1. Start with a Great Base
The foundation of any great salad is where the flavor begins. Forget generic salad mixes and go for a leafy base that gives you some punch, like peppery arugula, a slightly bitter kale or soft butter lettuce.
2. Build Around a Main Ingredient
Every tasty salad needs a front and center star to focus on. The Italian way is to choose one high-quality, flavorful ingredient to be the center. This could be a cut open ball of creamy burrata, some salty slices of prosciutto or tender grilled chicken. This is the part that will make your salad feel like a hearty meal, not just a filler dish.
3. Add a Little Texture
The best bites are a mix of flavors and textures. Give your salad some life with things that add a satisfying crunch or a burst of flavor. Think about tossing in some juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp peperoncini, roasted pine nuts or salty olives. For an even more diverse bite, add an additional handful of toasted almonds or walnuts.
4. Incorporate Some Sweetness
A little touch of natural sweetness can completely transform the flavor palette of a salad. It balances the savory and adds a welcome complexity to every bite. This is where fresh, seasonal fruit comes in! Try some slices of ripe peach, some sweet cantaloupe or watermelon or a handful of fresh berries. It's the secret to making a restaurant grade salad.
5. The Extra Touch of Cheese
Cheese isn't optional here, it's the essential final touch. You don’t need much, just a small amount to add a rounded richness. Throw in some mozzarella balls, crumble some salty feta or shave a little Parmigiano-Reggiano right on top. It will deepen the overall combination of flavors.
6. Master the Art of a Simple Dressing
Stop using those heavy store-bought dressings. The ingredients of the salad should stand alone with a light dressing that is simply there to combine everything for a digestible bite. All you need is high-quality extra virgin olive oil, a splash of good red wine vinegar or balsamic and a pinch of salt. You can also add some freshly squeezed lemon or other citrus fruit for a little tang. Sprinkle some extra salt on top, and you have the perfect salad.
