Freshly picked or purchased herbs and a variety of lettuce greens are essential. If you choose, your salad creation may include fruits, vegetables, nuts, raisins, cheese, meets, seafood, legumes, sprouts, etc. For the oil solution use just one or a combination of oils. Choose a robust tasty oil in combination with a softer oil to create a balance that won't overwhelm the salad but will still have a character of its own. Robust oils are hazelnut, walnut, or olive oil.
Softer oils are grape seed, cotton seed, safflower, and corn oil.
The combination of the acid solution may include such ingredients as lime or lemon, fruit juices, vinegar, or possibly wine. To sweeten the acid you may use honey, sugar, or sweet fruit juice. Seasoning may include herbs, spices, mustard, horse radish, etc. Copyright 2000, Michael Hunsinger . Michael graduated from the California Culinary Academy in 1987.