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View Full Version : So, What's in Your Tossed Lettuce Salad or Salad Containing Greens?


Clough
Sep 16, 2009, 10:27 PM
Hi, All!

What I'm wanting to know is what you might have in your salad where the main ingredient is some kind of lettuce or greens or combinations of the two. The main ingredient needs to be some kind of green, leafy things, though.

For me, I like darker types of lettuce for my salads. I also like spinach salads. In either of those types, I might have cheese, bits of ham or bacon, mushrooms, sliced carrots, minced onions, minced garlic, fresh ground black pepper and a dressing. Those are things that I usually have readily available in my kitchen.

What do you like in yours, please?

Thanks!

amicon
Sep 16, 2009, 10:37 PM
Avocado and prawns-or crab!

Clough
Sep 16, 2009, 10:48 PM
Hi, amicon!

What are Prawns, please? I'll have to try avocado and crab!

Also, does avocado have much taste? I don't think that I've ever had any.

Thanks!

asking
Sep 16, 2009, 10:54 PM
Red peppers and bay shrimp (little tiny ones)
Green goddess dressing--a ton of parsley and tarragon

amicon
Sep 16, 2009, 11:07 PM
Sorry -English English-prawns are shrimp-avocado s got a nice creamy texture and need a bit of freshly ground pepper to spice them up.:-)

simoneaugie
Sep 16, 2009, 11:11 PM
Wow, you've never had avocado? People either love them or hate them. I like to eat a whole one myself in front of the TV.

If it's in a salad, yum! The best salad addition is Jicama, to me. They're a bit of a pain to peel but well worth it. Then add tomatoes from your garden and Litehouse Bleu cheese dressing.

Oh, and don't forget the feta cheese. Then a little oil, lime juice and salt are all the dressing needed.

Clough
Sep 16, 2009, 11:16 PM
sorry -English English-prawns are shrimp-avocado s got a nice creamy texture and need a bit of freshly ground pepper to spice them up.:-)

So, different kinds of spices and dressings should "help" the avocado to become a delicious member of the "family of salad?"

Thanks!

Clough
Sep 16, 2009, 11:18 PM
red peppers and bay shrimp (little tiny ones)
Green goddess dressing--a ton of parsley and tarragon

Hi, asking!

What's the difference between bay shrimp and other shrimp, please? Is it just because they're tiny?

Thanks!

Clough
Sep 16, 2009, 11:23 PM
Wow, you've never had avocado? People either love them or hate them. I like to eat a whole one myself in front of the TV.

If it's in a salad, yum! The best salad addition is Jicama, to me. They're a bit of a pain to peel but well worth it. Then add tomatoes from your garden and Litehouse Bleu cheese dressing.

Oh, and don't forget the feta cheese. Then a little oil, lime juice and salt are all the dressing needed.

Hi, simoneaugie!

Nope, I don't think that I've ever had an avocado. I pass them in the supermaket all the time and think about sticking the toothpicks in them to put them into a glass of water after having cut a little bit off the bottom of them in order to make a plant out of them!

Now that I think about it though, when you slice an avocado, do the slices have a whole lot of dark seeds around the inner, outside edge of them.

Thanks!

amicon
Sep 16, 2009, 11:26 PM
Yes Clough-spice it up and become an avocado fan!I'm getting hungry now and I just had breakfast!Its 730 am here.

Clough
Sep 16, 2009, 11:26 PM
Then a little oil, lime juice and salt are all the dressing needed.

To me, lime juice and salt sound like they would go better on something like a lettuce salad, but do they also taste good on different varieties of lettuce and other greens?

Thanks!

simoneaugie
Sep 16, 2009, 11:27 PM
Avocado doesn't need to be flavored with something. It has a very distinctive flavor and texture. It's creamy and soft, a perfect contrast for crunchy, more flavorful things.

If you have ever had guacamole, that is mashed avocado flavored with garlic, salt and some salsa.

amicon
Sep 16, 2009, 11:29 PM
Love that too!:-).

Clough
Sep 16, 2009, 11:31 PM
Yes, I've had a lot of guacamole! Boy, am I bad!

I try to have it on certain things that I get at Mexican restuarants!

Did you see my post where I mentioned about the possible seeds arrangement of an avocado?

Thanks!

simoneaugie
Sep 16, 2009, 11:33 PM
I think the fruit you're thinking of with lots of little black seeds in the middle is papaya. Yes avocado is the one with the big seed in it, green flesh and wrinkly black or greenish skin. The easiest way to get the skin off is to cut in in quarters, leaving the seed in it. (The seed is acidic and keeps the green part from oxidizing to black.) Take each quarter into your hand and peel the skin off it. The seed is easy to pop out of one of the quarter sections.

