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Interior and Cover Designer: Eric Pratt
Art Producer: Michael Hardgrove
Editor: Myryah Irby
Production Editor: Rachel Taenzler
Photography 2020 Iain Bagwell. Food styling by Loren Wood.
courtesy of Bethany Fritz, Maypole Studios Photography.
ISBN: Print 978-1-64739-277-2 | eBook 978-1-64739-278-9
R0
For Elijah, Sofia, and Samantha: You are my inspiration to become the best woman that God made me to be.
To my parents and siblings: Thank you for always making sure that I am following the path God has set in front of me. I couldnt be the woman and mother I am without your never-ending support.
Contents
Salads have come a long way from the iceberg lettuce side salad topped with a couple slices of cucumber and tomato. Today, with the assortment of greens, inspiration from international cuisines, and wide variety of commonly available herbs and spices, salads have emerged as an exciting and delicious part of the American dining table.
Behind the Salad Evolution
Whats the big deal with salads? Why are there more and more fast casual restaurant concepts built around salads? Over the decades, people have started to seek out healthier fast food, giving way to the popularity of the fast casual restaurant, which serves healthier options. Many people are looking for quick meals that are healthy and fresh instead of fast food meals, which are mostly unhealthy, fatty, and full of bad carbs.
On average, the cost of a salad from fast casual chains like sweetgreen, Just Salad, fresh&co, and Chopt is around $13, which is more than the average price of a burger value meal. In 1970, Americans spent just 26 percent of their food budget on eating out, but by 2010, that number had risen to 41 percent. People are cooking at home less often, are spending more money at restaurants, and are willing to pay a premium for healthier fast food choices like salads.
Making Salads Simple
Theres no need to shell out big bucks on premade salads or those from fast casual restaurants. In this cookbook, we will explore all the fun, creative, andperhaps most importantquick ways to create salads at home. Its never been easier to make a great salad with the grand variety of ingredients available in todays grocery stores, and by relying on an assortment of ready-made, canned, and frozen staples, you can create delicious salad masterpieces in just minutes.
Making use of the many types of premade salad mixes, prechopped vegetables, and slaw mixes available at most grocery stores, we can quickly build the base for many of the salad recipes in this cookbook. These packaged greens and veggies are already washed and ready to go, making it even easier to get a meal on the table quickly!
The recipes in this cookbook stay true to the Momma Cuisine way of cooking great everyday meals made with simple ingredients and basic cooking techniques. This cookbook offers an array of recipes from leafy salads to those with seafood or meat, to slaws, grain- and bean-based salads, pasta and bread salads, and tofu and tempeh salads. We will dive into different ingredient combinations and get creative while keeping it super simple with the help of some pantry staples.
Salads have long been the afterthought of a meal. Too often, we end up eating uninspiring salads, just a few sad vegetables drenched in dressing.
You can create salads with loads of pizzazz and variety. Were going to set up your salad kitchen to include all the basic tools, equipment, ingredients, and staples to make sure youre creating great everyday salads all year round.
Kitchen Tools and Equipment
Getting in the kitchen with the proper equipment will help you create meals effortlessly and confidently. The equipment needed for these recipes is minimal, and there are many affordable options on the market no matter your budget. These basic tools are used often in the kitchen and are well worth the investment.
Whisk: This is your go-to tool to create salad dressings like a pro. Choose a sturdy whisk that can withstand whisking creamy dressings that carry weight, like mayonnaise. |
Chefs knife: This is the everyday knife used to chop, slice, mince, and julienne vegetables and slice meats. A sharp knife will smoothly and effortlessly slice through vegetables without much pressure; a dull knife can slip and cut you. Remember to always sharpen your knives. |