Day #39, Tossed Salad

My options for today were either beef tenderloin or the next salad option on the list, the tossed salad. The tossed salad is served as a regular portion size, or as a small, which is great for a meal or before dinner salad. I decided on the tossed because I love salad, and it was 85+ degrees outside today..which I see as perfect salad weather.

Our tossed salad consists of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced carrots, cucumbers, red onions, and croutons. It's served with a dressing of your choice and a bread end and butter. I've order this salad so many times, and usually with little additions or subtractions from the original. I've never had it with the croutons or red onions, but have a different times added hummus, peas, mushrooms, chicken, smoked turkey, avocado, cashews...and the list goes on.

Our croutons have grown on me since I have started working here. They are made in house from a variety of Zingerman's breads. They are baked in Olive Oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. It's pretty time consuming to make home made croutons, which is why so many restaurants buy them these days from their suppliers. I think you can really taste the difference when they are made fresh.

I like this salad, and I love that there are a variety of options that you can add to the salad to make it more interesting. My favorite is with avocado and chicken breast. I think avocado adds a lot to the salad, and especially if you are having it as your main entree-the chicken adds a lot of substance. Salmon is also another common addition to this salad.

I really like this salad, it's great on it's own, but you can also build it to be exactly what you like, which many people do.

The part I love the most about this salad, especially when someone orders a small, is the moment they see it and ask "that's a small? What's the large look like?" It's really a huge salad for anyone to eat all at once, even if you really love salad. Usually, there's always enough left for another meal, or to split with a friend. Give it a try, you will see what I mean!