Shoots & Leaves
If one of your resolutions this year is to eat more green (good) stuff – like salads and fresh veggies – then you’re in luck. I’ve scoured the best of the best to spot seven amazing salad-themed gift ideas, perfect for showers, housewarming, hostess, and thank you gifts.
Lettuce Knife – $5.95 via Trudeau Corporation (click ‘Where to Buy’ for stores)
I peered into my mom’s drawers one day and came across a large-sized plastic knife, not unlike the one pictured above. Upon asking what it was for, she explained to chop lettuce. While it may seem silly to have a separate dull knife for lettuce, there’s actually a science behind it: stainless steel can damage the leaves of your lettuce, causing it to go brown (particularly for what’s left behind if say, you’re whipping up a side salad for two). This knife’s singular purpose still manages to cut through for a perfect, light salad, without the damaging side effects.
Salad Servers – $69.99 @ Unveil Secret
Made from untreated wood branches and stainless steel, these beautiful serving utensils are truly one-of-a-kind. Perfect for hauling out when you’ve invited the boss over for dinner, these are instant conversation starters that will seriously deck out your table to the point where it’s photo-worthy.
5-Blade Herb Scissors – $5.99 @ Stokes
Chop your herbs in a flash with these nifty ten-bladed scissors. Simply wash your leafy greens and use these special scissors to snip fresh mouthfuls of chives into your salad, or oregano into whatever main course your serving up. A whiz to use and easy-to-clean, these are a busy chef’s dream utensil.
OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Salad Spinner & Herb Spinner – $52.81 – $54.99 @ Amazon.ca
Whip up your salad into a frenzy with this beloved brand’s awesome salad spinners that forgo the tired old pull-string method in favour of a sleeker, smarter pump that won’t break down after a few uses. Although the plastic models are a little bit cheaper, I like the stainless steel for its durability, and the fact the casing bowl can actually pull double-duty as a serving dish.
Chef’n Emulstir – $16.95 @ Kitchen Virtue
This nifty kitchen gadget is actually on my registry – once you know what it does, you’ll probably want to add it to your wish list too! If you know anything about salads, it’s that the quickest way to pile on the calories is with dressing. That is, unless you opt for a lighter homemade dressing – which couldn’t be easier to prepare. This emulsifier makes it oh-so-simple with recipes printed right on the bottle, and a hand-activated wand to keep your salad topper from separating.
Pure Red 9 3/4″ Salad Bowl – $149.99 @ Bed, Bath & Beyond
Of course a salad-themed serving post wouldn’t be complete without a bowl, and after looking at dozens of options, I finally landed on this crisp white bowl with a splash of vibrant red. I chose it because whether or not you opt for the matching tableware, this is a statement-making piece that will bring any dinner table to life, far more than a bouquet of cumbersome flowers ever could. Plus can’t you just picture it with those salad tongs I selected above? Gorgeous! A picture perfect wedding gift idea.
Salad of the Day (Williams Sonoma): 365 Recipes for Every Day of the Year by Georgeanne Brennan – $39.95 (list)
I’ll admit, I sometimes eschew ‘salad recipe’ sections in my cookbooks because it all seems so basic – chop / slice / mix / toss. Then it’s usually my fiancee that suggests he’d like something light for dinner, and I make one of those salad recipes, and I’m floored by the complex flavours and textures that can come from a few basic ingredients (processed foods need not apply) mixed in just the right way. Hot on the heels of their successful Soup of the Day cookbook, culinary authorities (and their prolific cookbook author pal Georgeanne Brennan) Williams Sonoma have stepped up to the plate by creating a year’s worth of salad recipes. If you want to be religious about it, flip open to today’s date and you’ll find instant inspiration, often tied to the seasonal availability of vegetables / suitability of the weather (i.e. grilled salads – liked Grilled Peach, Arugula & Goat Cheese – pop up in the summer). And trust me when I say, you will not get bored. I really don’t see how you can when the options are diverse as a Pasta Salad with Spring Asparagus & Snap Peas suitable for a potluck or a light side salad like Chopped Salad with Olive Oil & Lemon to pair with your next dinner party entree to protein-packed meal-sized salads (like the BLT & Poached Egg Salad) for vegetarians, omnivores, and vegans alike. And if we’re talking eye candy, prepare to get a toothache (eyeache?) from the expert food styling on virtually every single page. This is a book for foodies, and a book for salad lovers, and a book for people just looking for inspiration for the oft-overlooked but oft-rewarding salad course. I especially love it as a fab Mother’s Day find, a shower gift for your ‘shedding for the wedding’ bride, or simply a reward for yourself after a month of cutting back on carbs and moaning at the sight of a head of lettuce. There is a better way. Trust me.
Have I achieved what was once thought impossible? Are you CRAVING salad as much as I am as I type these words? If yes, you’ll be pleased to hear I’m giving away four copies of the Salad of the Day Cookbook. Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment by February 5th with your favourite salad recipe (or type) AND your favourite salad gift idea featured in this post.
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around February 6th to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Tweet about this giveaway – and mention the featured cookbook by name – up to five times over the contest period to earn up to five bonus entries! Just be sure to leave links to your tweets in the comments below.
Canadian Gift Guide 
My favorite salad type is anything with lentils or blackbeans. Yum. Ablove , I love the salad spinners and the Pure Red 9 3/4″ Salad Bowl
tweet 1
My favourite salad is a Caesar Salad. I love the Chef’n Emulstir
I tweeted https://twitter.com/skeetersden/status/291876659878035456
Greek Salads are my favourite and the Stainless Steel Salad Spinner is my favourite product.
