Oh, how I love salad! As local veggies become more available throughout the season, the salads get tastier. There are so many different directions to take a salad, and here are my Ten Things to Put in a Salad (often together!)
1. Arugula. Mixed in with a less flavorful green, it can add zip.
2. Fresh herbs. I snip in a little of whatever is growing in the garden. Right now that means mint, chives, and sage.
3. Sun-ripened tomatoes. I prefer the sweet-100s from the deck once they start ripening.
4. Pickled lemons. These bring a little sunshine to your taste buds. Dice them up and look forward to each bite!
5. Sunflower seeds. Just a sprinkle of them is enough.
6. Crumbled cheese. I like goat or feta.
7. Boiled egg. I chop the egg. Nothing like a little kick of protein in the salad.
8. Craisins. Other fruit is good, too, but since I always have these in the house, they are a year-round salad staple.
9. Cukes. I like them peeled and seeded and diced.
10. Kalamata olives. Rough chop them and toss ’em in!
As I re-read my list, I realize that this is mainly my 3/4 year salad. In the summer, I add whatever is fresh, but I still enjoy these flavors mixed in. I don’t usually dress my salads, but if I am going to make dressing, I like a mustard vinaigrette that Sara makes (it is tres French) or Penzey’s Country French vinaigrette.
How about you? What do you put in your salad?
Hmm, pickled lemons. I’ve been eyeing these forever. You might have given me the push I’ve needed.
I’m going to have to investigate those pickled lemons myself! And the sunflower seeds…thanks for the reminder there!
I’ve never heard of pickled lemons! Will have to try that for sure. I also haven’t tried herbs in salad except for basil. Will give that a go as well. Thanks for the inspiration!
in my salad rule book, a good salad *MUST* have each of these three elements: (1) something crunchy (sunflower seeds, slivered or chopped nuts, sesame sticks…), (2) something sweet (dried currants, dried cranberries, fresh sliced strawberries…) and of course, (3) something cheesy (crumbled gorgonzola, crumbled goat, shredded cheddar…). the possibilities are endless, and you just can’t go wrong!
Sounds delicious, especially the pickled lemons.
There are so many delicious salad ingredients, it’s hard to stop at 10!!! 🙂
Pickled lemons? Really? I’ve been hearing about them all spring; I guess I’ll have to try them!
well I’ve never…pickled lemons?? WOnderful idea
I put sundried tomatoes in mine until garden fresh come to the table in August here IN chicago.
I put chick peas in mine.
A touch of shredded cheese
I make a killer basil vinaigrette for a dressing.
I also love to put in Hormel real bacon bits… no work..all the flavor.
the pickled lemons are a home run for sure! with this much variety, I think I could live off salad for a long time….
Add me to the “I’ve never heard of pickled lemons” group. I need to try these. Where do you find them?
Every time I tried to think of something, it was already in your list!!!! So…how about this: bread. Like, hearty cubes of country bread, toasted on the stovetop, panzanella-style 🙂