Hey, those toothpicks in a glass are a pain. If you do save the seed, plant it in moist soil. They do come up that way.

Clough
Sep 16, 2009, 11:42 PM
I think the fruit you're thinking of with lots of little black seeds in the middle is papaya. Yes avocado is the one with the big seed in it, green flesh and wrinkly black or greenish skin. The easiest way to get the skin off is to cut in in quarters, leaving the seed in it. (The seed is acidic and keeps the green part from oxidizing to black.) Take each quarter into your hand and peel the skin off of it. The seed is easy to pop out of one of the quarter sections.

Hey, those toothpicks in a glass are a pain. If you do save the seed, plant it in moist soil. They do come up that way.

Thanks for the instructions on how to prepare the avocado for eating, simoneaugie!

I think that you're correct about what I was describing as being a papaya. I've had lots of those!

Around where I live, avocadoes make a better house plant because of the harsh winters.

Thanks!

J_9
Sep 17, 2009, 05:57 AM
Yum... Salads...

Greens, lettuce and spinach, banana pepper rings, grilled chicken, green and red pepper, red onion, bacon bits (the real thing, not the stuff in the jar), crutons, and Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (the kind you make yourself)... Did I forget anything?

amicon
Sep 17, 2009, 07:00 AM
No that's sums it up nicely.:-)

Clough
Sep 17, 2009, 01:15 PM
Hi, J_9!

Is there a reason that you might choose red onions over other types, please? Red onions do happen to be my favorite type of onion because they're so strong in taste.

Thanks!

J_9
Sep 17, 2009, 01:17 PM
I just like the flavor of a red onion... it's sweeter.

Just Looking
Sep 19, 2009, 11:18 AM
In the past, I never liked my salads. I started gardening for the first time this year and I feel like I have perfected the perfect salad. :) I go out daily and pull leaves from about 8 varieties of lettuce. I put in two radishes (one regular and one bell) and a few slices of tomato - both from my garden. Sometimes I'll add a couple of slices of cucumber. I top it with a couple of slices of avocado, pine nuts, pecans and bleu cheese dressing. I probably have this 5-6 times a week and absolutely love it every time.

justcurious55
Sep 19, 2009, 11:34 AM
I like to put berries in my spinach salad. I think it's nearing the end of the berry season now, since I've been having a harder time finding sweet berries. But I like to load my spinach salad up with strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries. And sometimes even mango and apples. When I put fruit in with the greens I usually make my own dressing using yogurt (I like greek yogurt because it's nice and thick), orange juice and a little honey. I like to throw in candied pecans or candied walnuts sometimes too.

FlipOverBuggie
Sep 19, 2009, 11:53 AM
Yes, I've had a lot of guacamole! Boy, am I bad!!

I try to have it on certain things that I get at Mexican restuarants!

Did you see my post where I mentioned about the possible seeds arrangement of an avocado?

Thanks!

I think you're thinking of kiwi!

Clough
Sep 19, 2009, 05:04 PM
In the past, I never liked my salads. I started gardening for the first time this year and I feel like I have perfected the perfect salad. :) I go out daily and pull leaves from about 8 varieties of lettuce. I put in two radishes (one regular and one bell) and a few slices of tomato - both from my garden. Sometimes I'll add a couple of slices of cucumber. I top it with a couple of slices of avocado, pine nuts, pecans and bleu cheese dressing. I probably have this 5-6 times a week and absolutely love it every time.

Eight varieties of lettuce! That's like me and my putting four or five different kinds of cheese in my macaroni and cheese. I do that most of the time.

I have to avoid the tree nuts though, because I'm highly allergic to them. Others that aren't, might enjoy them in their salads.

Thanks!

Clough
Sep 19, 2009, 05:11 PM
i like to put berries in my spinach salad. i think it's nearing the end of the berry season now, since i've been having a harder time finding sweet berries. but i like to load my spinach salad up with strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries. and sometimes even mango and apples. when i put fruit in witht the greens i usually make my own dressing using yogurt (i like greek yogurt because it's nice and thick), orange juice and a little honey. i like to throw in candied pecans or candied walnuts sometimes too.

I'll have to try the berry thing in a spinach salad. Never tried that before...

I'd be interested in you elaborating more about making your own dressing using yogurt, if you would be willing to do that?

Thanks!

Clough
Sep 19, 2009, 05:16 PM
Originally Posted by Clough https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/food-drink/so-whats-your-tossed-lettuce-salad-salad-containing-greens-397122-post1982421.html#post1982421)
Yes, I've had a lot of guacamole! Boy, am I bad!!

