Salad Ingredients – What Can I Use?

For a person to be able to make the perfect salad it is important that they know as much as possible about the kinds of ingredients that can be used in them. Often a salad will combine a number of different foods all of which provide a certain taste or texture to the recipe but which also complement each other. In this article we take a look at some of the kinds of salad ingredients that you may want to consider using and which are used the world over.

1. Lettuce andamp; Green Leaved Plants – Often the most common variety of lettuce that people use to make a salad quickly is the iceberg variety. But there are plenty of others you may want to try which will add a completely different taste and texture to your salad. For instance why not try a butterhead lettuce which is very tender tasting one or the cos lettuce whose leaves are much coarser in texture.

Although if you would like to try something completely different when it comes to making a salad then avoid using lettuce altogether. Instead why not try something like Augula which originally comes from Italy and comes with a very tangy but mildly peppery taste to it. Or if you want to produce something a little more exotic which has asian connotations to it try adding Bok Choy. Although slightly bitter in taste a squeeze of fresh lemon juice often helps to counteract this.

2. Fruit andamp; Vegetables – Do not restrict yourself to using the more conventional types of fruits and vegetables that people often include in their salads. Rather than going for tomatoes why not try something a little more unusual say add in sliced up apple or oranges. Also for those who want to try a recipe that incorporates Bok Choy which we mentioned previously then slice some of it up place in a bowl and add to it some bean sprouts, sliced cucumber and green onions. Then to finally finish this salad off drizzle over a salad vinaigrette dressing made using soy sauce and sesame seed oil.

As well as replacing your usual salad ingredients with more unusual and exotic ones such as brocolli, carrots, beans and Bok Choy you should also include a few herbs into the recipe as well. Adding the likes of rosemary, garlic, cilantro or basil will further enhance the flavors of the ingredients you are already using.

3. Fish and Meat – Although a lot of people feel that a salad should purely consist of vegetables and fruit many people incorporate meat or fish to provide them with a complete meal. Some of the most famous salads people now eat such as Caesar’s incorporate healthy amounts of lean meat or fish into them. But if you choose to use such foods in your salad do not use too much.

However, you may want to include cheese rather than meat or fish into your salad. Plus a great way of adding some additional texture or crunch to the salad you are making is through adding croutons or nuts to it. If you choose to use nuts in your salad then go for the likes of walnuts, almonds or peanuts in it and preferably avoid those that have been ready prepared (such as pickled walnuts) or which are coated in salt.

When looking for the right salad ingredients for your salad it is vital that you go for the freshest ones possible. Avoid any kind of vegetable or fruit, which has markings on them or where the leaves have begun to wilt. Plus it is important before you place these ingredients together you thoroughly wash them although some come ready to use and in packaging they will have additives and chemicals on them which help to preserve them.