[cinnamon]

Hi guys, dont usually write a lot but i love reading all ur stories.
I need some ideas for a salad buffet bar. now I am working at a youth camp for the summer, not the standard of food I am usd to, but good money and no stress for 5 months.
The problem is, we served a buffet of salad everyday, they are the basics( lettuce, tomato, cucumber, sweetcorn, carrot, boiled eggs...) plus a few that keep changing like coleslaw, tuna mayo, remoulard, pasta salad...

I am running out of ideas already and dont wanna do always the same, otherwise is too boring,
Anyone has got an idea to help me out??

thanks

[food-macro]

Why dont you throw some wraps into the mix they can make up there own wraps it would make it more fun for them, you put just a few more sauces ont the line (like ranch/cesar/BBQ/etc) and some bacon and ham, anything else would be up to you. This way your not having to make like a whole bunch of wraps or prep like 4 hours and it is somthing new unless you have already done this...

[dano1]

did the same thing a few years back. Offering anything other than the salad bar? Salad bar just kept simple and didnt change much-heavy on the ranch dressing, croutons, the other usual suspects. Kids didnt have a prob with it-especially for what we charged for meals...

[cinnamon]

kids have not a problem at all.

the pproblem comes from staff, they want new chices changing oftenly.
i am running out of ideas cos the budget is really small and i cant use pork in any of the meals.

[dano1]

yeah, know what your talking about. Staff was charged the same as the kids so it was tough luck-take it or leave it. Might try a couple of tossed salads, southwestern, caesar, cobb, etc-did that on occasion when i had extra chix or whatever left.

hth, danny

[Mapiva]

How about home made croutons in different flavors? Spicy, garlic, sesame, etc.

Make a big deal out of lettuces like putting up exotic kinds and labeling them to say something like "watercress - a nice peppery flavor", that way you're also teaching kids how to diversify their pallet.

Beans are a must at a salad bar. Canellini, red kidney, and garbanzo beans are all great, and also blanched green beans.

You could have a pickle station - olives, pickled cukes, pickled mushrooms, etc.

Think of adding cheese to it as well. Crumbled goat cheese, blue cheese, and manchego.

Something I'd love to see on a salad bar are blanched dandellion greens. They can be extremely cheap and when drizzled with a vinegraitte they're divine.

Fried okra is a hit.

Pesto!!!!!!! Easy to make, keeps in the freezer forever!

Corn salad with red bell peppers.

Rice salad or couscous.

And don't forget beets!

[durangojo]

trail mix, sunflower seeds, crispy chow mein noodles, artichoke hearts, cheeses, broccoli and cauliflower florets, shredded zucchini, yelow squash, quinoa or orzo salad, marinated mushrooms, roasted corn and black beans(frozen product), edamame(fresh or frozen), different types of potato and pasta salad(non mayo based),tuna without the mayo,egg salad, non mayo based salad dressings like raspberry vinaigrette, balsamic, or greek...great idea of putting out flour tortillas so wraps can be made..taco shells and salsa too..and if you have leftovers from dinner or fresh fruit from breakfast, all that too!
joey

[Dirk Skene]

How about pickled okra?

[DC Sunshine]

Maybe if you can bbq/grill some of the veg, dress and serve them, say like the corn cobs or lettuce hearts/ tomatoes, you could easily grill and dress them in a vinaigrette...
Do a kedgeree type salad with rice, tuna boiled eggs in a curry sauce...
Do a salad nicoise type combo- tuna, lettuce , eggs, boiled potato, olives if you have them...
Very simple grated carrot and raisin salad dressed with orange juice... maybe some cabbage or apple for changes...
Eggs under mayonaisse on a bed of lettuce and red onion...
Tomato and onion salad in a vinegar dressing with cracked black pepper...add watermelon if you have it
Hope some of this helps

DC