I try to have it on certain things that I get at Mexican restuarants!

Did you see my post where I mentioned about the possible seeds arrangement of an avocado?

Thanks!



I think you're thinking of kiwi!

Hi, FlipOverBuggie!

You just might be correct about that! I'll have to buy both a papaya and a kiwi at the grocery store and check them out!

Thanks!

rockie100
Sep 19, 2009, 06:21 PM
strawberrys, red onion, greens/lettuce and for the dressing
1/2 C. sugar
2 Tb. Poppy seeds
3/4 C. mayo
2 Tb. vinegar
Mix=yum

rockie100
Sep 19, 2009, 06:25 PM
Gorganzola cheese, red onion, candied walnuts or pecans, red grapes or dried cranberries and for the dressing Balsamic Vinegar

Clough
Sep 19, 2009, 09:44 PM
Hi, rockie100!

Now, that's a really different but interesting variation on a lettuce/greens salad!

What kind of cheese is gorganzola, please?

Thanks for sharing!

rockie100
Sep 19, 2009, 10:11 PM
My pleasure Clough,
It's a Italian blue cheese made from cow or goats unskimmed milk. You crumble it over the salad. Its creamy, a little salty, It has a nice bite to it. Im from Minnesota, I just love cheese.

justcurious55
Sep 19, 2009, 11:01 PM
To make the yogurt dressing I start with some plain greek yogurt. How much all depends on how much you plan to serve. So if it'd just for me or just me and 1 other I'll take about 1/4 of a cup. Then about 2-3 teaspoons of honey, and about a tablespoon of orange juice and mix it up. You can always adjust it to make it more or less sweet and add more or less juice to get it to a consistency that you like. I like making this one because you really can't mess it up.

I love extra cheesey mac and cheese. Want to share your recipe? :)

justcurious55
Sep 19, 2009, 11:03 PM
For when you buy your papaya... I recently tried a red caribbean papaya for the first time. It's one of my new favorite fruits now! The way I was taught to prepare it was squeezing a little lime over it and mixing the papaya chuncks in with greek apricot mango yogurt. But it was good by itself too.

Clough
Sep 19, 2009, 11:28 PM
Hi, justcurious55!

Where does one find Greek apricot mango yogurt, please? I've never seen that around where I shop.

Thanks!

Clough
Sep 19, 2009, 11:36 PM
to make the yogurt dressing i start with some plain greek yogurt. how much all depends on how much you plan to serve. so if it'd just for me or just me and 1 other i'll take about 1/4 of a cup. then about 2-3 teaspoons of honey, and about a tablespoon of orange juice and mix it up. you can always adjust it to make it more or less sweet and add more or less juice to get it to a consistency that you like. i like making this one because you really can't mess it up.

i love extra cheesey mac n cheese. wanna share your recipe? :)

Thanks for the recipe for the yogurt dressing, justcurious55! :)

Sure, I'd love to share what I do with macaroni and cheese! But, that is something that probably should be on another thread since this thread is about salads made of various kinds of lettuce and greens.

But, maybe mac n cheese can work with a green type of salad.. I don't know...

None-the-less, a thread devoted to macaroni and cheese, I'm sure, would be much fun and informative!

Thanks!

excon
Sep 20, 2009, 06:51 AM
Hello C:

I'm a lover of the classic Caesar Salad... I made one the other day in honor of the closing of Caesars Restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico where it was invented.

You got to use a wooden bowl, and wooden salad spoons... Rub the whole cloves of garlic on bowl. After that, sprinkle a little salt on them, add lots of anchovies, a bit of anchovy oil and crush the garlic and anchovy into a paste with a couple forks. The salt will help in the grinding...

Add a dolop of dijon mustard so the mixture will form an emulsion. Run a bottle of worstershire sauce around the rim of the bowl ONCE. Add some red wine vinagar, maybe a touch of basalmic vinagar, a coddeled egg, and the juice of a lemon. Mix vigoursly until the mixture emulsifies. Keep mixing while you add about twice as much salad oil as you did vinagar. Then add the hearts of romaine. Toss with croûtons, parmasan cheese, and lots of freshly ground black pepper.

Enjoy.

PS> I have a lot of misspellings in my post. I don't know why. It's TOO many to copy each word and paste it somewhere else... It would be EASIER if we had a spellcheck here.

justcurious55
Sep 20, 2009, 11:00 AM
I got to trader joe's for the greek apricot mango yogurt. I know other brands have greek yogurt but I haven't found another one with that flavor. I like the greek yogurt because it's really thick. But I'm sure any favorite yogurt would work.

