If you think of salads as boring and unhealthy, with wilted lettuce, too much dressing, and old toppings, it’s time for a rethink.What if salad could be nourishing as well as tasty? What if this traditional side served as the main course? It can be all those things, says Melissa Ben-Ishay, founder of Baked by Melissa and OXO Chef in Residence, with a little preparation and the right ingredients. See how she elevates salad to the focal point of your dinner table.
Expert Advice on Preparing Chopped Salad
To make dinner-worthy salad, you need fresh, crisp, and flavorful ingredients. You can use an OXO GreenSaver Produce Keeper to store pre-purchased produce. These containers contain improved carbon filters that absorb ethylene gas, as well as removable baskets and vents for optimal airflow and humidity control.
First things first, give the greens (as well as yellows and reds) a quick wash and dry to ensure they are clean but not soaked. An OXO Salad Spinner is the best tool available for drying lettuce, according to Ben-Ishay. Its non-slip base makes it easy to use, and by adding ice to the outer bowl and leaving your dry lettuce in the inner bowl, you can keep greens crisp until you're ready to combine them with other ingredients.
After that, chop all of the veggies and lettuce to a uniform consistency. This ensures that you get a little bit of everything in every bite and makes your salad easier to eat. More surface area means that dressing has more places to adhere.
"Why would you buy the dressing if you're going to make the salad?" is a question regarding dressing. Ben-Ishay makes a query. You can customize it to your own preferences and enhance the flavor by making it from scratch.
Ben-Ishay refers to the toppings as "additions," and she feels that they should comprise nearly half of the salad when creating a perfect dinner salad. Croutons, seeds, nuts, and additional vegetables like cucumbers are examples of additions.
After preparing your salad, refrigerate it until ready to serve, and dress it right before setting it out on the table. Ben-Ishay suggests preparing extra dressing, which you can store in an OXO Chef's Squeeze Bottle, if you're asked for time. The produce can also be chopped ahead of time; just remember to store each item separately. When you're ready to eat, all you need to do is combine everything with serving tongs.
Ready to transform your salads from side dishes to centerpieces? Understand how to make a perfect chopped salad with professional advice from Melissa Ben-Ishay. Use fresh ingredients, adaptable dressings, and inventive toppings. Shop the correct equipment from OXO Nigeria and make your next salad truly special.
