As the weather gets warmer, I tend to yearn for lighter fare. Gone are the days of soups and stews, now is the time for salads (especially since I hope to lose some weight before summer comes around). In order to make a good one, I definitely recommend a few essentials.
The number one item on any salad-lovers list is a salad spinner. It dries your washed greens a lot more efficiently than just letting them sit in a colander, and it’ll go a long way to making your salad less watered down. Nobody wants that!
My favorite salad spinner is this one from OXO. It has a round knob that allows for a simple one-handed pump operation that makes the inner colander spin around, thus getting rid of all of that water. There’s a brake button to make the spinning stop, and the knob easily locks down for storage. Plus, the basket has a pretty roomy 4.95 quart capacity, which is large enough for at least a couple of servings.
Unless you plan on using your hands to mix up your salad – which is acceptable as long as they’re clean – you’ll want a good pair of tongs, like this model from OXO.
Another must-have in my salad arsenal is a mandoline. Yes, a knife is useful too – this one is a favorite – but nothing beats a mandoline for getting super thin slices of cucumber, radishes and onions. And with salads, texture is everything! I like the OXO Good Grips V-Blade Mandoline Slicer because it comes with julienne blades for carrots or french fries as well.
Of course, we can’t talk about salads without talking about bowls. First, you need a good mixing bowl for making dressings or tossing the salad. These ones from Cuisinart are my favorite, because they come with lids.
Next, you’ll want a good serving bowl if you plan on serving them to guests. There are so many good ones to choose from! But I do like the look of a large wooden bowl. This Gibson Home Sherwood Acacia set is great because it looks very stylish and it comes with two serving spoons as well.
Last but not least, I highly recommend getting some colorful dishware. Sometimes when your plate or bowl is beautiful, it helps make the food look appetizing too.
