn, make a salad more unique. Fruits, too, contribute juice and sweet flavors to the salad. Try slices of grapefruit, mandarin oranges, grapes or apple slices for a refreshing addition to a salad.
Cheese
Many types of cheese work well with salad, giving it more flavor and texture. Cubes or shredded cheddar or colby-jack have a sharp flavor that works well with many types of salad. Italian or Caesar salads benefit from a sprinkle or parmesan cheese. The salty taste of feta is ideal for Greek salads. Other cheeses, such as goat cheese or blue cheese, have a bold taste that adds a punch of flavor to a salad.
Final Touches
A visit to any supermarket reveals the variety of salad dressings to pick from. Whether you sprinkle on some extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a poppyseed vinaigrette or a creamy ranch, salad dressing is an easy way to give your salad a burst of flavor. Other final touches give salad a satisfying crunch. Try sprinkling on some croutons, crunchy chow main noodles, toasted almonds or other nuts for some flavor and texture.
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