Whats in your Salad?

fuzzy_dogs_mom

It's just seven things dumped together in a bowl:  lettuce, chopped tomato, one lb. of diced cheddar cheese, a can of drained kidney beans, two or three small cans of drained, sliced black olives, one bunch of chopped green onions (green part, too) and a bag of doritos.  It seems the salt from the doritos mixes with the moisture from the beans, olives and tomatoes and it sort of makes its own dressing. 

ottoluv

The only problem is that I HATE making them for whatever reason lol.

Probably all the never-ending chopping.  But now almost anything that you would chop up in a salad comes in little bags in the produce department - already chopped. Now that I know shredded carrots come in a bag and I don't have to grate them, I might even make a carrot cake again.

Joyce

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Now that I know shredded carrots come in a bag and I don't have to grate them, I might even make a carrot cake again.

Or you could buy a cheapy food processor (I have two. One was $30, and is 5 or 6 years old, one was $80 and is just over a year old, and the $30 works much better than the $80 one..go figure..they're even the same brand!) with a grating blade. Makes it easy peasy to grate anything. I made a fabulous carrot cake for Easter, I grate cheese for random things, potatoes for hash browns, vegetables for dog food, veggies to hide in muffins for my niece.. I don't know what I'd do without a food processor. I don't even have a regular box grater!

And on mine, if you flip the blade over, it's a slicer. Great for slicing stuff for salads, lemme tell you.

ottoluv

The problem with food processors is you have to clean them too.

Haha, true! And when I didn't have a dishwasher, I never used it just for that reason. But with a dishwasher, I just pop all the parts in and they come out clean as a whistle. I hate cleaning anything.

ottoluv

LOL, I"m sure you are right, it's just my lazyness and not wanting to chop chop chop. The problem with food processors is you have to clean them too. Gosh, I've become lazy!

Aah!  A girl after my own heart.  I've gotten so I just eyeball everything and if it looks like it's going to take longer than about 5 min. to throw it  together or 5 min. to clean up after, I get take out. If it wasn't for slow cooker liners, I wouldn't even be using that appliance.

Joyce

fuzzy_dogs_mom

If it wasn't for slow cooker liners, I wouldn't even be using that appliance.

They make those...that would be awesome.  I have one of those weird oblong versions though...do they make them for that size?  WOW!  I hate cleaning that thing.  It's so big it won't fit in my sink and is a total pain to clean.

mrstjohnson

They make those...that would be awesome.  I have one of those weird oblong versions though...do they make them for that size?  WOW!  I hate cleaning that thing.  It's so big it won't fit in my sink and is a total pain to clean.

Yes!!!  They fit everything from a 4 qt. round to the  big 6-1/2 qt. oblong, with plenty to hang over the sides.  Mine is  the big oblong one that won't fit in the sink either.  Now I don't even have to wipe it out - unless I accidentally pierce the liner with a big fork getting something out of it. The only problem with them is  that they come just 4 to a box, so when I find a good price on them I stock up.

Joyce

fuzzy_dogs_mom

LOL, I"m sure you are right, it's just my lazyness and not wanting to chop chop chop. The problem with food processors is you have to clean them too. Gosh, I've become lazy

Tooo funny !! I have found over the years that cooking is one of the few times that I am not contstanly pestered.  Of Course now that the5 grands want to learn how to cook on my nights IF I have the energy I give every one a job and we all work together though Setting tables isn't enough anymore... the 3 year old to the 8 year old mix ( I premeasure) chop and blend, they set the timers and temps and yes I make the older two read directions. On days when I frankly don't have the energy I just wait till nap time for the youngest two and get everything tossed in a pot, slow cooker etc.... and then they have to settle for table duty.  Now if you want a real laugh try washing dishes and clearing up with 5 kids eagerly "helping" you.   I always have to wash the kitchen floor after since a great deal of the water does not seem to stay in the sink.  My daughter called me this am to tell me the dishwasher is apparently broken.... sigh .... what else is new. 

I can actually get into a zen like calm chopping and blending. Even though I have a great bread maker I prefer to use the old fashion method when I have time and kids to entertain. You should see the 3year old pound rising dough !! My processor is used most often for puree'ing , I prefer the blender since that means Margaritas are only a wish away  

Bonita of Bwana

 I too, love the chopping aspect of making a salad.  I find it relaxing and I like the fact that I'm better at it now than a year ago.  I watch alot of cooking shows and sadly I aspire to be able to chop veggies like Rachael Ray.  LOL.  After that, maybe Bobbie Flay. 

What I don't like about making salads is washing the lettuce.  I really really need to get me a salad spinner because there is nothing more annoying than wet lettuce.  At least over here, I've never found an Earwig in my lettuce.  That was a common thing when I lived in Vitoria.

huskymom

I watch alot of cooking shows and sadly I aspire to be able to chop veggies like Rachael Ray.  LOL.  After that, maybe Bobbie Flay. 

Me too but I've got a long ways to go. I guess some of it is having confidence that you won't chop off a finger and I'm not there yet .

Speaking of cutting off a finger - I have one of those small food processors and the first time I went to wash it, I almost cut my finger off on the blade. That thing is sharp!!!

cakana

Me too but I've got a long ways to go. I guess some of it is having confidence that you won't chop off a finger and I'm not there yet .

And this is exactly the reason that I buy the lettuce and everything that's going into a salad already chopped up in little plastic bags or boxes. Maybe it's not environmentally sound, but it's definitely safer if I'm the one wielding the knife.

Joyce

When I make it at home, my favorite is baby spinach with nuts, craisins, blue cheese, and raspberry vinaigrette dressing.  My favorite salad shop makes this delicious wrap with turkey, pear, brie and a bunch of other stuff that is to die for but I have not been able to re-create it as well at home.

My favorite salad:  Broccolli, Cauliflower, Cheddar and Bacon Salad..

1 head broccolli florets
1 head cauliflower florets
1 small red onion, diced
10 slices bacon
1 cup of cubed cheddar cheese

dressing: (I make this in a small mason jar & pour over just before serving)

1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp dry mustard powder
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp white vinegar

Toss & serve...
Great for pot lucks and always get asked to bring this salad...