6 Simple Salads to Add to Springtime Menus
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When springtime rings, there’s one dish that represents the fresh flavors of the season better than most others: salads. A range of greens, toppings, dressings and the like are at your disposal, letting you make the perfect mix to suit your taste.
If you’re adding salads to your menu for the first time this spring or seeking a little inspiration for something new, these popular varieties can get you started.
Green
Nothing too out of the ordinary here! Just pick your favorite leafy greens (romaine, spinach, kale and the like) then toss with veggies like sliced onions or radishes, raw or cooked peppers, tomatoes and other fresh toppings.
Caesar
One of the most popular varieties, it’s also one of the easiest to make at home. Toss romaine lettuce with shaved and/or grated Parmesan cheese, crunchy croutons and garlicky dressing for a salad that goes with just about anything.
Cobb
Known as a “composed salad” as opposed to tossed varieties like Caesar, a cobb salad includes layers of ingredients rather than mixed. It traditionally includes lettuce, cubed turkey, tomatoes, avocado and bacon, but the hallmark of a cobb salad is the halved hard-boiled eggs.
Greek
Start with shredded lettuce then combine with tomatoes, peppers, onion and cucumbers. Add kalamata or Greek olives then finish with crumbled feta cheese and vinaigrette.
Wedge
Offering a heartiness worthy of its own meal, wedge salads boast – you guessed it – thick wedges of crisp iceberg lettuce and are plated alongside bacon and cherry tomatoes, all drizzled with blue cheese dressing.
Caprese
Another example of a composed variety, caprese salads typically include layers of basil leaves, sliced tomatoes, thick-cut rounds of mozzarella and balsamic glaze.
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