Salads are not just healthy, they are a treat. And though they are a good companion for your rice, adding a variety to a plate of white and red or golden-brown colours, it can be enjoyed alone. There are different styles to give a bowl of vegetable salad ranging from combining various constituents and how they are cut. Before moving on to the checklist, here are general tips for most items.
- If to be eaten raw, rinse off dirt then soak vegetables in saline water for 30 minutes before preparation.
- For steamed vegetables, add a few tablespoons of vegetable oil so they don’t get burnt, and avoid cooking beyond 5 minutes.
- For amazing results, use fresh firm vegetables.
- Cream is optional, depending on style and taste. There is a variety of them in stores ranging from sweet to sour or peppery. You can also come up with your unique homemade dressing.
- Don’t freeze salad. It makes it go soggy.
Now here’s a list to guide:
1. Cabbage: This makes the bulk of most vegetable salads. They can be sliced into strips or chopped into uneven shapes. 2. Carrots: Don’t forget to scrap the skin before use, even though they might look clean from the market. They can be grated, chopped into cubes or sliced as desired. 3. Cucumber: When eating whole cucumbers, eat everything. But when in a salad, remove the seeds and water pockets within. However, cucumbers can also be sliced into oval shapes and there will be no need to remove the seeds. Don’t steam cucumbers. 4. Green Beans: Take heed to pull out the rough strips that line the sides of the pods by cutting both tips off and pulling down carefully. 5. Green Peas: Cook peas in steam till they are done. Be careful not to overcook to avoid squishy results. 6. Green Pepper: Don’t forget to take out the seeds along with the stalk before cutting. 7. Lettuce: It may be time to put down the knife and shred with bare hands instead. 8. Onion: Whether you like this item or not, remember you can’t miss the taste. This would help in choosing whether or not to make an ingredient. 9. Sausage: Once in a while, try to indulge your taste in this optional item. Cut as desired. Chicken and fish are also perfect alternatives. 10. Canned items: They could be sweet corn, canned beans or canned peas. Drain and rinse off preserving solution over a colander. 11. Boiled Eggs: Slice hard boiled eggs using an egg slicer. To keep egg white and yolk intact, don’t mix along with others when stirring. 12. Avocados: Sounds odd? If you can eat avocados with rice, then you can consider making it a salad item. Just make sure they are firm and chopped in big sizes. The same goes for 13. Bananas: Chop one stick into four. Remember to stir gently when mixing both bananas and avocados with other items to avoid squashing. 14. Tomatoes: Just like the carrots and onion, it adds a bright colour to the white and green. 15. Irish Potatoes: Boil and peel off the skin and then cut into cubes.
Remember, this list is not an exhaustive one but most items here are available in the Nigerian market. You would do well to add your items to this.
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Is time I try banana, thanks for the tips,,,
You’re welcome Onyinye.