Chef’s Salad

Even picky eaters will want to eat this super simple Chef’s Salad. Shamelessly made with crisp iceberg lettuce, everything here is cheap and easy to find. We could probably all use something a little green right about now.

So it turns out going grocery shopping these days is so emotionally fraught that once I get home from dodging other humans and hauling milk and cat food up the hill, I don’t have the energy to make dinner anymore. I have big plans to make crispy chicken and (microwaved) steamed veggies. Then I make it home, wash my hands nine times, and find I’m completely out of energy. Is this happening to anyone else?

So then we end up ordering pizza, and I feel comforted for a moment. And let’s face it, pizza is always better than chicken and vegetables. But then I remember that I don’t know when I’ll be able to go to dance class again, and I’ve been averaging less than 5000 steps a day walking in a circle around my living room. Suddenly, delicious pizza seems like a terrible idea.

So we’re faced with a conundrum. We need to eat a dang salad. But us carb-loving picky eaters know that salad is the worst. I think I’ve come up with a compromise. This Chef’s Salad is definitely not pizza, but it’s also not gross and sad. It’s got cheese, ham and sweet corn, and it’s dressed with a mustard vinaigrette. It comes together in no time and makes enough to feed four people. There’s a lot going on, but there’s nothing unusual or bitter or bizarrely textured. It’s definitely the right salad for picky eaters.

How to make Chef’s Salad

I also think this is a social distancing-friendly dish. It’s only got a few ingredients, and they’ll all be easy to find. We use iceberg lettuce because it stays really crisp and isn’t bitter. It can stand up to hanging out in the fridge for a couple of days without completely wilting. I used shredded Swiss cheese, but you can sub out any cheese you can get your hands on. We’ve also got just regular deli ham and canned corn.

The dressing is made from whatever mustard is in your fridge, some olive oil, and white wine vinegar. Apple cider vinegar could work as well. Go with what you got and add in anything else in the fridge you think is good.

We need to give our bodies what they need. Safety, protection, and yes, a salad every now and then. This Chef’s Salad will get you through, my friends. Take care of yourself.

Recipe adapted from Nigella Express by Nigella Lawson.

Looking for more easy salad recipes? Try this Fiery Halloumi Salad.