Put Spring into your Salad Prep!

Chef Daniel Orr loves the poetry of a salad. Whether it is a simple tangle of freshly harvested greens or a salad that takes a little more technique. Salads, especially in the Spring are a gateway to the heart.

Start with the Salad

They are easy to prepare in advance and serve. Slaw and potato salad are staples in most kitchens, but adding unusual spices or fresh herbs may make them more fascinating. Do not stick to the classics. Try substituting alternative roots for potatoes in your starchy salads, such as celery root, several types of yams, Caribbean veggies, or even green bananas or unique pasta shapes. You can make an interesting salad side out of almost any vegetable. You will find something to do with the zucchini, cucumbers, or tomatoes your garden has so kindly given you if you browse the internet.

Simplicity Works

As with most things in life, the simplest versions of salads are frequently the finest. You want to be as near to the source of your greens as possible. Transportation costs them a lot of money. Naturally, picking them from your own potage garden, bringing them inside, washing them, and tossing them with a little sea salt, citrus juice, and good olive oil is the ideal way to prepare them. 

The Power of Foraging

Look for wild greens like shepherd’s purse, chickweed, dandelions, garlic mustard, or dock and combine them with the garden's first mâché, chervil, baby greens, and tiny radishes. After consuming the unimpressive plates of leaves that are frequently delivered in, they give spring salads a pleasant bitter edge. You can counteract this sharpness by adding a fruit component to your salad, roasted hazelnuts, or walnuts, or blue or goat cheese if your palette often avoids aggressive greens.

Carrot Salad with Orange Flower Water and Citrus

10 carrots, julienne

2T fresh ginger, minced

1tsp turmeric

2tsp New Regime Spice Blend

2 garlic cloves, minced

1tsp orange flower water or to taste

1 orange juice and half zested.

1/4c. olive oil

¼ c. champagne vinegar

Salt, pepper, and your favorite hot sauce to taste

Toss all ingredients together and season to taste. Allow you to sit at least 10-15 minutes before serving. Adjust the seasoning before taking it to the table.

Looking for the perfect spot to host your next unforgettable dining experience in Bloomington? Look no further than FARM Restaurant! Reserve your table today by visiting our website, calling us directly at (812) 323-0002, or booking through your OpenTable App.