Salads and Dressings: Culinary Terminology

Study Notes

Salads and Dressing

Salads are dishes made of salad plants or greens, alone or in combinations with other food, plus a dressing.

Classification of Salads

Salads can be classified into four categories according to their use:
As an appetizer: light and intended to whet the appetite
As an accessory to the main dish: complements the main dish or entrée
As a main dish: substantial and heavy
As a dessert: fruit salads or fruit gelatins

Types of Salads

According to ingredients:
- Fruit salads: contain one or more fruits plus dressing
- Vegetable salads: can be made with almost all vegetables
- High protein salads: combination of vegetables with protein foods like shrimps, fish, meat, cheese, or egg

Parts of a Plated Salad

Base: underliner like bed of lettuce leaves
Body: main part of the salad
Garnish: edible decorative item added to salad

Important Factors to Consider in Salad Preparation

Quality of ingredients: freshness of ingredients is crucial
Eye appeal: salad should be attractive, appetizing, and tasteful in appearance
Simplicity: basis of real beauty in salad, don't overdo it
Neatness: keep salad neatly placed inside the rim of plate
Contrast of harmony: contrast in color for garnishing can accentuate the appearance of the salad
Proper food combinations: choose combinations with care
Foods should be identifiable: taste of the food should be identifiable when tasting the salad
Keep foods properly chilled: not ice-cold, like fine wine
Serve hot foods hot; cold foods cold
Keep it clean and crispy: wash greens properly
Flavorful: tempting to the palate, particularly for appetizer salads
Food should be properly drained: water or excess juices will weaken dressings
Do not overcook food: destroys color, vitamins, and minerals

Guidelines for Arranging Salad

Keep the salad off the rim of plate
Strive for a good balance of colors
Apply height in arranging ingredients
Cut ingredients neatly
Make every ingredient identifiable
Keep it simple

Description

Test your knowledge of culinary terms related to salads and dressings, including their composition, classification, and uses. From appetizers to emulsions, this quiz covers the basics of salad preparation and presentation.