A Salad Supper

The “Assorted Dinner Plate Salad” is a delightful and versatile dish that combines a variety of fresh and preserved ingredients to create a satisfying and visually appealing meal. This salad is perfect for those times when you need to prepare a quick and delicious supper for guests or family. In this guide, we’ll provide you with the ingredients, instructions, and some tips to make this salad a culinary success.

Let’s proceed with the ingredients and instructions for making the Assorted Dinner Plate Salad.

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 large light green leaves from the inner part of a head of lettuce
• Radishes (cut into rose-like shapes)
• Olives
• Canned green beans
• Grated onion
• French dressing
• Slices of tomato
• Mayonnaise
• Canned white asparagus (preferred) stalks
• Chopped chives
• Quartered cucumber
• Salt
• Tiny German pearl onions
• Pickled walnuts
• Gherkins
• Nut or plain bread, and/or creamed cheese sandwiches

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare the Lettuce Leaves:

   Use large dinner plates for serving. On each plate, arrange six large, light green leaves from the inner part of a head of lettuce. Position five of the leaves with the stalk-end toward the center of the plate, creating an appealing layout. Place another small lettuce leaf in the center of the plate.

2. Assemble the Salad Components:

   Fill the center lettuce leaf with the rose-like shapes of radishes and olives, creating an attractive centerpiece. On the remaining five lettuce leaves, arrange the following ingredients:

   1. On one, put 2 tablespoons of canned green beans mixed with grated onion and French dressing before placing them on the leaf.
   2. On the next, add 3 or 4 slices of tomato and 2 teaspoons of mayonnaise.
   3. On the third leaf, arrange three stalks of canned white asparagus, dipped in French dressing, and sprinkled with chopped chives.
   4. On the fourth, place two half-length slices of a quartered cucumber, ready to be dipped in salt while eating.
   5. On the fifth, put 1 tablespoon of tiny German pearl onions, along with 2 pickled walnuts and 2 gherkins.
3. Serve and Enjoy:

   Serve the Assorted Dinner Plate Salad with nut or plain bread and/or creamed cheese sandwiches, or any combination that suits your preference.

4. Variation and Emergency Supper:

   This salad is highly versatile and can be adapted to the ingredients you have on hand. It was born out of necessity, making use of well-stocked preserved goods and a small kitchen garden. Feel free to modify it with ingredients you have readily available.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS:

Here are some tips to ensure your Assorted Dinner Plate Salad turns out beautifully:

• Fresh and Preserved Ingredients: This salad beautifully marries fresh and preserved components. It’s essential to choose fresh lettuce leaves and prepare the preserved items in advance, ensuring they are ready to assemble.
• Stalk-End Orientation: Arrange the large lettuce leaves with the stalk-end toward the center of the plate, creating an inviting presentation. This not only looks appealing but also makes it easier to fill the leaves with various toppings.
• Balanced Flavors: Pay attention to flavor balance. The salad features a variety of ingredients, each with its own taste and texture. Ensure the flavors harmonize, and don’t forget to season with salt, pepper, and your choice of dressing.

The Assorted Dinner Plate Salad is not only visually captivating but also a delightful feast of flavors and textures. By combining a variety of fresh and preserved ingredients, you can create a quick and satisfying supper for your guests or family.

This salad offers the perfect balance of colors, tastes, and nutritional components. The crisp lettuce leaves serve as a canvas for the artful arrangement of radishes, olives, green beans, tomatoes, asparagus, cucumber, onions, walnuts, and gherkins. Each element contributes to a harmonious and flavorful eating experience.

This versatile salad is ideal for accommodating variations based on your pantry and garden contents, making it an excellent go-to for emergency suppers or last-minute entertaining. Enjoy the delightful balance of fresh and preserved ingredients on your dinner plate, and savor the blend of flavors that come together in each mouthful.