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An underwhelminglunchthat actually makes youwantto get back to work rather than spending time eating it.
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Prep your greens appropriately.
But your work isnt finished after the greens are washed: Drying them completely is just as essential.
Too short on space for anotherkitchen gadget?
Simply space your greens evenly on a clean dish rag or paper towel and pat them dry instead.
Use a combo as your base.
To change up the texture and flavor, use more than one kind of greens.
Cant find a mix with what you want?
Switch up your salads by the season.
Out-of-season produce can be bland, and can seriously mess with the way a fresh salad tastes.
Skip the greens altogether.
She suggests everything from fennel to artichokes, or basically whatever you prefer.
Give tough greens like kale a little TLC.
Kale is notoriously coarse when raw, which is why you need tomassageit before eating.
Simply pop the leaves into a food processor for a minute to blitz and tenderize, says Dahl.
Add fruitand experiment beyond blueberries.
Pairing fruit with veggies is a great way to make a savory dish that much better.
If you dont have any fresh stuff, you might go the dried route.
Seasoning your salad is a must.
Everythingneeds to be seasoned to reach its full flavor potentialincluding salads.
Think: olives, capers,tinned fish, Parmesan cheese, and pickles, she says.
From there, try adding a little spice.
Aromatics add a whole lot, too.
This makes them even more flavorful and adds depth to the normally raw goodness of a salad.
Pair your dressings with your mix-ins.
The makeup you choose will also help you determine when exactly to dress your salad.
That actually helps tenderize them, so theyre the perfect texture by the time youre ready to dig in.
Ive even used jam and fruit syrup in my dressings, she adds.
Layer instead of tossing.
The tossing technique isnt best for every version.
This can be avoided by layering the ingredients instead, says Dahl.
That way, you get goodies in every bite, she says.
Cast a wide net for protein.
Or elevate your egg while youre at it.
She loves a soft-boiled egg with a mustardy green like tatsoi and a soy sauce vinaigrette.
Get multiple sources of crunch.
Raw cucumber, radishes, peppers all add a nice bite to a meal al crudo.
As for the topping?
And Shariat loves adding toasted breadcrumbs for a micro-crunch.
