The Perfect Salad

There is probably many differing opinions about what the perfect salad should consist of, but the only opinion that matters is yours.  I have several contradictions within myself, but I think there are three main concerns for any salad. 

The first would have to be the base, which is in most cases some form of greens. There are many different varieties.  I really like romaine hearts, which are very hearty and hold up to other ingredients and dressings. I love adding Arugula to my salads, because it has a bit of a bite.  It adds more flavor and allows you to use less dressing.  Lastly, I like Mesclun which is a mixture of young, wild greens.  I love getting the large mixture of lettuces/greens at Costco.  They have a wonderful buy on mixed greens that have all of these. 

The second and third are slightly broader, texture and flavor.  The remaining ingredients for your salad should be added based on these two main charactaristics. I like to have crunch in my salads. For this reason, I love cucumbers, sunflower seeds, nuts and occasionally crutons. I also like to use little dressing so I like to add ingredients that have flavor so that fattening salad dressings do dominate the flavors. I like tomatoes, onions, bacon and cheese. There is one, wonderful ingredient that I love adding to salads that fills both of these catergories:  diced apples.  Apples are great, they provide nutrition, crunch, flavor and the juices bring out the flavors in the greens.

There are countless other ingredients that can be added, boiled eggs, carrots, radishes, diced pears, manderin oranges, olives, peppers, etc.  The list goes on and on. The only advice I can give is to try new things and if you like it, put it in and try it.  I would just be careful about adding too many wet ingredients. You don't want your salad to wilt prematurely and find yourself with soup instead of salad.

The salad I made tonight is modeled after my friend, Nichelle's salads.  She makes a great salad.  I bought my mixed greens at Costco and used it to layer the other ingredients: bacon, onion, roma tomatos, cucumbers, parmesean cheese and an organic blend of greens from the Costco.  Let me know what other ingredients you put in your salad.  I hope you enjoy!!