What do you put in a salad?

The beauty of salad is its flexibility! You can put almost anything in it, depending on your taste and what's available. Here's a breakdown of common categories:

Greens:

* Leafy: Lettuce (romaine, iceberg, spinach, arugula, butter lettuce, etc.), kale, collard greens

* Other: Cabbage, endive, radicchio, watercress

Vegetables:

* Raw: Cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, bell peppers, celery, onions, radishes, broccoli florets, cauliflower florets, shredded cabbage

* Cooked: Roasted vegetables (squash, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, etc.), grilled vegetables, steamed vegetables

Fruits:

* Fresh: Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.), apples, pears, grapes, oranges, mandarins, pomegranate seeds

* Dried: Cranberries, raisins, apricots

Protein:

* Meat: Grilled chicken, steak, pork chops, bacon, ham, sausage

* Fish: Grilled salmon, tuna, shrimp, crab

* Eggs: Hard-boiled or deviled eggs

* Legumes: Chickpeas, lentils, black beans, kidney beans

Other Additions:

* Nuts and seeds: Almonds, walnuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds

* Cheese: Feta, cheddar, goat cheese, mozzarella, blue cheese

* Dressings: Vinaigrette, ranch, Caesar, thousand island, creamy Italian

* Croutons: Garlic, herb, or plain

Ideas for Theme Salads:

* Greek: Feta cheese, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, oregano

* Caesar: Romaine lettuce, croutons, Parmesan cheese, Caesar dressing

* Asian: Mixed greens, shredded carrots, edamame, mandarin oranges, sesame seeds, Asian dressing

* Taco: Mixed greens, shredded cheese, black beans, corn, tomatoes, tortilla strips, salsa

Tips for Building a Salad:

* Variety: Choose a mix of textures, colors, and flavors.

* Portion control: Don't overload on heavy ingredients like cheese and croutons.

* Freshness: Use the freshest ingredients possible.

* Seasoning: Don't forget to add salt and pepper to taste.

Let me know if you have a specific type of salad in mind, and I can give you some more specific ideas!