Shakespeare coined the term "salad days" in his play Antony and Cleopatra, circa 1606. At the end of Act One, when Cleopatra speaks regretfully of her youthful flirtation with Julius Caesar, she describes that time as "My salad days, when I was green in judgment, cold in blood." The word "green" describes her inexperience and immaturity, and salad by association refers to leafy green plants that are edible when young and tender. It makes a juicy metaphor that is still a favourite of popular culture, although the modern expression usually means a person's heyday - when they're at their physical or mental peak.
With local greens at their peak this month, it's important to mix things up in the salad bowl so they don't become old in spite of their delicious freshness.
Variety is the spice of life, and greens are so versatile they can be enjoyed all throughout August without repeating the same flavour. Here is one of my favourite salad recipes to try: a blend of baby greens and beans dressed with the spicy tang of India.
Tandoori Greens and Beans
Tandoori Dressing
(makes 1 1/2 cups)
3/4 cup plain yogurt
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tsp tandoori spice
1 tsp lemon juice
1 clove roasted garlic
Blend yogurt, mayonnaise, tandoori spice, lemon juice and garlic together in a bowl until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Salad
1 (15 oz) can green beans
1 (15 oz) can wax beans
1 (15 oz) can lima beans
1 (15 oz) can kidney beans
1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup vinegar
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp dry mustard
1-2 tsp celery seed
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
Salad greens (mesclun mix, baby spinach, turnip tops or regular lettuce)
Drain and rinse all the beans and combine in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together vegetable oil, vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, dry mustard, and celery seed. Blend together with bean mix and let stand for at least an hour (preferably overnight). Before serving, add chopped onion and green pepper; season to taste. Stir in 1 cup of tandoori dressing, then toss bean mix in a large salad bowl with greens.
Click the following links for more great summer salad recipes.
Warm Spinach Salad
Three Bean Salad
Macaroni Salad
Copper Penny Salad
Curried Chicken Salad
Chinese Pork Salad
Cool Cucumber Salad
Crunchy Tossed Salad
