Good Lifestyle

In many kitchens, salads are relegated to the sidelines and treated as a reflection afterwards main course . However, when it is well done, a well -composed - fresh, balanced and unexpected salad - can easily steal the show. Choosing surprising ingredients and making creative calls on how to combine them will make the most durable impression.

Olivier Rousselle , a chef for The Alk of the Godfrey Hotel hotel (About the last knife) in Hollywood, California, adds that if you want your salad to take the scene, quality control is essential.

"I always like to choose the ingredients of the farmers' market, as opposed to the origin of the store - the difference is enormous in terms of flavor and texture," he said Better life. "For example, the tomatoes in stores are all shiny and perfectly formal but sometimes bland. The heritage tomatoes develop in funky shapes and colors, but they burst with flavor and are full of nutrients."

But do not go to the farmer market for the moment - you will first have to make your grocery list. These are the 10 unexpected salad ingredients you want to try, according to the high -level chiefs.

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Taking marks of seasonal changes is a great way to keep your ingredients fresh and always introduce something new to your salads, said Nate Molina , executive chief for The Genesee store In Taylorsville, California. As summer approaches, he recommends adding watermelon for a light, soft and crunchy addition.

"Spring and summer are good times for brunch because there are so many wonderful seasonal ingredients to play with", explains Molina Better life .

He says that one of his favorite recipes includes watermelon, arugula and red onions marinated with grilled pepitas, feta cheese and balsamic frosting. This is easily associated with steak and scrambled eggs or bagels and lox with cream cheese and capers, he notes.

"I often make this salad when we organize a brunch at the end of spring or early summer. This always surprises our guests because the ingredients are unusual, the flavors work well together, and it is a very vibrant addition to The table, "he said.

The flavor is not the only factor to consider when preparing a salad - your goal should be to stir all the senses.

"When building a salad, I like to keep the color in mind and use a variety of green leafy vegetables so that people can start enjoying the salad before eating it," said Donnie Forde , chef for Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown's Limestone roof .

"One of my favorite combinations for a base is spinach babies, baby rocket, finely grated carrots and finely grated purple cabbage. It makes a beautiful flavor and a combination of colors, and it's an ideal base For many additional ingredients, "he said.

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The inclusion of candied or roasted nuts can also add a surprising touch to your salad, says Forde. Try to choose a flavor profile that contradicts the rest of your salad: for example, put sweet caramelized pacans at the top of a tasty salad or roasted nuts on a softer salad with pear, cranberries and cheese Goat.

Saving certain spices on your salad can also pack a major punch. Rousselle recommends trying sumac, ground berries with a light and tangy flavor. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB

"I like to sprinkle on a salad - it brings a spicy lemonie flavor that works very well with Mediterranean salads like Fattoush or a Greek salad. With a good finishing olive oil, they cost more, but you don't need a lot and they have tasted great, "said the chef.

Tart and tasty, not to mention the texturally notable pomegranate seeds, can help you puncture your salad with a minimum of preparation work involved, explains the forehand.

A Simple but popular recipe Includes grenades, apples, pear, goat cheese and pacan at the top of a bed of arugula. The addition of a ginger vinaigrette can help cut the softness of the fruit.

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Many people forget the simple power to add fresh herbs To a salad, but these can transform a recipe and add a welcome complexity to the profile of flavor.

"I don't think enough people put herbs in their salads," said Reed Adelson , Owner of Virginia At New York. "Often, when I make a salad, I will reach fresh herbs on more traditional toppings such as tomatoes, cucumber, etc. whether chives or dill, they add a nice shade to a salad and pack Perfect punch.

A few other stars salad trim include fresh basil, coriander, oregano and thyme.

Forhand says that the key to creating a salad that is both exciting and satisfactory is to use a range of textures with intention. "Salads are generally very textural dishes with several crunchy, crunchy and sweet texture combinations," he said.

To this end, the chef says that he likes to balance the extremes of crunchy and soft ingredients with crunchy water chestnuts. Jicama is an alternative that serves a similar texture objective and can be associated with apples and mangoes for a light and refreshing recipe.

Many people assume that salads should start with a green leafy base, but Mayoral of Rafael , chief for Zoe's Pescatore Tratoria hotel In San Francisco, says that a salad can be more interesting without one.

"The most delicious salad for me begins without green lettuce or vegetables," he said Better life . "I prefer a base of tomatoes and cucumbers with a lot of olive oil and nothing sour. This trio is an incredible launch pad for any flavor. You can keep it light and twin with fruits of Fresh sea, such as shrimp or a grilled shrimp.

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There is a thin line between a grain bowl garnished with vegetables and a salad garnished with grains, but that would not bother to blur this line once you try it. The forehand recommends cooking and cooling whole grains such as quinoa, farro, bulgar or black rice and keep them on hand as an easy addition.

Finally, stone fruits such as peaches, plums, cherries, apricots and nectarines also tend to be underused in salads, known as Forand. However, these can add huge amounts of flavors to your favorite salad, especially if you dip them in a Red wine vinegar and honey marinade To play their acidity and sweetness.