Chopped Salad Fad Or Fixture

One of the hottest trends in food right now is something so cool, the chopped salad.It seems it's everywhere, from the Target snack bar to grocery store produce aisles. This tasty concoction comes right in time for the hot weather.It's a fun snap to make and easy to eat, especially on a hot day.

The origins of this versatile dish comes from around Cherry Hill , New Jersey and across the river , Philadelphia. John Scardapane came up with the idea.It's mostly an East Coast favorite, being gobbled up by millennials from Washington D.C. to New York. Many eatries, including the drugstore, Duane Reade even serve it. Home chefs can make it at home,.It's a simple     recipe. Start with a base .You can use romaine hearts or any kind of cabbage but you can also start with kale romaine and even ice berg lettuce. If you're having a big crowd over , then get a whole head of lettuce or cabbage because  chopped pieces mean a lot of pieces.However if you're making the salad for just the family, then use Dole's Chopped Salad Blends.Some are just plain mixes without dressings and extrashe company also sells whole salad kits that comes with dressing packets, almonds and sesame seeds along onions and carrots.My favorite are just the bags of    chopped salad.This allows freedom to add whatever into the salad bowl.

What can be put into a chopped salad? That's up to you and your tastes. You can chop up some plum tomatoes for color as well as the various peppers for color and nutrition.Broccoli is a nice addition and it chops up  nicely as does celery which is the perfect veggie for this. It also lends crispness and freshness. For more crunch and color chop some radishes and toss them in too.Avocados  can also be added in , but don't chop,instead slice wafer thin. Protein is usually added  in the form of grilled chicken,steak or shrimp. Flaked tuna or salmon can also be used, especially if you're making a Nicoise inspired salad  Chopping these require a  triple bladed mezzaluna knife however a regular one can do the trick as well.Dressings , again , are up to the home chef. A simple red wine vinaigrette works with a steak or chicken salad however you can also try anything else. Ranch is excellent with a chicken or even turkey based salad. A spicy, smoke infused dressing would be perfect for a  steak one     .Top it off with  crunchy, whether Asian noodles or any kind of nuts.Double fried croutons also would be yummy gracing any chopped salad.

Chopped salad is a fad that is fast becoming a fixture and why not. It's a snap to make and fun to create. Make a delicious version for lunch or dinner  and enjoy the perfect blends of taste  and texture, coolness and crunch.