tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post1174667735216468820..comments2024-02-02T07:13:37.313-06:00Comments on Like Merchant Ships: Serving saladUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-44626433249685102302008-02-01T22:14:00.000-06:002008-02-01T22:14:00.000-06:00To toss the salad with dressing or put it on the s...To toss the salad with dressing or put it on the side? Ah, that's a question I've considered many a time. I think it depends on what type of salad you are making. Some salads call for a particular dressing, such as a salad with mandarin oranges, sugared almonds and raspberry vinaigrette -- or a seven layer salad. And, if you're serving a casual Italian buffet with a tossed salad, it's sometimes easier to toss the salad with some kind of Italian dressing than to offer a variety.<BR/><BR/>But, usually, I put out several types of dressings and let people choose. Sad to say that I do often use bottles, because I have some inexpensive glass cruets that could be used, and I can always buy more -- They're really easy to find for a low price.<BR/><BR/>I think I'm going to start storing my dressings -- even store bought ones in inexpensive covered glass containers so that I can just pull those out at the last moment and set them on the table.<BR/><BR/>I keep tub butter and sometimes other spreads in inexpensive glass dishes in the fridge for that very reason. So, why not for salad dressings?<BR/><BR/>Dh prefers to put dressing on at the table, rather than tossing it even slightly beforehand, because he thinks the greens remain crisper.Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13429722263321739095noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-31599853570380288132007-12-05T17:14:00.000-06:002007-12-05T17:14:00.000-06:00I'm enjoying your blog!I've always thought it was ...I'm enjoying your blog!<BR/><BR/>I've always thought it was presumptuous to put the dressing on the salad FOR the guests. Better to offer them their own choice of dressings (homemade or otherwise) and also let them decide how much dressing (or if any) to put on their own salads. <BR/><BR/>Let me share a very easy and inexpensive homemade salad and dressing combo that we make in our home: <A HREF="http://casualkitchen.blogspot.com/2007/06/fattoush-middle-eastern-salad-recipe.html" REL="nofollow">Fattoush</A><BR/><BR/>Keep up the great work!<BR/><BR/>Daniel Koontz<BR/><A HREF="http://casualkitchen.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Casual Kitchen</A>Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02388302796031288076noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-3369756383942956032007-12-01T13:11:00.000-06:002007-12-01T13:11:00.000-06:00I have an actual salad dressing maker. Very prett...I have an actual salad dressing maker. Very pretty. Comes with a built in stir stick. Can just sit on the table and be used as is. Would never pre-mix the dressing on as people like different amounts of dressing, and I tend to like none. :)Annettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07731853888897956775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-9399679423052660662007-11-29T12:25:00.000-06:002007-11-29T12:25:00.000-06:00Oh, I have one that I'll share...It is to die for!...Oh, I have one that I'll share...It is to die for! And a pretty green color for this time of year! :) <BR/><BR/>Meredith, I have to say, I LOVE your site too...my husband teases and says that I've found someone as cheap as myself! I'd probably deny that though - I don't bat an eye at dropping money on my Bare Escentuals make up (dry, sensitive skin - it is the only thing that doesn't irritate me!), or salon hair products. It is nice to know though, in all other things, that there ARE other folks out there who strive to be frugal. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-24209296235640783672007-11-29T11:39:00.000-06:002007-11-29T11:39:00.000-06:00Andrea, there's certainly no shame in that!Since I...Andrea, there's certainly no shame in that!<BR/><BR/>Since I do make a lot of our dressings from scratch, what to put it in and how to serve it has been a problem for me.<BR/><BR/>I knew other ladies would have some ideas, but I NEVER in a million years would have predicted this many comments about salad dressing!!!!!<BR/><BR/>I'll share my basic recipe in another post and see if anyone else would like to share theirs in the comments, too.Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08455517419708043340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-69326438874007062582007-11-29T09:06:00.000-06:002007-11-29T09:06:00.000-06:00I find it really funny that some ladies are admitt...I find it really funny that some ladies are admitting feeling 'shameful' for putting dressing bottles on the table...I never really considered that there could be another way. ;) Dressings went in fancy containers at weddings, and other get together of that nature...<BR/><BR/>But then again, growing up, we ate a lot on paper plates - didn't bug me in the least, and saved my mom, who was working full time, going to school full time, and doing a great job of raising two kids with my dad's help, a lot of time. <BR/><BR/>I only serve salad dressing in a fancy container if I actually make it; DH is picky about dressing, and if I DO make dressing, it is just for me, so what is the point? <BR/><BR/>And please post your dressing recipe! