The other day I posted a picture of this incredibly gorgeous salad on instagram. I instagram a lot of things I eat, especially when they are healthy and beautiful like this particular salad.
As soon as I posted it, I got a few comments asking for the recipe. Ok, understandable. Peeps wanna know.
The thing is, my friend Jeremy and I spontaneously co-created this salad, and it definitely wasn’t any type of exact recipe. So, I figured it would be helpful if I posted another picture of all of the ingredients we used, encouraging people to use whatever amounts they like.
So I did. I posted a photo of all of the ingredients, and with it I wrote out a full list of everything we used in the salad.
Then I got messages from people saying “Thanks but I was hoping for the exact recipe.”
…
Not to be a dick, but come on.
Next, I got a private message from someone on Facebook, saying “You really shouldn’t be posting pictures of any salads unless you’re planning to share the exact recipe with everyone.”
YO….Who you trying to get crazy with, ese!? Don’t you know I’m loco??
(My life is so dramatic, I know).
So I started thinking.
Dudes. Listen. While sometimes I create exact, specific recipes for my blog (and I love sharing them with you), there are other times when life just happens, and all I can provide you with is a haphazard list of ingredients and hope you’ll be inspired to create something you love based on your own tastebuds. (Besides, not everyone wants to use such a crazy amount of cilantro like I do)!
I know it feels nice and safe to have our hands held through new endeavors. Believe me, I’m totally down for a little hand holding…but the real learning comes in when you have to figure it out on your own and forge your own path. (Are we talking about salad still?)
I actually don’t even really like using recipes, because creating meals based on intuition is so exciting. Most of my cooking is intuitively inspired, and I want to encourage you to do the same and just feel it out. Cooking is a serious form of creative art. (Do not, however, try this with baking…I’ve learned that lesson the hard way one too many times).
I especially don’t use recipes when creating salads. They are the ultimate act of culinary creative inspiration!! It’s almost rude to yourself to use an exact recipe when making a salad.
So why not take the list of ingredients, a photo of a meal, or inspiration from a restaurant and design your own unique creation that has exactly the amount of avocado or cilantro that makes you happy? It’s fun, I promise.
So that being said, here is the exact LIST of ingredients that went into this salad, and the dressing. I know, maybe it’s a little more difficult when you don’t have the exact amounts for a dressing, but I trust your judgment and I think you can handle it. The dressing was Jeremy’s creation and I can safely say that he didn’t measure out any specific amounts, so just taste as you go!! What’s the worst that can happen, really?
Salad:
Greens (whatever kind you like)
Avocado
Strawberries
Yellow tomato
Carrots
Cucumber
Chia seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Cilantro
Dressing:
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Bragg’s
Dijon mustard
Honey
Garlic
“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking, you’ve got to have a what-the-hell attitude.” -Julia Child
SO GO….walk boldly into the unknown territory of intuitively inspired salad creation!
I deeply love and cherish you guys. Really. :)
macha says
LIVE FOR U
jenny sansouci says
:) xo
Paige says
Haha, hilarious! Love the pumpkin seeds addition.
jenny sansouci says
they were actually tamari pumpkin seeds, just to eliminate any confusion :)
Jess says
Hahaha Love it, you tell them Jenny!!
Alison says
Hilarious!! Go Jenny!so true about cooking being a creative art form, you have to follow what feels good to you. Xo
Alli says
But wait… How big did you cut the strawberries? 1/2 inch? 1 inch? OMG my salad will taste too different if I cut them too big!!! ;)
jenny sansouci says
hehe. ;)
Emily says
Oh. Em. Gee. You are so right. I live the spontaneity of salad creation. Much like life, salads are a beautiful mix of what we have. Thank you so much for your lovely post and beautiful inspiring pics!
jenny sansouci says
Much like life. Awesome!
ashley says
Thanks so much for posting this Jenny! I’ve been in the same position and was just like, ok, wow, how do I respond? Reading this post made my day. I really appreciate your experience and thoughts.
xoa
jenny sansouci says
Glad you enjoyed it! xox
loni says
brilliant response and so TRUE!! LOL.
jenny sansouci says
thanks!
Rachel says
haha that is a beautiful Salad!!! I can see why people we hoping to recreate it perfectly…its pretty hilarious though, and Im feeling inspired after reading this to do some free form salad making.
jenny sansouci says
I know, it’s so f’ing beautiful. Yay for free form salad making!
Liz Norcia says
I love this post! I honestly want to say to whomever wanted a salad recipe REALLY??!?!? Even restaurants just throw in amounts. There is no exact science to a salad!!! It should be based on what amazingness is in season.
jenny sansouci says
Haha. Thanks Liz! Totally.
Lou-Lou says
Hi Jenny,
I feel like I found a new friend! I laughed and laughed at this post (being a baker and random salad maker too – I connected with your recipe assertions about the former and sentiments to let those creative salad-crushes just happen re the latter)
I found you on a random google search for “home-made juice bars in London City”, where I work ,after a friend suggested that spinach and kale actually can taste great in a juice (who knew!) and found your directions to Crussh (also don’t like the extra S – but hey – the make GREAT green goddess juice I discovered). I then went on to read loads of your blog entries and while laughing – I did have a few AHA moments which has inspired me to get real with food. I am feeling so happy about the connection you helped me make. THANKS!
jenny sansouci says
Wow! Lou-Lou you rock!! Happy you found me, happy to connect. Go to Joe & the Juice in London…they are awesome there. So nice to hear from you and glad my stuff is giving you a laugh:)
Stephanie K says
Haha – great post!
I love throwing together random ingredients to create new salads. As a regular recipe follower, making salad can be a freeing experience and you really can’t screw up a salad! I toss in whatever looks good that day and enjoy the process.
jenny sansouci says
Agreed.
Gwen says
Thank you for posting the salad ingredients! It looks crazy good. I am “salad challenged” as you might say. I have a hard time putting together a salad and if left to my own devices to figure it out, it includes: Ice berg, tomatoes, and salad dressing. YIKES. So am super appreciate of the list. Thank You!
jenny sansouci says
Glad you found it helpful! Now ditch the iceberg lettuce and go for some dark leafies!
Jessica says
This is seriously amaze-balls! Forget all the haters. Where has all the creativity gone in the world?
Another awesome salad addition…. Nature’s Path Organic Love Crunch Granola — I prefer the Aloha BLend or Enjoy Life Seed and Fruit mix — Beach Bash! Both are amazing.
Jennifer Forchelli says
Love this and love your site! I can’t believe people are so demanding… haha
Elsbeth Mcewan says
I loved your response. What is Braggs?
amy says
yea- tell em to take it or leave it!