two salad charts!
a base + something crunchy + something rich + the right dressing = a great salad
Okay ya’ll. I’m really into these charts!
I don’t plan for this to become exclusively a Chart Newsletter, but I’m offering two charts for salads this week because I love salads and make different salads all of the time and people always ask me how I make them. So here you go!
The first chart is for lettuce-ish salads:
A few notes from the dressing section:
S&P = salt and pepper
ACV = apple cider vinegar
Tbsp = tablespoon
For the classic Caesar - use the whole 2 oz can of anchovies, oil + all
for the vegan Caesar - the 2 tablespoons of capers should be drained
As you can see, I like a base of something with integrity (nothing super delicate here!) plus something crunchy for texture plus something rich to make the salad more substantial plus the a great dressing for the occasion which is like having the right jacket for the weather — another will do, but having the one you really need for the context makes a big difference.
This formula (base + crunchy thing + rich thing + dressing) unlocks so many salads. It opens you up not only to lettuce-based salads like the Caesars + chopped salads in the chart above, but also composed salads (like a classic Nicoise salad or a chef salads) and the entire world of non-lettuce salads. I’m talking grain salads, bean salads, tomato salads, avocado salads, cucumber salads, potato salads, and more. Your base, in other words, does not have to be lettuce! It can be anything. Just add crunch, richness, and dressing.
Here are some examples:
I hope this helps you if you’re in a salad rut or if you’ve ever felt a little mystified by how delicious salads come together. Remember: anything can be a salad!
If you’d like to hear more my thoughts on salad (including the intersection of salads + diet culture), you can revisit my Pizzeria Salad missive from last year — see here!
No class this coming Sunday! I’ll be on a trip. I’ll be back here next week though with something for you…maybe another chart, maybe something else! The possibilities!
Take good care xo, Julia
Oh I LOVE these charts! One of my kitchen aspirations is becoming more confident about cooking without a recipe, while also making do with/using up what we have in the fridge/pantry (and not wasting food - or wasting much less!). Your charts are helping with this SO very much. And you are helping me with many other things as well, Julia, especially letting go of diet culture (a work in progress) and trusting myself and taking pleasure in what I eat and... the list goes on and on. Thank you - I am incredibly grateful for you and your work.
New subscriber but longtime fan of your recipes and cookbooks. Happy to have found this newsletter! Safe travels. ❤️