The Simplicity of Salads
One of my favorite meals, when prepared correctly, is a salad. Yes, read that again. Salad is one of my favorite meals. Notice I didn’t write appetizer or lunch. No. I make salads into meals. In my single woman world of eating, salads continue to be an accessible DINNER that can be fully loaded with flavor and creativity, and I am truly sorry if you don’t see them that way. Please keep in mind that I’m not talking romaine or iceberg lettuce, though they do have their place in my heart and stomach, but I’m talking about various types of kale, arugula, chard, escarole - all of the different and unique greens you can imagine - tossed into a salad.
Why? Well, it’s another way I can sing the praise of vegetables. To write a love song to greens that might have been withered and give them a new lease on life. Sadly, when most people think salad - the first image that comes to mind is wilted greens, tomatoes, sliced carrots and dried cucumbers - a la the American garden salad. With bottled dressing. Kill me and my palate now. Garden salads could make anyone run for the hills and fear greens for life. And, truth be told, I don’t even really love a Caesar Salad, it’s all dressing. I’m in a salad for it’s volume, accoutrements and HOMEMADE DRESSING - that is not creamy.
When I put together a salad, I am often foraging in my refrigerator for fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, cheese, a protein, beans - you name it. It’s all fair game in love and salad.
Tonights single woman salad dinner was made of tuscan kale and arugula for its base. Not raw tuscan kale because that can be hard on my stomach, but a tuscan kale lightly steamed in a tiny bit of olive oil and water until it became ever so soft, fluffy and easily tossable. In the bowl of tuscan kale and arugula I added a diced apple, cried cranberries, olives, goat cheese and grilled chicken. Tossed simply with balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper - there was no need for a fancy dressing because the salad flavor would be carried by the weight of its texture and ingredients.
As I ate dinner for one at my table, I was reminded that cooking doesn’t have to look like pasta, meat, potatoes or something from the slow cooker - it can look like beautifully tossed greens and anything fresh you can get your hands on in your home. This salad was elevated with the cooked kale, adding softness and heft to each bite. A hungry, happy, single woman’s salad indeed.
You can feel free to put a soft egg on top, add sunflower or pumpkin seeds too. Create your own salad adventure.