I have always liked eating salad occasionally to cleanse my palette and have a oil free meal. The thing is, the salads sold outside are always so expensive! Thus, I would buy a good head of lettuce and make it myself, which is good for 4 servings.
What my ideal plate of salad looks like:
1) Iceberg lettuce from USA - They are the freshest and crunchiest out of so many countries. You can settle for Australian source if you have to but never go for the Malaysian lettuce. I do not like the bitterness in them because they are mainly meant for stir fry dishes and not salads.
2) Proteins - Hard boiled eggs and shredded chicken
Eggs are a compulsory here because they are so creamy and goes well with any sauce. I would prefer a slightly gooey center and not the dried version. For shredded chicken, it is the best with baked chicken due to the spices and herbs. However, steamed or stewed chicken will work as well. Shred it with 2 forks and voila, you have the meat on top.
3) Fiber - Beside lettuce, you can also add green pepper, olives, orange, pineapple, spinach, corn, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots and other food leftover in your fridge. It makes for a good fulfilling meal, not sacrificing on nutrients either. Some raisins are good too for the natural sweetness.
4) Crunch - Chickpea is the common food here. For me, of course I would add some sunflower or pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, almonds, walnuts. It adds to the crunch and oomph factor and I like that it keeps me slim too.
5) Sauce - Caesar sauce is always the tastiest but also the most sinful ingredient in a salad. If I am home, I would go for a simple dressing consisting of 3 parts of olive oil, 1 part of white vinegar and some lemon juice. You get a really nutritious meal out of this, I guarantee.
Enjoy this healthy snack recipe and let us know if you have more ideas on how to enhance a salad.
