Mix and Match Textures and Colors
Salads are very versatile and the fact that you can mix up the textures makes
salad even more appealing. You can include soft, hard, crispy, crunchy, warm,
and cold ingredients when making salad. If you want to serve, for example,
egg mayonnaise, you might like to combine the softness of the eggs and mayonnaise
with the warmness, and crispiness of some fried, crumbled bacon on top. Do
not be afraid to mix warm and cold ingredients. Warm chicken is wonderful on
a cold mixed leaf base. Salad ingredients come in all colors from yellow to
red to green to purple and more. Salads do not have to be all green and look
truly appetizing when you use different colors.
Using Pasta and Rice when Cooking Salad
Cook both pasta and rice very al dente when you are using them to make salads.
This will allow it to absorb some of the dressing without becoming mushy. Cool
to at least room temperature before adding any vegetables or herbs so they
do not wilt. Remember that both pasta and rice are very filling so be careful
about serving sizes unless people are helping themselves.
Cooking Potatoes for Making Salad
If you are making potato salad, new potatoes are the best variety to use.
If these are not available, you can use boiling potatoes. Do not cook the potatoes
too long else they will crumble. When they are only just tender, this is enough.
Add the dressing when the potatoes are hot so they absorb more of the dressing
flavor, then refrigerate immediately. Potato salad is delicious if you add
finely chopped raw onion for flavor or a handful of grated cheese. This also
keeps well in the refrigerator for several days.
Salad Dressing Tips
You can use store-bought dressings but it is much more fun to make your own!
Mix some fruit juice, such as pineapple, mango, or orange, with vegetable oil,
honey, and nutmeg to make a tangy dressing. For a quick avocado dressing, mix
together half an avocado with some vinaigrette in the blender. Dressing is
to flavor and moisten food, not to drown it, so do not add too much! Match
the dressing with the salad. A fragrant leaf salad is suited to a delicate
herby dressing. A heavy blue cheese or tangy tomato dressing is better for
a richer salad which can stand up to the stronger flavor.
Like fresh cooked homemade soup find more helpful soup info at the link below.
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