Salad Greens
Prep Like a Pro
Salad Service
Complex Salads
Plate Presentation
100

Romaine, Boston, and Bibb belong to this salad green group.

Lettuces

100

This should be added to leafy greens at the last possible moment before service.

Dressing

100

This service method involves preparing a salad beside the guests, often using a cart

Tableside

100

Chicken, tuna, or another protein combined with a thick dressing belongs to this salad category

Bound protein salad

100

Chicken salad rests on spring mix and is garnished with grape tomatoes. Identify the body, base, and garnish

Body: chicken salad. Base: spring mix. Garnish: grape tomatoes

200

Arugula and watercress belong to this flavor group.

Spicy greens

200

Put these cleaning steps in order: dry, separate, drain, wash

Separate, wash, drain, dry

200

In this service method, a large bowl of salad arrives at the table with dressing served separately

Family-style

200

Explain the difference between a mixed presentation and an arranged presentation

Mixed: ingredients are combined and dressed together. Arranged: components are dressed separately and placed in a planned pattern

200

Identify the front and back of the plate using clock positions

Front: 6 o’clock. Back: 12 o’clock

300

Radicchio, Belgian endive, and frisée belong to this flavor group.

Bitter greens

300

Explain why you should lift greens out of the wash water instead of draining the sink with the greens still inside.

Lifting the greens keeps them from contacting soil and debris at the bottom of the sink.

300

Identify the service method in which salads are plated and garnished ahead of time, with dressing on the side. Explain why the dressing is separate

Banquet-style. Separate dressing helps prevent the greens from wilting before service

300

What is mellowing time, and how does it improve many complex salads?

Time for solid ingredients to absorb some liquid and for flavors to blend

300

Explain the difference between the plate rim and plate well. Where should sauces and garnishes be placed?

Rim: raised outer edge that frames the plate. Well: main area inside the rim. Keep sauces and garnishes away from the rim

400

Define turgid and explain why it is desirable in salad greens.

The cells are plump and full of water, giving the greens firmness and freshness.

400

Identify two guidelines for cutting sturdy salad greens with a knife

Use a sharp blade to prevent bruising, and cut close to service because cut greens wilt faster than torn greens

400

Describe how an à la carte salad is prepared after an order arrives

Dress to order: toss a portion of greens with dressing in a work bowl, then mound it on a plate using tongs or a gloved hand

400

Why should you avoid adding oil to pasta cooking water and rinsing cooked pasta under running water when making pasta salad?

Oil makes the pasta surface slick, reducing dressing adherence. Rinsing removes surface starch that helps dressing cling

400

Identify each style: a salad on a layer of greens; several salads in separate piles; overlapping slices without height; a salad that holds its shape after a form is removed; food pieces built into a tower.

Bedded, mounded, flat, molded, stacked, in that order

500

Name all five flavor groups of salad greens identified in the slides.

Lettuces; spinach and beet greens; brassicas; spicy greens; bitter greens

500

Explain the difference between sprouts and microgreens

Sprouts include the seed shoot and cotyledons, or seed leaves. Microgreens include the seed shoot and true leaves

500

Give two advantages and two challenges of tableside salad service

Advantages: excitement, personalized preparation, or the ability to charge more. Challenges: additional skilled staff, specialized equipment, or dining-room space. Accept any two of each

500

Give one preparation decision for each problem: green vegetables discolor in acidic dressing; raw onions release moisture and develop off-flavors; certain fruits soften or brown

Keep green vegetables separate and dress near service; prepare and add raw onions at the last minute; add fruits prone to softening or browning just before serving

500

A salad is crowded, unstable, difficult to eat, and includes a garnish chosen only for its color. Explain four improvements the cook should make

Use a large enough plate, construct stable components, make the salad easy to eat, and select a garnish that complements its flavor, texture, and overall theme