Table of Contents
Salad Base: Leafy Greens
Culinary Building Blocks to Elevate Your Salad
Part 1: Mix & Match Your Ingredients
Your Ingredient Options for a Salad with a Base of Leafy Greens:
- Base: one or more of lettuce, arugula, baby spinach, chard, collards, or kale
- Texture Essentials: firm and soft add-ons (see suggestions below)
- “Icing”: pickled vegetables and/or dried fruits (see suggestions below)
- Fill Up: proteins (see suggestions below)
- Final Touch: crunchy (see suggestions below)
1/4 cup total per 2 servings:
Beets & Roots: beetroots, carrots, daikon, kohlrabi, parsnip, rutabaga, red radish, turnip
Cole: cabbage (green/ red, napa, savoy, bok choy), cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts
Fruits: apples or pears
Others: asparagus, bell pepper, celery stalks, cucumber, fennel, green beans, mushrooms, mung bean sprouts
1/4 cup total per 2 servings:
Fresh: avocado, corn, peas, tomatoes, or soft fruits
Fried: eggplant, leek, or mushrooms
Baked: (sweet) potatoes, yam, or pumpkin/squash/zucchini
Cheese: blue cheese, crumbled feta, or mozzarella
1-2 tbsp total per 2 servings:
Sour-Salty: Pickled vegetables like artichoke, beetroot, cabbage, capers, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, green beans, olives, onions
1-2 tbsp total per 2 servings:
Sweet: Dried fruits like apricots, cranberries, dates, figs, mango, pineapples, prunes, raisins, or any other that you have at hand.
8 -12 oz total per 2 servings:
Boost the salad with a protein, for instance:
- Baked tofu or fried tempeh
- Tuna or salmon (fresh, seared, or from a can)
- Fried shrimp, chicken, lamb or beef steak
- Boiled eggs or sunny-side-up
- Roasted garbanzo beans
- Ham, bacon, or sausages
1-2 tbsp total per 2 servings:
Finish with 1-2 tbsp of one of the following:
- Baked breadcrumbs (croutons)
- Nuts like almonds, peanuts, pine nuts, walnuts (roasted or raw)
- Seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds, chia, flax, hemp, or sesame seeds
- Chips or any crunchy crackers
Tip: Sprinkle on the plated salad to avoid soaking.
TIP: Add maximal 3 to 6 different ingredients.
Part 2: Basic Dressing
Variations for vinegar and oil: Basic Trio
Adjust oil to your taste and dietary preferences by 1 tbsp more or less.
Add maximal 3 to 6 different ingredients to the leafy greens.
Finish: Toss dressing over
- leafy greens and
- firm and soft ingredients.
Top with remaining ingredients.
Recommended pairings:
- lemon juice & avocado or canola oil & parsley, dill, or mint
- red balsamic vinegar & olive oil & basil or oregano
Recommended spices:
- cumin, fennel, garlic, paprika
Recommended Starting Point:
- Herbs: fresh 1 tbsp or dried 1 tsp
- Spices: 1 tsp
International Salad Recipes
These international salad recipes all share the same foundation of culinary building blocks, but each one incorporates unique and flavorful spices to create a distinct culinary experience. Whether you’re looking to add some variety to your meal routine or impress guests with your worldly cooking skills, these salads are sure to deliver. So without further ado, let’s dive into the delicious world of international salads!
Lebanese Fattoush
ADD cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes, fried chicken & bread.
Greek Halloumi
ADD tomatoes, orange slices, and grilled halloumi, or other firm cheese
Ahi Tuna Salad
ADD orange juice, honey or syrup, and seared ahi tuna steaks.