Detailed Salad with Three Creamy Dressings

Name: Detailed Salad with Three Creamy Dressings
Yield: makes 8 servings
Ingredients: Dressing of your choice (recipes follow); 1 medium head iceberg lettuce, cut into bite-size pieces, well chilled; 2 medium tomatoes, cut into bite-size pieces; 1 medium or 1/2 large seedless cucumber, thinly sliced or cut into chunks; 6 radishes, sliced; 2 celery ribs, sliced; 1/4 cup red onion slivers; 1 cup yogurt; 1/4 cup tahini; Juice of 1/2 lemon; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; Kosher salt to taste; (makes about 1 1/4 cups); 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup picante sauce; Juice of 1/2 lime; Kosher salt to taste; (makes about 1 1/2 cups); 1/2 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup buttermilk; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 garlic clove, mashed into a paste; 2 tablespoons chopped mixed fresh herbs of your choice—chives, parsley, cilantro, thyme, oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; Kosher salt and black pepper to taste; (makes about 1 cup)

January 24, 2012

Since R. B. has expanded his blade assortment beyond an ax, a maul, and a cleaver to include a few kitchen knives, he’s more than happy to wield the Santoku for diced salad vegetables. This kitchen task is best suited for the detail oriented. Around here, that would be R. B., whose T-shirt collection is always impeccably folded, stacked, and arranged by hobby. Instead of limp baby weeds, we vote for a crisp head of chilled iceberg lettuce that cuts beautifully into bite-size pieces for serving with barbecue.

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