What's A Salad

[chubbyalaskagriz]

Sister Cath- the "WEDGE" salad you describe is one of my all-time FAVS! I love a big, wet, crisp wedge of iceberg drowned in thick, creamy, tangy BLUE BHEESE with spilt grape tomatoes & crumbled crisp bacon- and maybe if I'm feeling "ALASKAN" a scattering of smoked salmon. YUM!

Also- I too love the carrot-raisin salad you longingly mention. Try whisking a tablespoon or two of PEANUT BUTTER into your MAYO for a nutty, satisfying dressing for it. YUM!

[KYHeirloomer]

When Emeril reopened Delmonicos he made a big deal about bringing back the wedge of iceburg salad.

Until then I hadn't consciously been aware that it had disappeared from menus. When all did that happen?

[chubbyalaskagriz]

I've always been under the impression that wedge salads were from way back during the cheeseball days of the 60's. No, Brook? Just right after the chicken ala king and jello mold heeyday of the 50's...

[cookie]

A salad is cool because you can make it any-thing you want it to be, especially if your at a salad bar. You can make it any way you wish. It holds no judgements on what items you choose to fill your dish or appetite. It is your creation what you were attracted to texture, color, shape, taste. Salads are crisp, light, crunchy, you can eat them as a appetiser or as a whole meal. I Love a Good Salad, nothing quit like it. Cookie

[KYHeirloomer]

See, Cookie? You can tell us how to make one (well, one type). And why the concept appeals to you. And how to eat one.

But, if I were that mythical man from mars, could you tell me what one is? That's the question.

For the record, I've started this thread at three different sites, and so far nobody has been able to do it. Next stop is ChefTalk, where the pros can take a shot.

[Cook Chatty Cathy]

A salad is cool because you can make it any-thing you want it to be, especially if your at a salad bar. You can make it any way you wish. It holds no judgements on what items you choose to fill your dish or appetite. It is your creation what you were attracted to texture, color, shape, taste. Salads are crisp, light, crunchy, you can eat them as a appetiser or as a whole meal. I Love a Good Salad, nothing quit like it. Cookie

Cookie I couldn't have said it better myself!


Kev at least you dress your wedge up

[cookie]

[ And I love a good waldorf salad occassionally! These salads both have raisins we-e-e-e! Also some salads have chopped nuts in them.

Cathy, I Love Waldorf salad to maybe because it's sweet & good looking.
Dressings are a whole different subject. How do you Dress your Salad? Cookie

[KYHeirloomer]

Cookie, I would have to say that most people overdress their salads.

The dressing, IMO, should lend a flavor note, not drown the ingredients. Most of the time there should be just enough dressing so the ingredients glisten with it, but no heavier than that.

The exceptions are those salads in which the dressing is a binding agent. Tuna salad, chicken salad, things like that, where the dressing (mayo, Miracle Whip, whatever) is the mortar that binds the building blocks together.

[chubbyalaskagriz]

This is truly a troublesome thing to try and figger out! So maybe we should do a bit of thinking outside the box?

Let's explore this room by entering the BACK door...

Instead of what a salad IS... let's try answer what a salad ISN'T.

Is there anything- anything at all that is not/cannot be found in a salad?

Let's see, I'm aware of salads that are comprised of everything from raisins to chicken livers... radishes to fish eggs... nuts to frog's legs...

I'm daring myself to come up with just ONE single ingredient that cannot be found in a salad, somewhere... Would that then mean that a salad is ANYTHING?

What about you? Wanna accept the challenge of trying?

[cookie]

I don't put a lot of dressing on my salad just enough for some flavor. I think all salads need something don't you? Salads usually blend into other foods quite well. Now they are doing all kinds of lettuce wraps that are very Healthy for you. Less bread is a great idea.

Don't Underestimate the Power of A Good Salad! Cookie