Dynamic Salads

Salads are a most recommended of foods. They serve as a starter, an ice-breaker, a diet meal, a stress buster and numerous other sensible reasons for having them as part of the menu

Benefits of having salads 

• One of the major benefits of eating salads is getting the necessary fibers that are required for the body. These are essential for the digestive system and helps in proper metabolic functioning of the body. The high fiber content of salads is useful for preventing constipation and irregular bowel syndrome. It also maintains a healthy digestive tract.
• Having salads along with meals are also essential because it is a healthy way of filling you up. It has the ability to cut down on the cholesterol levels and is a very good way to reduce weight. Since, salads can keep you full for a long time; it curbs your desire to eat.
• Since, many of us miss out on eating fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, it is essential to add salads to our diet. Fruits and vegetables contain the required antioxidants that are extremely beneficial for the health. These are necessary to give immunity to the body and prevent it from deadly diseases like cancer.
• In summer season when there is a lot of sweat and perspiration, it is recommended to eat a lot of salads to replenish the lost energy and build up deficiency for prevention against viruses and bacteria. It also lends energy and maintains the pH balance of the body.

Apart from acting as roughage, salads also contain essential elements such as calcium and minerals. It is a rich source of calcium and therefore, good for maintaining the health of bones and teeth.
Green vegetables and fruits are also beneficial for the circulatory system. They are also good for maintaining healthy skin, hair and nails.

Preparation Control Points

The following points make salads vulnerable at the preparation stage

Many salads do not go through a cooking process and even if they do they are served cold –
a. Are the ingredients of the right quality (Meet the purchase and quality specification)
b. Have they been stored at ambient temperatures (Chiller at 0-5°C)
c. Have they been sanitized (In 50 PPM ‘Sumatab’ solution for 10 minutes)
d. Have they been cooked well (If using cooked ingredients)
e. Have they been cooled in the correct manner after cooking(Cooking temperature to Room temperature in 2 Hrs & Room temperature to Chill in 2 Hrs)

Salads usually have a mixture of raw ingredients in their body, dressing or garnish
a. Are you mixing a raw ingredient to a cooked ingredient (Caesar Salad)
b. Do you use branded ingredients for your dressings (Sauces/Chat masala)
c. Do you prepare in-house mayonnaise or use raw eggs in your dressings
d. Have you sanitized the ingredients intended for garnish (tomato/coriander leaves)

Salads are store-able for 4 hours under refrigeration but the recommended display time is only two hours – Prepare your salads just before service time. This ensures
a. Freshness
b. Presentation
c. Temperature control

Service Control Points

As indicated earlier salads are sensitive and a vulnerable menu item. As with every food item they are required to be kept out of the danger zone but this presents a few challenges
1. Unlike a gravy item, most salads do not have a medium to conduct temperature
2. Once a salad is set for service they are hardly stirred again preventing transfer of temperature
The best way to serve a salad is from within a chilled display cabinet

However if that option is not available here are some more,
1. On a bed of ice – This method has a harsh effect on the salad usually freezing the bottom parts of the salad while ambient temperatures are maintained at the top
2. In an Ice bath – This is the most common method followed. Ice is at zero degrees centigrade and can maintain something in direct contact with it at that temperature, but Ice does not cool the air. The ice has to be supported with water to create an ice bath and the water has to come in direct contact with the salad container to get the desired result
3. Pre-plated salads – This allows for salad plates or cups to be kept in a chiller till the time of actual consumption

Summary

1. All said and done it is equally important to regulate the temperature when serving salads as with other foods. Some salads that contain eggs, non-vegetarian ingredients or certain fats & oils are especially vulnerable to degradation
2. Do not display salads in bulk but rather have replenishments kept at ambient temperatures
3. Ensure the proper sanitizing method was followed with the ingredients when serving raw salads
4. Always use gloves when directly handling/processing raw salad vegetables

Remember……Salads are the best of foods…….when made safely and served with care