which salad type should you choose?
For salads acting as a side or supporting act to a main course, leaf salads or shaved salads tend to be the best choice. Although lighter grain or legume salads can also work.
If you’re after a quick meal on its own, then more substantial protein based salads or grain/legume salads are going to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
matching your salad to the rest of the meal
When a simple salad is your meal, this becomes a no-brainer. When we’re talking side salads though, a little thought can make a difference.
A delicate fish will be best served with a fresh, light salad. A BBQ steak on the other hand demands a big beefy salad like rocket dressed with vinegar and mustard. A rich piece of pork belly is best with a really sharp crunchy salad. You get the picture.
matching your salad to the seasons
There has been a lot of hype linked to eating seasonally and locally. And while I agree with the philosophy, I don’t like the pressure it puts on home cooks. I eat salad year round and rather than getting stressed about whats meant to be in season, I tend to shop based on what looks appealing and what I feel like. Things generally turn out for the best that way.
matching your salad to your situation
It’s also important to make your salad work for you, not the other way around. So if you’re feeding a huge crowd, choose a salad that doesn’t involve a lot of work. If your knife skills aren’t that great and you don’t own a mandoline, maybe save the shaved salads for later. Or if you want a salad you can make for dinner and save the other half for lunch the next day, pick a more robust legume or shaved salad rather than finicky leaves.
back to: 5 Minute Salads Overview.
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