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-72716463120724323572007-11-29T05:08:00.000-06:002007-11-29T05:08:00.000-06:00I really love making my own vinegarette....my husb...I really love making my own vinegarette....my husband for 23 years of his life hated salad until he ate it with my dressing after we were married! But I am with you on leftovers......so I make a nice batch of dressing, separate out enough of the salad that I think we will eat that night, mix in enough dressing to lightly coat it, and then put up the extra salad. Then the remaining dressing goes into either a little jam dish I have that has a silver spoon and a lid, or it goes into a cruet to pour, in case anyone wants any extra!Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12746233349847124744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-81772323677376612502007-11-28T21:46:00.000-06:002007-11-28T21:46:00.000-06:00I once had the luxury of eating oil & vinegar dres...I once had the luxury of eating oil & vinegar dressing at a friend's house. She quickly splashed a little sweet vinegar and a little olive oil on each plate - and the bottles looked nice! The vinegar being sweet really made it a treat! YUM! Since then, I've often served with a bottle of each on the table, but some guests are wary--so I keep out bottles too. I need to see this Olive Garden bottle. It sounds pretty. AngelaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-41477834525039697292007-11-28T18:24:00.000-06:002007-11-28T18:24:00.000-06:00I really have only one homemade dressing that I us...I really have only one homemade dressing that I use for a specific salad. When serving that, I put the dressing on the salad and serve it that way. It's rare to have leftovers of it, so that's not a concern. <BR/><BR/>The rest of the dressing is kept in a shaker container. I think it's actually intended for alcoholic drinks, but I use it for dressing. I wouldn't have a problem putting it on the table, though. Sometimes function trumps fashion.Anne Marie@Married to the Empirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16600919522369171555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-37126492834503032942007-11-28T17:25:00.000-06:002007-11-28T17:25:00.000-06:00I usually like to toss the salad before and have i...I usually like to toss the salad before and have it all ready with a pair of tongs to serve it up...<BR/><BR/>However, I've made the mistake of doing that *too early* and it wilts so quickly!! I'm still getting that timing thing down...<BR/><BR/>:-) <BR/><BR/>Lovely salad servers! I have blue in my kitchen - I love dishes with blue accents!<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>Katie~katie~https://www.blogger.com/profile/03098817313603747451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-34154108439005808552007-11-28T16:57:00.000-06:002007-11-28T16:57:00.000-06:00Blue Willow Salad mixers go pretty high on ebay (a...Blue Willow Salad mixers go pretty high on ebay (as someone who has bid on a pair)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-74054476486784341852007-11-28T16:12:00.000-06:002007-11-28T16:12:00.000-06:00I have a glass salad dressing cruet with a plastic...I have a glass salad dressing cruet with a plastic top that I picked up at a yard sale for a dime. It's not the most beautiful thing when you set it on the table, but it holds the dressing and when you close the pastic cap it allows you to shake it up if needed without making a mess.Ann'Rehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09460249637661002249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-66838273457098359152007-11-28T14:51:00.000-06:002007-11-28T14:51:00.000-06:00We use the Good Seasons dressing bottles to store ...We use the Good Seasons dressing bottles to store and servoe our dressings. I have found that if you very slowly wisk the oil into the other ingredients that it does not separate, it emulsifies much better. You must wisk vigorously though and add the oil s-l-o-w-l-y.Kathleen Gracehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11551093555973581448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-56920477694174503832007-11-28T14:35:00.000-06:002007-11-28T14:35:00.000-06:00On fast nights we have:Oil/Vinegar cruet set for h...On fast nights we have:<BR/><BR/>Oil/Vinegar cruet set for hubs and me.<BR/><BR/>Ranch, either in the bottle (no shame) or if I have homemade on hand, loaded into an oversized creamer, for kids. They pour, don't spoon. We mastered the art of dripless pouring but granted, they are tweens/teens : )<BR/><BR/>When I dress the salad before serving, I use Leanne Ely's recipe (sp?) of Flylady fame: called Leanne's Simple Dressing. 1 part rice vinegar, 2 parts oil of choice (or is it 2 parts vinegar, 1 part oil?) and 1 crushed garlic clove. Sea Salt to taste.<BR/><BR/>To save cruddy leftovers, I only tear off as much lettuce as each person will eat (knowing the family's habits helps). I put dressing in bottom of serving bowl before adding lettuce and veg. lightly toss, scooping dressing up from bottom, when ready to serve. <BR/><BR/>You can also lay a couple of Ritz-type crackers on top of a dressed salad before storing (covered) overnight in the fridge. It will keep the degrading down, enough that it is still appetizing for lunch next day.