![Seven easy ways to pimp your salad (1) Seven easy ways to pimp your salad (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.canberratimes.com.au/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/MUwv8t3Wj4u7LSUBpSbqhh/7c95fde2-87de-42e3-886b-66410326d66e.jpg/r174_0_5842_3182_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Think about what's in season and how it would work in a salad. Picture: Shutterstock
Growing up a salad would mean some iceberg lettuce, a bit of sliced cucumber, some cherry tomatoes if mum was feeling really fancy and, if she was feeling totally over the top, some of those pre-cubed pieces of cheese. If there was any dressing at all it would be from a bottle. It's no wonder that I've always found salads to be completely uninspirational.
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Alongside this basic, let's call it a green salad, there'd be potato salads and pasta salads, those bog standard versions that would turn up at every party like an unwanted guest. For a while that ridiculous salad made with those crunchy Asian noodles showed up too.
We all know we should be eating more vegetables so salads seem the perfect option to serve alongside meat dishes or indeed stepping up and being the star of the show themselves.
But how to put a proper salad together? It's about, somewhat, experimenting with flavours and foods that you like. Fancy avocado and strawberries? Try them with some greens and a dressing and see what happens.
Stripped down, if you follow these six steps, the salad will fall into place.
1. Choose a base: try mixed leafy greens, baby spinach, kale or rocket. Despite bad memories, I still believe the iceberg lettuce is the most underrated lettuce there is. Don't discount it.
2. Add some crunch: think beans, cauliflower, carrot, celery, cucumber, radish, sprouts or onion.
3. What's your protein: even if your salad is an accompaniment to a meal, there's still a place for protein. Try quinoa, buckwheat or toast up some chickpeas. Don't forget the odd egg either, a nice runny yolk makes an extra dressing.
4. Add some fat: good fats such as avocado, flaxseed oil, olive oil or tahini are delicious additions.
5. More texture: think about tossing in some nuts or seeds.
6. Green it up: add handfuls of herbs such as mint, coriander or basil.
7. Get dressed: keep it simple or make the dressing a star. You can even just drizzle a little quality olive oil. Keep an eye out for infused oils for extra flavour.
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Karen Hardy
Canberra Times lifestyle reporter
I've covered a few things here at The Canberra Times over the years, from sport to education. But now I get to write about the fun stuff - where to eat, what to do, places to go, people to see. Let me know about your favourite things. Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au
I've covered a few things here at The Canberra Times over the years, from sport to education. But now I get to write about the fun stuff - where to eat, what to do, places to go, people to see. Let me know about your favourite things. Email: karen.hardy@canberratimes.com.au
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