Vegetable salads are not only healthy, they are colorful. This salad can be made with vegetables that come straight from your garden, including carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Once you know how to make a basic vegetable salad, you can modify and include other vegetables to your liking. This article will not only show you how to make a basic vegetable salad and its delicious dressing, but will also give you ideas on how to customize it to suit your taste.
Ingredients
Ingredients for Salad
- 1 piece Romaine lettuce
- 1 tomato
- purple onion
- cucumber
- 1 carrot
This recipe is served for 4 servings
Ingredients for Salad Sauce
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
- A little salt
- A little pepper
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making Salad
Step 1. Cut the lettuce leaves
You will need to cut the lettuce leaves, unless you buy lettuce that is already in strips that are ready to eat. Simply place the lettuce on a surface and cut the bottom where all the leaves gather.
Step 2. Cut the lettuce into smaller pieces
Place a few leaves on top of each other and start cutting the lettuce horizontally. You can also tear the lettuce into small pieces using your fingers. If the lettuce you're using has a thick stem in the middle, be sure to cut it and discard it.
Step 3. Wash and dry the lettuce
Fill a clean sink or bowl with cold water and put the lettuce in it. Move the leaves slowly to release the dirt that sticks. Once the lettuce is clean, dry it with a salad spinner, or place the leaves on a clean towel and pat dry with another towel. The leaves must be dry, or the salad dressing will not stick.
Step 4. Cut the tomatoes into thick slices
Place the tomatoes on a cutting board with the stems facing you, and cut them in half using a serrated knife. Take half of it and place the cut side facing the cutting board. Cut it in half again, starting from the top of the tomato (where the stem is located) to the bottom. Cut each half into thick slices. Start with the dome-shaped part of the tomato and cut towards the center, where the stem is. Repeat this process for the other half.
You can also use cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes. You can use it whole, or cut it in half
Step 5. Slice one onion
Take 1/4 of a purple onion and slice it into thin rings. Use your fingers to separate the wedges of the ring. You can also dice onions.
Step 6. Slice the cucumber
You can peel the skin of the cucumber first, or you can use the cucumber with the skin on. Make sure the cucumber forms thin slices. You can also cut the cucumber into cubes.
Step 7. Cut the carrots
You can cut the carrots into thin slices, or you can grate them. You can also use whole baby carrots.
Step 8. Put all the vegetables in a bowl and stir
Use a pair of salad spoons to gently lift some of the salad and drop it back into the bowl. Remove more of the salad and drop it into the bowl. Keep stirring the salad like this until all the vegetables are evenly distributed.
Step 9. Add salad dressing of your choice
You can use pre-made sauces that you can buy at the store, or you can make them from scratch. If you want to make your own salad dressing, take a look at the how to make a basic salad dressing section in this article. Pour enough dressing over the salad and toss. You can add the amount of sauce you want. In general, the vegetables should be lightly coated in the sauce, and not so much that the sauce doesn't build up at the bottom of the bowl.
Method 2 of 3: Making Salad Sauce
Step 1. Take a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
You will mix the salad dressing in this jar. If you don't have a jar, you can also use a glass bottle. Avoid using plastic materials, as they can affect the taste of the sauce.
Step 2. Pour all the ingredients into a jar
You will need 3 tbsp. olive oil, 1 tbsp. white wine vinegar, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of pepper. For a thicker sauce, use extra virgin olive oil. If you want a more fluid sauce, use liquid olive oil.
- You can also use canola, grapeseed oil, or vegetable oil instead of olive oil. This will give it a softer taste.
- In addition to using white wine vinegar, you can also use apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, or rice vinegar.
Step 3. Consider adding more flavour
You can customize your salad dressing by adding some fresh herbs, honey or sugar, or garlic. Here are some options you can choose from:
- For a touch of fresh herbs, add 1-2 tbsp. sliced fresh herbs, such as basil, cilantro, parsley, mint, or thyme.
- For a sharper taste, add 1 clove of minced garlic. You can also use an onion crusher.
- To give the cheese flavor, add 2 tbsp. finely grated or crumbled cheese, such as parmesan.
- Add a little spicy taste with a little red chili powder or 1 tsp. dijon mustard.
- Add a little sweetness with 1/2 to 1 tsp. honey or sugar.
Step 4. Shake the jar
Close the lid of the jar tightly and shake the jar until all the ingredients are combined. If any sauce is seeping out from under the lid, wipe it off with a damp towel. You can use this dressing on salads and store the rest in the refrigerator.
Step 5. Store the sauce properly
If you have any leftover salad dressing, close the jar tightly and store it in the refrigerator. Use within two to three days.
Method 3 of 3: Creating Variations
Step 1. Consider changing the salad
Vegetable salads can be easily customized. You can add more vegetables, use completely different vegetables, or even change the sauce. This article will give you some ideas.
Step 2. Use different vegetables
You can replace the vegetables in the salad with something else. You can also add more vegetables to your salad in addition to making it more colorful and rich in flavour. Other vegetables often used in vegetable salads include: black olives, mushrooms, onions, radishes, red peppers, and green peppers.
Step 3. Use a different salad dressing
If you don't like the basic salad dressing, you can use a different dressing, such as: French, Italian, red wine vinaigrette, or ranch. You can also use olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice or vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper to spice up a salad.
Step 4. Add some toppings
You can give your salad more flavor and crunch by adding grated parmesan cheese to the top of the salad, or some of your favorite croutons.
Step 5. Add Greek flavor to the salad
Leave the cucumbers, onions, and tomatoes in the salad, but replace the carrots with some chopped red and green peppers and sliced black olives. Add some crumbs of feta cheese and oregano. Put everything in a bowl and mix until smooth. Complete with Italian salad dressing.
You can make a salad with lettuce, or not use it at all
Step 6. Make an East Asian salad
You will need 1/2 cup (125 g) corn kernels, 1 diced tomato, 1/2 cup (75 g) diced cucumber, 3 tbsp. diced pineapple, and a few sprigs of dried cilantro. You'll also need 1/2 cup (50 g) of bean sprouts (dried) and 3 tbsp. pomegranate seeds. Put all ingredients in a bowl. At this point, you can use salad dressing, salt and pepper, or keep it simple with 1 tsp. lemon juice.
Tips
- Make sure that the vegetables in the salad are dry, as the salad dressing will not stick well to the wet vegetables.
- Cut the lettuce leaves before washing them.
- For the best taste, try using fresh vegetables instead of frozen ones.
