Crunch time: Eight salad offerings put to the test
puts eight salads to the taste test
In a perfect world, we would assemble a salad of freshly picked leaves, some homegrown tomatoes, a few slices of leftover meats or some delicious smoked sustainable fish and a homemade dressing, to be mopped up with delicious homemade bread.
It doesn’t take long to weigh, sift and mix a loaf of bread, but if you are under time pressure there are now superb breads available from local bakeries.
In a few weeks time, there could be a shortage of fresh salad leaves resulting from the heatwave, so some of the salads featured today, grown in tunnels, may be just what we need after an extraordinary few months.
On the negative side, we end up using plastic which we must avoid using and buying, so when you do, make sure the wrapping can be recycled/reused.
Buying from a local market stall or shop counteracts this, and Cork’s offerings are reflected throughout the country with excellent salads made daily.
We didn’t visit cafés which have takeaway counters on the side, but they are worth a look for a takeaway mix, ideal for picnics, last-minute home parties or easy lunches and suppers.
Some are so substantial with secondary protein in the form of beans and lentils or primary protein from fish and meat, that we need little else. If the weather eventually lets us down, create a picnic indoors — a rug on the floor may be all that is needed.
The Rocket Man 3 salads 2 dressings 370g €6.50
We chose three salads and two dressings: herb green couscous with wild garlic, almonds and radish; tamari Puy lentil with roasted vegetables and Asian salad with rice noodles, mint, carrots, cabbage and peanuts.
Every mouthful, zingy on the tastebuds, our mix had fiery and spicy elements, with yogurt dressing a gentle coolant.
From Princes St shop, and Mahon Point and Douglas farmers’ markets.
9.5
LovingSalads 480g €3.50 and €5.50
Tubs packed with a choice from a wide range of chunky salads are topped with dressings.
German potato salad with gherkins, pickles, tarragon, spring onions, parsley and mustard; celeriac remoulade were delicious; raw cauliflower with turmeric roasted almonds, red cabbage, peppers, lemon and biryani was the favourite.
Protein — salmon, chicken, beef or goats
cheese — may be added.
Made in Cork and sold in Academy St and Washington St, Cork.
9
Marks & Spencer Chicken & Bacon Layered Salad €4.70
A substantial salad for a picnic, this could feed two.
Pasta salad, chicken breast, sweetcorn and smoked bacon on a bed of iceberg lettuce and carrot were fresh and crunchy with a creamy dressing.
The satisfaction of a Club Sandwich without the bread.
Made in Britain.
7.25
Lidl Meadow Fresh Moroccan Style Salad Bowl 230g €2.99
A divided plastic carton has peppers, onion, mixed leaves and a dessertspoon of couscous flecked with plump sultanas.
Three falafels have a nice amount of chopped apricot contrasting well with the dry taste of chickpeas.
Salad was crisp, but some of the cut edges were starting to go brown (sell by date was three days after purchase).
The red onion and red and yellow peppers were still plump.
6.5
The Sandwich Stall English Market €5.95 (€13.50/kg)
Tying for top spot, a tuna salad, lively Asian noodle salad and a beetroot mix made a superb combination from a wide range of tempting mixes of flavours.
Heartier options include chickpeas and beans.
The basil sang with freshness and aromatics, while all the textures were individually interesting and perfectly cooked.
Tasters wanted more.
Sold by weight. Our three salads were good value.
9.5
Dunnes Stores Caesar Salad 240g €1.49
This bag is much better value than the solid plastic container which is double the price for just 155g.
Cos lettuce has a gentle, tasty Caesar dressing in a pouch, a bag of proper parmesan shavings (we would have liked more, but were glad it was not a cheap imitation) and a bag of crunchy croutons.
Overall a satisfactory bag of freshness at a fair price.
Produced and packaged in Co Louth.
8
Aldi Specially Selected Green Bean Salad 160g €1.99
Crunchy mangetout, fresh and lively, with substantial edamame soy beans, dressed in lime juice, chilli purée, white wine vinegar, a gentle dressing has mustard, turmeric, sour cream, egg and oil are topped with sesame seeds.
Not substantial, but a handy addition to a picnic.
Produced in Ireland with no mention of source of ingredients.
6.75
SuperValu Ham & Onion Baked Salad 400g €4
Tasters didn’t expect to like a cold baked potato, but with the flavoursome filling of chicken, ham and onion were won over.
Lettuce, red onion, peppers, cucumber, tomato, coleslaw on the side were unremarkable, but fresh, even with two days to the sell-by date.
In a plastic carton (please recycle), the salad was substantial for picnics.
6.75
