Friday 2 November 2018

Make Ahead Salad


That would be a Marinated Salad, a salad that you can make ahead of time and store in the fridge.

I actually stumbled upon this marinated salad by accident when I made too much Kale Salad. Being one not to waste and not being a fussy pot, I kept the extras to be eaten over a couple of days.

Usually it is not ideal for salads to be kept overnight (except for potato salads and such) because the leafy vegetables would wilt and lose their appeal.


I was quite pleased that the salad, in spite of sitting in the fridge for a day or two, actually tasted very good. The carrots, capsicum and onions were pickled by the dressing and the kale, though wilted, was still good to eat.

In fact it was better because the leaves became soft and easier to eat. In a way, the vegetables were marinated in the dressing which made them taste really good.


After this experience, I googled to search for marinated salads and I found so many. Obviously, this salad calls for vegetables that are robust such as carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and capsicum.

I also added canned button mushrooms when I made another batch for this week because pickled mushrooms are a great addition to salads.


What's important is to ensure that dressing is more intense, i.e. slightly more sour/salty than regular dressings. That's because upon marination, the vegetables will release liquids that will dilute the dressing.

This Marinated Salad is great for my weekday meals. At least for two days. I  also roasted half a chicken and harvested the meat to go with the salad. 

Marinated Salad
Recipe source : Phong Hong

Ingredients :
- 150g curly kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
- 2 small carrots, chopped
- 1 small head of cauliflower, cut into florets and blanched
- 1 small head of broccoli, cut into florets and blanched
- a handful of cherry tomatoes, left whole
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 red, green and yellow capsicum, thinly sliced
- 1 can button mushrooms, each sliced into 2

Dressing :
- 1 cup olive oil
- 3/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 small cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp freshly cracked pepper

Method :
1. To make dressing, combine all the ingredients using a whisk or blender (or put in a jar and shake away).
2. Put all the salad ingredients into a large mixing bowl and toss with the dressing.
3. Transfer salad into a container and store in the fridge to marinate. It's good for a day or two.

26 comments:

  1. Cool!
    Thanks for sharing the salad recipe, PH!

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  2. I never come across of marinated salad, that's very convenient to make a batch and keep it in the fridge!

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  3. Canned buttons? I'm sure you can get fresh ones very easily there. Here, next to impossible. Sobssss!!!!

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    Replies
    1. Lots of fresh ones here but kind of pricey.

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  4. Your salad is way, way, way more attractive than those sold by the healthy salad bars so you would never have to eat out for salad again. I can eat this salad every meal! So delicious!

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    Replies
    1. Oh thanks hee..hee.. Good to know you enjoy salads too.

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  5. Colourful salad. Very attractive and looks delicious!

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  6. Love the colourful dish, dear! xoxo

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  7. Wow.. so healthy looking salad for a very disciplined lady! Yes, roasted chicken and a bowl of salad per day will make a perfect meal!

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    Replies
    1. Trying to make up for eating too much chee yuk fan LOL!

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  8. I've never added canned button mushrooms to salads before. Can you use it just like that...direct from the can? Now that you mentioned pickled mushrooms, I now remember that there is a tang to it. No wonder my canned mushroom soup tasted a bit sour one day when I added additional canned button mushrooms and some of the liquid to it. >_< I've only added canned button mushrooms to savoury dishes so far and the slight sour taste wasn't as noticeable.

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    Replies
    1. Yup, use direct from the can. Hmm... I did not notice any sourish taste to it before. I reckon best not to use the liquid. I always discard and rinse the mushrooms first.

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  9. Such a colourful salad dish, love all the ingredients that went into it. Yums!

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  10. Wow! Fantastic, I must make my own salad like you.

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  11. Tengok sekali mcm sayur campur LL...
    Nak confirm betul betul salad kena rasa ni hihi...

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  12. Bowls of colourful salads prepared ahead for weekdays. Perfect to just having as salad day or pair with some roasted meat. Yum!

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