Everything I'm adding to my salads this summer
A very hot topic 💋
You guys had a lot to say about this on Instagram. This is currently the most popular topic of discussion in my brain and on social media next to the new Billie Eilish album “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT”. I got over 50 responses, and some that were really shocking. But first let’s dive into my go-tos. For optimal reading experience, I encourage you to listen to “Lunch”…it’s what Billie and I would want.
Sauerkraut and pickled veg!!!!
I think I’m most obsessed with the brininess of it all — growing up my diet was synonymous with pickles (pickle and pickle flavored everything). I specifically love the purple beet kraut from Pickled Planet and Hamptons Brine Raw Probiotic Saukerkraut fermented with carrots!! My friend Chloe says I must try the Hawthorne foods dill kraut so that will be on my list next.
Unfortunately a new obsession for me, and what the hell?!? Why did no one tell me how good sauerkraut was. Why was I so scared of it for so long? Probably a mix of bad associations conditioned from childhood deli coleslaw and the whole jewish pickled herring of it all. It was all a bit too close for comfort. Sauerkraut is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Its probiotics also help your body absorb these nutrients more easily, which is what makes sauerkraut more nutritious than raw cabbage or coleslaw.
One of my favorite vegetables to pickle is Persian cucumbers. 3 parts seasoned rice vinegar, 1 part reg. vin. topped with sesame seeds. Also makes for a good quick snack.
Next time I go on a date I’m adding this to the lineup of vetting questions. It goes as follows
What is your attachment style?
How long did your mom breastfeed you?
Did your parents kiss you on the lips? If yes, until what age? (if they can remember they were probably too old)
Do you like eating Sauerkraut and listening to Billie Eilish? Bonus points if at the same time.
Crispy bits!! 🥖
“To be creative you want to feel like you’re getting away with something” Jerry Seinfeld recently said in an interview. That’s how I feel when I put extra toasty cheez its in my salad. Everything from beans, pepitas and slivered almonds to extra toasty cheez its and Lays kettle cooked jalapeño chips. I want it allllllll in my salad. Gone are the days of limp salads sad soggy salads (Thank you Cat Sarsfield for sending me this)
You can catch me adding hemp seeds, pepitas (pumpkin) and flax seeds to my salads this summer…same cocktail of seeds in my smoothies. It’s a great extra source of protein and nutrients. Hemp seeds often get forgotten about, but they are are rich in protein, fiber, and healthful fatty acids, including omega-3s and omega-6s. I love toasting up a combination of pepitas and sliced almonds, even if it’s just warming them for a few minutes I find them more flavorful with all of the natural oils releasing.
Big croutons are equally as out the door as gasoline fueled cars. Blitzing up toasty bread into bite sized little flavor bombs are the Telsa of electric cars…okay maybe that statement doesn’t hold the same validity as it used to. These breadcrumbs are a nice trustworthy electric car that accelerates when you want it to. I like roasting rosemary or fennel sourdough for a little extra flavor.
All of this crunchy talk brings me to my next and maybe most crucial??
The base 🥬
I’ll be grabbing all of the different varietals of kale (esp baby kale), shaved Brussel sprouts, or crunchy little romaines which I have neglected for the last 2 years but I am in my natural progression + cycle of leaning away from little gems now (too much facetime) so romaine is back.
What happened to good ole spinach? I have to admit I haven’t flirted with the idea of grabbing any in a while becasue why would I…but at the Santa Monica Farmers Market the Heirloom Bloomsdale spinach is not a sight for sore eyes and you will go home swooning with a bag full. It’s hard to resist fairy looking food 🧚♂️ Who said salads can’t be sexy and fun?
Protein 🥩
Please enjoy this voice memo from my rotisserie chicken connoisseur and friend, Talia. This was sent right after we ran into each other getting our respective rotiss. chicks. It’s one of those I need to date every single rotiss. chick in the city to know which one is my favorite type of foods. I recommend shredding it as soon as you get it and keeping it in a container so you have it ready at all times.
Can anyone guess where this one was from?
“you can’t tell me a rotisserie chicken isn’t an accessory” 🐔👛
anyways I’m also really craving steak lately and really leaning into that. Hello little miss Sweetgreen caesar steak bowl.
Can anyone tell me how to recreate the Erewhon crispy tofu sticks?!?!
I’m really into these crispy salmon bites on butter lettuce cups…the rice is purple because we used my leftover cinnamon/clove/dill beet pickling juice and it was INCREDIBLE.
One of those beautiful accidents that you’re afraid to recreate because it was so whimsical and spontaneously divoone that you’re afraid it wont be the same if you were to recreate it.
Preserved citrus
If I’m not eating a fruit salad…I want preserved lemons, preserved kumquats, I want all of the preserved fruit in my salads this summer. It’s so simple to make too, just a ton of salt (I use this diamond salt) and juice of the citrus you’re using. So good just to have in the kitchen — great for cocktails and mocktails too 🌞
Here’s what you guys said you couldn’t live without in your salads:
Crispy beans
Mint
Fennel
Pepperoncini peppers
crispy rice
kismet potatoes
Meat
Any kind of nut
Kalamata olives
dill kraut
Trader Joe’s vegan feta
shaved parm
pickled garlic
castrelvetrano olives
farro hero seeds
homage herbed croutons
feta
toasted pecans
cranberries
fish sauce and lime
roasted hazelnuts
lemon
green onion
cilantro
pickled red onion
crunchy chili oil
pistachio dukkah
chopped ginger
pistachios
Briannas sweet onion croutons
toasted chickpeas
siesta tuna
capers always
slivered almonds
pomegranate seeds
Alright happy salading this summer 🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️🤸♀️ and don’t forget…
big love,
Annie
Things that I’ll be talking to my therapist about -> “Did your parents kiss you on the lips? If yes, until what age? (if they can remember they were probably too old)”
🥗 ugh I want a salad now!!!