Super Summer Salads

Picnic season is upon us! If you’ve got a cookout or a potluck coming up and don’t know what to bring, we suggest creating your own salad. It may seem like a daunting task, but it’s surprisingly simple–and as a bonus, you won’t have to spend hours in a hot kitchen. The best salads are a balance of different colors, flavors, and textures. If you include each of the elements below, we guarantee your salad will be balanced and flavorful.

Go Green

The first step to building a delicious salad is to choose the right base. Iceberg lettuce and romaine are classics for a reason, but for a truly standout dish, it's worth considering more flavorful and nutritious greens like arugula, spinach, or kale. These greens add a nice texture and depth of flavor to your salad, making it more interesting and satisfying. Arugula is tender and peppery, spinach is mild and sweet, and kale is tougher and has an earthy flavor. If you enjoy the flavor of kale but find the leaves too tough, you could consider massaging them before adding them to your salad.

Keep it Colorful

Another important element of a delicious salad is color. The more colorful your salad, the more visually appealing it will be, and the more likely people will be to try it. Add fruits like strawberries or mandarin oranges, or vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes. Not only do these ingredients add color, but they can also add sweetness, crunch, and texture to your salad. 

It’s Crunch Time

Adding a crunchy element or two can turn a good salad into a great salad. If allergies aren’t a concern, nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts–roasted, candied, or plain–are a delicious way to add some textural interest to your salad. If nuts aren’t an option, there are plenty of other ways to add crunch: roasted chickpeas, croutons, fried noodles, and tortilla strips can all add texture and depth to your salad, making it more satisfying and enjoyable to eat.

Don’t Forget Protein

Including a protein is one way to take your salad from a starter or side to a main dish. Grilled meats and seafoods, including chicken, shrimp, salmon, and steak, are easy protein sources, but eggs and cheeses can pack a vegetarian-friendly protein punch as well. If you’re feeding vegan friends, quinoa, beans, and legumes are delicious and nutritious.

Dress it Up

Dressing is an essential part of any salad— it adds flavor and helps bring all the ingredients together. When choosing a dressing, it's important to consider the flavor and texture of your salad. For example, if you have a sweet salad with lots of fruits, you might want to choose a light vinaigrette or a honey mustard dressing to echo the acidity of the fruit. If you have a more savory salad with lots of vegetables and cheese, you might want to choose a creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing. Whatever dressing suits your salad best, make sure to wait until serving time to add it. Putting the dressing on too soon can result in a salad that’s slimy instead of crisp.

Don't be afraid to mix things up when building your salad. You can swap out colorful ingredients or change up the dressing to create a new flavor profile. The key is to have fun and be creative to make your salad more interesting and enjoyable for you and your guests. With a little bit of experimentation, you can create a salad that will be the talk of the party and leave your guests wanting more.

The Leaf, located in downtown Wooster, offers a vast menu, making breakfast through dinner a delightful experience! Open Tuesday through Sunday, our culinary team creates amazing dishes that are sure to delight. Bring a friend or dine solo for a relaxing meal away from home.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest specials and new menu items. Make your reservations at OpenTable or by calling 330-804-0126. Interested in holding your next event at The Leaf? We are happy to accommodate larger parties or planned gatherings.