Who made the salad?

I challenge anyone to say they don’t like some kind of salad. But who decided a salad should be a salad.  And when did a lettuce salad turn into other variety of salads.

Like so many of our topics it is hard to pin point the origin but like many times we can date it back to the Egyptians, Romans and Greeks.  We know the ancient Egyptians ate fresh vegetable so it makes sense they ate some sort of veggie salad.  Greek doctors believed lettuce had healing properties so… Greek Salad!  Romans believed salads to have therapeutic value.

Antipasta

Of course the Italians took salad to a new level.  Commonly call Antipasto which means "before the meal".  As with many Italian dishes the presentation of a salad is important. Antipasto, if done right will invoke a relaxing atmosphere with good conversation and a glass of wine to make it complete.  Well who doesn't like that? It is best to keep the selection on the plate simple, but it can be difficult when you choices are artichoke hearts, tomatoes, variety of cheeses in the world to select from, deli meats, olives, breads…oh my, the options are endless.  But try to keep the selections to about 3 or 4.  Remember it is meant to be a small delight before the main course.

As explorers discovered new lands, new vegetables found themselves in a variety of new salads.  In time certain areas became known for a salad created in their culture.

Italy – Caesar Salad

Greece – Greek Salad

Rome – Columella Salad

Egypt – Cucumber salad

However, it wasn't until the the 19^th century when the United States popularized salads and salad dressings.  In 1976 the term “salad bar” came into existence and by the second half of the 20^th century many countries sold salads in the grocery store and fast food restaurants along with many restaurants having a salad bar.

Some of the most common salads are green salad, which is also called a garden salad made up with a variety of green leafy lettuce. Many times eaten when someone is on a “diet” because of its low calorie count.

Vegetable salad which is made with a variety of veggies but excludes lettuce.  Many times it includes a meat of some sort and cheeses.  Caprese salad, seven layered salad

Bound salads are salads that contain a thick dressing to hold them together.  A common sauce contains mayonnaise.  The most common bound salad is a potato salad. But a few others are pasta, chicken, egg and tuna.  Many times these salads can be used in a sandwich….MMMM, chicken salad sandwich! Ham salad, Waldorf salad

Main Course Salads are also known as “Entré Salads.  These are their own meal which normally contains a protein such as fish, beef or the ever popular chicken.  The meat can be fired, grilled ir deep fried and served on the salad hot or cold.  Greek Salad, Caesar Salad, Chef Salad,  Cobb Salad,  Taco Salad are examples.

Fruit salad  are self explanatory, but remember tomatoes are a fruit so you are already creating a fruit salad when you are making your veggie, green or main salad.  Keep your fruit salads fun and add veggies in with it.  But who doesn’t like a good melon salad when melons come into season?  So refreshing to have one with a great BBQ.

Dessert salads normally do not contain leafy green and are typically sweet in nature.   If you have fruit, jello, whipping cream and marshmallows you have the makings of a fruit salad.  Some common ones are ambrosia, snickers, fruit triffle, cranberry, strawberry pretzel,

If that wasn’t enough to pick from, here are more options for you.

Bean salad

Broccoli slaw

Candle salad

Chinese chicken salad

Coleslaw

Congealed salad

Cookie salad

Crab Louie salad

Çoban salatası (Turkish Salad)

Dressed herring

Eggplant salad

Fattoush

Gado-gado

Gỏi ngó sen - a Vietnamese salad

Israeli salad

Karedok

Larb

Macaroni salad

Niçoise salad

Panzanella

Salad Olivier

Salmagundi

Shopska salad

Somen salad

Som tam

Tabouli

Thai salads

Vinegret

Watergate salad

So today we invite you to make salad.  Our recipe is for Thai Salad.

Thai Salad

This time we are going to do the recipe a little different.   I think everyone knows what to put in a salad.  It really comes down to what you like in them, which is what I did with this one.  The big difference with this salad is to use a few certain ingredients...

Kale - chopped in to small pieces

Cashews - Chopped in to smaller pieces

Sesame Seeds sprinkled on the stop.

After that you can go crazy with whatever veggies you like.

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Green Onions

Red Onions

Peas

Carrots

Peppers

But here is the trick.  If you are like me, you hate a salad that has been sitting in dressing and it become wilted.  Ish!   I always plate my salads by layering the ingredients one at a time so everyone gets all the ingredients.  It always makes me sad when the salad bowl reaches me and I get the last piece of lettuce no one wanted with  a lonely tomato.  I'm already for a great tasting salad and it is just me and a piece of lettuce sitting in the corner!

Salad Dressing

1/3 Cup Olive Oil

3 Garlic Cloves

3 Tablespoons Soy Sauce

2 Tablespoons Water

2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar

2 Tablespoons Honey

2-3 Tablespoons Duck Sauce

Place all ingredient in a food processor and mix until blended.   After I plate the salad that's when I put the dressing on the individual salads or serve in a small bowl on the side.

So there you have it.  Salad!   I know you like one of them on the list!

Now, go out and make something!