Clough
Sep 20, 2009, 11:42 AM
Hello C:

I'm a lover of the classic Caesar Salad... I made one the other day in honor of the closing of Caesars Restaurant in Tijuana, Mexico where it was invented.

You gotta use a wooden bowl, and wooden salad spoons... Rub the whole cloves of garlic on bowl. After that, sprinkle a little salt on them, add lots of anchovies, a bit of anchovy oil and crush the garlic and anchovy into a paste with a couple forks. The salt will help in the grinding...

Add a dolop of dijon mustard so the mixture will form an emulsion. Run a bottle of worstershire sauce around the rim of the bowl ONCE. Add some red wine vinagar, maybe a touch of basalmic vinagar, a coddeled egg, and the juice of a lemon. Mix vigoursly until the mixture emulsifies. Keep mixing while you add about twice as much salad oil as you did vinagar. Then add the hearts of romaine. Toss with croutons, parmasan cheese, and lots of freshly ground black pepper.

Enjoy.

PS> I have a lot of misspellings in my post. I dunno why. It's TOO many to copy each word and paste it somewhere else.... It would be EASIER if we had a spellcheck here.

Hi, ex!

I'm glad that you've joined with us here!

I too, love the Caeser salads! Is there a particular reason for using things to prepare them out of wood, please?

Thanks!

Clough
Sep 20, 2009, 11:45 AM
i got to trader joe's for the greek apricot mango yogurt. i know other brands have greek yogurt but i haven't found another one with that flavor. i like the greek yogurt because it's really thick. but i'm sure any favorite yogurt would work.

Hi again, justcurious55!

Way down South, and I mean like down around the Equator, I've heard that they actually drink yogurt rather than needing a spoon to facilitate consuming it.

If the Greek yogurt was runny, would that work for the type of dressing that you like to make?

Thanks!

excon
Sep 20, 2009, 11:46 AM
Is there a particular reason for using things to prepare them out of wood, please?Hello C:

I'm sure there is, but I don't know. It's the way they had us do it at the restaurant I worked in. I'm sure it's to infuse the bowl with some garlic essence or something... Frankly, I can't see any difference between a coddled egg and a raw one either, but my palate is shot.

excon

justcurious55
Sep 20, 2009, 10:06 PM
If you were going to use a runnier yogurt, I would probably see if there were any flavored ones and add less juice, or maybe even not any juice.

Two things come to mind when I think of drinkable yogurt. I think of the "smoothies". Which I don't really know why they're called smoothies because too me they're really nothing like a smoothie. Or kefir. Technically kefir is cultured milk but it's often mistakenly called drinkable yogurt. I prefer that over the other ones because it tends to not be as overwhelmingly sweet. It comes in all sorts of flavors. I like raspberry or pomegranate best :)

justcurious55
Sep 20, 2009, 10:06 PM
excon,
What is a coddled egg?

excon
Sep 21, 2009, 04:59 AM
Hello just:

According to me, it's an egg dipped in boiling water... According to the professionals, it's something else... So, I guess the bottom line, is I don't know.

excon

Just Dahlia
Sep 21, 2009, 11:38 AM
It's an egg in it's shell put in boiling water and leaving to sit 2 minutes off the fire. Then remove from the shell.

Just Dahlia
Sep 21, 2009, 11:48 AM
Leaves of your choice
Shelled shrimp
Dried cranberries
Sunflower seeds
Ranch dressing (with a little basalmic vinegar mixed into it)

If you are alergic to tree nuts, you can use any type of seeds to give a nutty flavor or just crunch up some Trisket Crackers.

earthmama
Sep 21, 2009, 11:49 AM
Black or green olives,shredded carrots,shredded raw cabbage,cherry or grape tomatoes,cucumber,sliced red radishes,roll up a slice of cheese with a slice of deli meat(hard salami,ham,turkey)and slice the roll, to top off a salad,sliced hard boiled eggs,sunflower seeds. Also, nothing beats a home-made dressing. There are many easy recipes,for these dressings.

Just Dahlia
Sep 21, 2009, 12:05 PM
Watercress
Chopped walnuts or sunflower/pumpkin seeds
Crumbled Bleu cheese or Gorgonzola
Herbed mustard vinaigrette

:)

Spinach
Can of mandarin oranges
Thin sliced red onion
Chopped hard cooked egg
Crispy bacon chopped
Parmesan cheese
Raspberries vinaigrette

Clough
Sep 21, 2009, 12:58 PM
Hi, All!

Wow, such a variety of things that can be put into a tossed salad! I never would have thought of some of them!

Thanks!