Lettuce Salad

 Today we are going to look at Lettuce Salads. Most people learn how to make salads simply by eating them. But making a salad at home can be intimidating. So today we are going to look at classic salads and other types that can be made quick and easy at home. (Keep an eye out for our post later this week talking about storing salads and making them ahead of time!)

1. Caesar SaladCaesar salad is the easiest salad you can come across. Traditional Caesar Salads have Romaine Lettuce, Bacon Bits, and Croutons. You can also shred Parmesan Cheese on top! The traditional dressing for this salad is a creamy garlicky dressing that includes cheese (traditionally Parmesan cheese, however, Asiago cheese can also be added), and sometimes even anchovies! Nice additions to this salad are grilled chicken (usually breast), or grilled anchovies.

2. Greek Salad

Greek Salads come in a few different styles but the traditional ingredients (at least in Canada) are Tomatoes (Cherry or Grape), Cucumbers, Olives (Black or Calamata), Red Onion, and Feta Cheese (diced, crumbled or slices). Sometimes you do see Green Peppers also though it isn't as consistent as the other ingredients. There are a few different dressings that can go with this salad traditionally (in Greek) the dressing is a basic vinaigrette with some greek herbs. In Canada, we traditionally have a more herb and spiced-based vinaigrette, or a creamy dressing. I have also seen a balsamic vinaigrette that it pairs very well with.

3. Taco Salad

Taco Salads can be as easy or as complicated as you want them to be. The keys to this salad are Taco Meat ( a great way to use up leftovers), Cheese, and Taco Shells or Corn Chips tossed with lettuce. Beyond that You can add anything you would add to your own tacos (tomatoes, green onions, etc). You can also go beyond that and add rice or beans! The salad dressing for this salad depends on personal taste. Sometimes I add Thousand Island Dressing, however, I have seen people mix sour cream in with the juices of the taco meat or with the flavour packets that come in the taco kit. And some simply eat it with just sour cream.

4. Cobb Salad

The photo above isn't a traditional Cobb Salad, but the basics of a Cobb Salad was simply what the Chef had on hand. A traditional Cobb Salad has Iceberg Lettuce, Watercress, Endive, Corn, Romaine Lettuce, Tomatoes, Bacon, Chicken Breast, Hard-Boiled Eggs, Avocado, Chives, Cheese (Roquefort) and a Red-Wine Vinaigrette. Clearly though you don't have to add all of that. You can add or take away whatever you want. You can also turn it into a "Club" Salad using just the Tomatoes, Bacon and Chicken. If you don't go the traditional route, I believe that a creamy Avocado dressing would go well with any variety of this salad!

5. Chef Salad

A Chef Salad is basically whatever you have in the kitchen again. This time it is much simpler though. Most of the time it is tomatoes and cucumbers, possibly some onions. But really anything you like and have on hand goes into a Chef Salad (radishes, squares of cheese, boiled eggs, even broccoli or cauliflower).