<BR/><BR/>deb meyersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-274249622901874932007-11-28T14:22:00.000-06:002007-11-28T14:22:00.000-06:00Oh, I covet your servers! :)I save jelly jars and ...Oh, I covet your servers! :)<BR/><BR/>I save jelly jars and use mason jars too. I'll put store-bought in the bottle on the table... but, hey, now that I think of it, I could put those in jars too if I want to pretty things up. <BR/><BR/>I usually only dress the salad if it's a particular recipe I'm following.Creative Life Studiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14306288585957249405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-9732530095033258062007-11-28T13:32:00.000-06:002007-11-28T13:32:00.000-06:00I also wanted to salivate over the Blue Willow ser...I also wanted to salivate over the Blue Willow servers. Are the handles ceramic? If so, I have that same set (bought them on eBay years ago) and love them. <BR/><BR/>Really enjoy your blog! <BR/>Toni (Toni_KY on PH)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-37629174649388873752007-11-28T12:37:00.000-06:002007-11-28T12:37:00.000-06:00I think your idea is nice. When I make my own dre...I think your idea is nice. When I make my own dressing I do toss it on just before serving. I only do this when we have company - and yes, it eliminates leftovers but it's not something I do too often.Edihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01881967873653190545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-73662022392260988502007-11-28T12:35:00.000-06:002007-11-28T12:35:00.000-06:00I'm a bottles gal ... BUT, I do want to start maki...I'm a bottles gal ... BUT, I do want to start making our own dressing. It's a lot better, I think.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Don'tcha just LOVE Thrift Smart? That's the thrift store here in Nashville we go to too. We're moving to Chattanooga this Friday, but I may still come back once a month or so when they have 50% off the whole store sales lol. My sister will still live here, so visiting her will be a good excuse lolAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-8488422692892865582007-11-28T11:40:00.000-06:002007-11-28T11:40:00.000-06:00Want something more shocking than putting the bott...Want something more shocking than putting the bottle on the table? We don't have a table. I mix up our ranch or italian in a tupperware container in the kitchen, and each person puts it on themselves. Then we take our plates to the bar to eat.<BR/><BR/>I have owned one of the pretty glass dressing holders that you get when you buy the name brand mix. Those work really well, and you could probably find one at a thrift store or yardsale.TJhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11002884307603736439noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-8389872978538991912007-11-28T11:27:00.000-06:002007-11-28T11:27:00.000-06:00I couldn't resist including a link to a pretty lad...I couldn't resist including a link to a pretty ladle spoon (middle spoon in photo). Of course, this one's expensive but you get the idea. <BR/><BR/>http://www.trocadero.com/20thcvintage/items/687249/en1store.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-48720191260436632882007-11-28T11:16:00.000-06:002007-11-28T11:16:00.000-06:00I hope I can help! I was bothered by this little d...I hope I can help! I was bothered by this little dilemma for ages (the fork or mini whisk in the server).<BR/><BR/>We use. . . drumroll. . . a small vintage ladle spoon. Simply give your dressing a little "churn" with the ladle, and then use it to pour a serving over your salad. It's oh so civilized, elegant, and efficient. The kids love to use it, too.<BR/><BR/>A vintage ladle will have a gentle shape that does not require an awkward turn of the wrist to use. <BR/><BR/>Google "ladle spoon" or "cream spoon" for ideas.<BR/><BR/>By the way, for family, I offer one vinaigrette that we all like. With guests, I add another choice--ranch or French--in a little pitcher. <BR/><BR/>I hope this helps.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-58944310105729285682007-11-28T10:45:00.000-06:002007-11-28T10:45:00.000-06:00I never pre-dress salad greens, preferring to allo...I never pre-dress salad greens, preferring to allow each person a choice of 3 or 4 different kinds. When I make it (yes, we have storebought, bottled stuff too!), I like to serve it in a small pitcher on a plate. I save interesting bottles as well, & use those sometimes. <BR/><BR/>I have to agree with 3bean about using a blender to make dressings...they just seem to stay mixed a lot better!<BR/><BR/>BrendaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-83073083303975678052007-11-28T10:33:00.000-06:002007-11-28T10:33:00.000-06:00I usually dress and plate the salad in the kitchen...I usually dress and plate the salad in the kitchen. Yes, you're correct that vinaigrette prevents leftovers, so I plan portions carefully.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-27424593127064430252007-11-28T10:10:00.000-06:002007-11-28T10:10:00.000-06:00It's not fancy, but Pampered Chef has a salad dres...It's not fancy, but Pampered Chef has a salad dressing mixer thing (at least they used to) that has a plunger type mixer in it. You mix everything right in it and then you can store it in the fridge and just bring it out on the table. I don't make our dressing these days, but if I did, I'd use this. :)~Babychaser~https://www.blogger.com/profile/12789794457673145109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12364613.post-12539014183590269802007-11-28T10:07:00.000-06:002007-11-28T10:07:00.000-06:00I like to serve a homemade vinaigrette dressing in...I like to serve a homemade vinaigrette dressing in a small pitcher with a mini whisk right in the pitcher. That way if it seperates, your guests can just give it a stir before they pour it. I like to place the pitcher on a small plate to catch the drips.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com