So this is probably going to be one of the most obvious meal ideas I’ve ever presented (don’t call me a slacker!), but I couldn’t help think that maybe it’s still a really good one. A few nights ago I decided to make a big salad for dinner, one with lots of ingredients: sting beans, shredded carrots, avocado, diced tomatoes, feta, roasted potatoes, poached chicken…but instead of tossing it all in a big bowl (which I like doing for salads like a caesar but in general I’m more of a composed salad girl…don’t even get me started on those “chopped” salad places that mince your roughage into shrapnel-sized pieces so it’s like you’re eating confetti) I decided to put everything out separately on the kitchen counter for a makeshift, serve yourself, salad bar. It was pretty to look at and everyone could make a bowl to their tastes.
There’s something about personal-assembly that seems to enliven a family meal, or any meal for lots of different people, say when you’re having a group of friends over for a casual dinner, book club meeting, what have you. Everyone chatting in the kitchen and putting their plate together
