Life is too Short to Eat Boring Salad

I cannot tell you the number of times, after sharing a meal with someone or catering an event, I have guests comment on how amazing the salad was. It doesn't matter what else was on the menu, I consistently have people surprised and delighted by the 'unexpected' deliciousness of a salad.

Maybe it is because people generally don't explore salads in their home cooking? I know there was a time in my life, that salad meant chopped iceberg lettuce, supermarket tomatoes and cucumbers and some sliced red onion. Not very interesting and certainly not bursting with flavour. No wonder everyone groans whenever salad is on the menu for dinner!

For me, making and enjoying salad isn't just about eating healthy, it is 100% about flavour. I eat it because it tastes good... pure and simple. However, there are a few tricks to making a salad that will be sure to impress, so I thought I would share my top tips with you here...

Elements of a great salad...

Here is a list of elements to choose from when putting together a spectacular salad. You don't need one of everything but certainly a blend of 5 or 6 of these elements, with suitable seasoning and dressing will have you off to a flying start. Aim for a mixture of textures (creamy, crunchy, crumbly or crispy) and flavours (salty, sweet, sour, savoury) to get the perfect balance.

• Leafy Greens

  Mix it up with the leafy greens. Vary the colours & flavours. Experiment with beetroot or radish tops. Try some micro greens or edible flowers for a boost of flavour and visual appeal.

• Vegetables

  There is such a great array of colours, textures and flavours with vegetables. Try something you don't normally eat or haven't tried before. You may just surprise yourself.

• Proteins

  Salads don't have to mean just vegetables. There are a lot of great salads that include proteins like cured meat, smoked salmon, or grilled chicken. Step it up with a power salad.

• Dairy

  There are so many options to add dairy to salads. From shaved parmesan, aged cheddar or feta. You could make a dressing with yogurt or sour cream. The sky is the limit.

• Herbs & Spices

  An absolute MUST in every salad I make. Fresh herbs will change your salads and your life. If you don't have one already, I recommend starting a herb garden, just for salads!

• Fruit

  Fresh seasonal fruit will add a burst of sweetness and juiciness! Try cherries, strawberries, peaches or pomegranate. You can add some dried fruit when you don't have fresh options.

• Nuts & Seeds

  The perfect boost of crunch and nutrition. Our favourite Tasmanian nuts are walnuts & hazelnuts but we also use pine nuts, almonds and cashews. Try pepitas and sunflower seeds too.

• Grains

  Grains can range from quinoa and cous cous to barley or frekkah. You could also include quality processed grains like pasta, noodles or crusty croutons in this group.

• Beans & Legumes

  There is an endless range of beans & legumes to choose from. From chickpeas to black beans or lentils. They add a great boost of nutrition, colour, flavour and texture.

I know it can seem a little overwhelming at first, however practice makes perfect and you will surprise yourself.

Don't forget, just because we call it salad does not mean it has to be raw vegetables. There are loads of great salads with roasted vegetables like sweet potato, pumpkin and potatoes. I am a fan of char-grilled vegetables like zucchini, broccolini & cauliflower in salads. You can also pickle the vegetables before adding them to salads. Everything from beetroot and radish to cabbage and carrots can be pickled to extend the season of your fresh vegetables. The only limit is your imagination and what you have on hand.

When it comes to the process of putting a salad together I have outlined 5 of my top tips below....

5 Tops Tips for Sensational Salads

1. Start with ingredients, not a recipe - Often recipes include ingredients that are not in season together. This means they have to come from afar before they get to your plate. This equals less flavour, less nutrition and boring salad!

2. Shop seasonally - food in season together, often taste great together. When your ingredients are grown locally and you purchase them in season, they will do the work for you.

3. Know the source - shopping at a farmers market or directly from the farm means you know if your ingredients are grown with chemical inputs, care for the soil, and respect for animals - food that is sourced well tastes better!

4. Shorten the time from paddock to plate - the sooner ingredients get from the paddock to your plate the better they will taste and the more nutrition they will hold. Try growing some of your own ingredients so you can pick them fresh! Especially herbs!

5. Season, Dress & Garnish - use good quality sea salt. We recommend Tasman Sea Salt which you can purchase from our online store. The secret is always in the dressing! No one likes a naked salad! Garnish not only looks enticing, it can add that final flourish of peppery goodness or sensational crunch.

It isn't always easy to get local, seasonal produce. It takes extra effort to get to a farmers market, however purchasing locally grown, seasonal produce that is chemical-free, regeneratively-grown, pasture-raised and ethically-sourced makes a world of difference.
We love a great salad in our house and they are rarely boring! Life is too short for that!