A salad is an assembled dish, typically containing raw vegetables. It is served with a dressing and usually with a garnish.
Salads can be a meal, a starter, or a dessert. They may be made from a base of raw vegetables, a cooked vegetable, or a combination of both.
Most often, a salad is a blend of various vegetables, usually in different colors. Fruits can be added to the salad to make it a colorful and interesting dish.
Adding a few seeds can add texture and variety to the salad. Seeds can also be a source of healthy fats and fiber.
Generally speaking, it is best to keep a small amount of dressing on the salad. The dressing should not cover the leaves. This helps the dressing to cling better to dry leaves.
When preparing a salad, choose vegetables that are crisp and tender. Older greens are bitter and unpalatable. Younger greens are mild and tender.
The main ingredients should be drained and chilled. If not, the flavors and nutrients will be spoiled. Depending on the season, the vegetables may be marinated in a seasoned liquid before being used in the salad.
To serve a salad, set the plates on trays. Line them up on a work table. Also, it is important to arrange them in such a way that they are not too far apart.
Before serving the salad, it is necessary to remove excess moisture. If the lettuces are wilted, soaking them in warm water can revive them.
