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How To Select The Right Salad Ingredients

By: Kerris Samson

When it comes to making the perfect salad, you first need to learn a little bit about the different types of foods, which can be used. Many salads today will be a combination of several different ingredients each providing their own unique texture and taste the final salad. In this article, we will take a look at various different salad ingredients that you can use and which will help you hopefully to make the perfect salad every time.

1. Lettuce & Green Leaved Plants - Often the most common variety of lettuce that people use to make a salad quickly is the iceberg variety. But there are plenty of others you may want to try which will add a completely different taste and texture to your salad. For instance why not try a butterhead lettuce which is very tender tasting one or the cos lettuce whose leaves are much coarser in texture.

If however, you are completely fed up of using lettuce in your salads why not try something completely different instead. You could try something like Arugula, which originates from Italy and has a tangy, but mildly peppery taste. Alternatively, for something a little more exotic and to provide a more eastern feel to the salad include some Bok Choy, which has a slightly bitter taste to it.

2. Vegetables & Fruit - Although many people prefer to stick with the more favored vegetables and fruits in their salads such as tomatoes or cucumber. There are plenty of other alternatives that they could try instead. Apples are an ideal accompaniment to any salad as they not only add sweetness but crunch as well. But for those who are considering using a plant such as Bok Choy in their salads to make something a little more unusual they could try combining it with bean sprouts, spring onions and cucumber. Then mix up a vinaigrette of sesame seed oil and soy sauce to drizzle over the top.

Other fruits and vegetables that you may want to include in your salad in place of tomatoes, cucumber and green onions are broccoli, beans (red, black, green or kidney ones) and carrots. Also, you can further add more flavor to your salads through the use of herbs and spices including not just garlic, but basil, rosemary and cilantro.

3. Meat and Fish - A salad does not need to be purely made up of fruit and vegetables but can also be used in combination with other ingredients as well. One famous that is world renowned and uses meat (chicken) as a main ingredient in it is Caesar's salad. But if you are looking to use such ingredients in your salad then ensure that you do not use too much and where meat is concerned you use the leanest pieces possible.

If you are someone who does not like to use meat or fish in their salad recipes then why not replace these with cheese instead. But again it is essential that you do not use too much in it. Also to add texture to your salad if you are only using basic salad ingredients is through incorporating nuts or croutons into the recipe. The best types of nuts to use when preparing a salad are peanuts, walnuts or almonds. All give additional crunch and texture to what may otherwise be a very bland meal.

But when it comes to you finding the right kinds of salad ingredients for your salad recipes it is important that you use the freshest ones possible. When shopping for your ingredients avoid those which are marked or bruised or those where the leaves have begun to wilt. Also before you begin preparing the salad make sure that each ingredient has been thoroughly washed to remove any unwanted toxins or chemicals from them. Even salad ingredients which have been packaged and are ready to use should be washed.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
At SaladFacts.com provides information regarding salads and their nutritional value. If you would like to learn more about making great dressings for your salad ingredients click here. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

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