My favourite salad is a good Greek salad, and I think the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Salad Spinner & Herb Spinner is so so so sleek!!
This is my favourite Greek Salad
1 seedless cucumber
1 carton grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice or red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp coarse black pepper
200g feta cheese, cubed
2 tsp dried oregano leaves
1 cup kalamata olives
Peel cucumber and cut into 3/4 inch chunks.
Combine with tomatoes and chopped onion.
Combine olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, whisk until blended. Pour over vegetables; toss to coat.
Sprinkle with cheese, oregano and olives.
Serves 6-8
I love the 5 blade herb scissors
Tweet #1 – https://twitter.com/1byspike/status/291909542202183680
MY FAVORITE SALAD IS A LAYERED SALAD.IT IS ESPECIALLY GOOD IN THE SUMMER WHEN GARDENS ARE READY WITH FRESH INGREDIENTS. EVERY BITE HAS A DIFFERENT TASTE. IF I HAD TO PICK ONE OF THE FEATURED SALAD ITEMS THAT YOU HAVE SHOWCASED I DO NOT THINK I COULD. I COULD USE EVERY ONE OF THEM. I AM HOWEVER THANKFUL FOR YOU TELLING ME WHAT THAT PLASTIC KNIFE IS THAT I SEE AT PEOPLES HOUSES AND WAS TO SUSPICIOUS TO ASK.!!
I love a really good fattoush salad. So yummy! My fave item from above has to be the herb scissors – genius!
Tweet #1: https://twitter.com/tjbugnet/status/291958284569690113
My favourite salad is Greek…and I love the salad servers featured in this post!
Spinach, strawberries and almonds… mmmm
or Broccoli, mandarin, sunflower seeds with creamy dressing or….
I love salad. Esp. anything with Arugula.
I agree with the salad bowl & tongs making an excellent gift for someone. My favorite salad is one my Mom used to make in the early 80’s. We always just called it the mandorin orange salad: mixed greens as you like or romaine lettuce, 1/4 finely sliced red onion, 1 can drained mandorin orange slices, 1 chopped avocado & then toss with creamy Italian dressing.
I love spinache with fresh strawberries and seseme seeds. I then make a dressing with olive oil, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, sugar and parmesan cheese. Yummy. I love the stainless salad spinner.
My favourite salad is cobb and favourite item is the blade herb scissors.
My favourite salad is called the Back woods salad with apples, romaine, raisins and walnuts. I like the salad spinner.
cobb salad is the best !! I also lovethe herb scissors>
My favorite salad is broccoli slaw. But generally I love any salad.
This is one awesome prize !
My favourite salad is the creamy broccoli and raisin one. I would LOVE that cookbook since I am in a “salad club” at work where one person brings salad for the others, once a week! My favourite item in your post is definitely that cookbook!
My favourite is a caesar salad. I would love the OXO Good Grips Salad Spinner and Herb Spinner. I miss having a salad spinner!
https://twitter.com/oddball2003/status/292111717339643904
I like many salads, but enjoy a broccoli, bacon and cheddar salad. My favourite item is the stainless steel salad spinner! #CGG
My favourite salads have 3 ingredients: goat’s cheese, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. I vary the salady ingredients, but the goat’s cheese and oil and vinegar dressing make them all to die for.
tweet 2 – https://twitter.com/1byspike/status/292261072256241664
(posted before, but I don’t see it)
My favourite salad is: Salade Niçoise.
Really like the salad servers featured. Neat design.
Thanks.
I tweeted #1: https://twitter.com/Alexandrina_M/status/292285372690468865
Waldorff & BLADE HERB SICCORS
Tweet #2: https://twitter.com/tjbugnet/status/292312006252433408
My favourite type of salad is broccoli, and I think the Emulstir is great!
I tweeted!
My favourite salad is with spinach, red cabbage and strawberry. Made with an apple cider vinaigrette. I like the salad bowl.
I tweeted. https://twitter.com/dikorory/status/292376285517328384
Another tweet. https://twitter.com/dikorory/status/292411024609513472
I finally already own something you’ve posted here Brittany! My fave is for sure the 5-Blade Herb Scissors. I bought them a year ago, paid a tad more than you have listed, but they are an essential in my home. And they are still sharp…sharp…sharp after countless washings. I use them for not only the herbs mentioned but also for fresh rosemary, fresh tarragon, and also basil.
Black Bean Salad is my favourite (I could munch on it all day long). Here is the recipe….usually I don’t do this, but it’s well worth sharing….and I feel it’s the lime juice instead of the vinegar that truly gives it that added zingy addictiveness. And this salad visually is so appealing with all the different colours. CGG members and Brittany you’ve got to try this one ~ truly it’s amazing!
Black Bean Salad ~ Just Awesome!!
Ingredients:
1 can of black beans
1 can of sweet corn
1 ripe avocado
1 large tomato
1/2 red onion or 1/2 sweet onion
1 lime
1 tablespoon olive oil
few dashses of salt and pepper
1 red pepper or yellow pepper
1 clove garlic
1 tsp sugar
Directions:
Cut up the avocado and pepper into small pieces
cut up onion into small pieces
press garlic to crush
cut up the rest of the veggies & add all the vegtables into a bowl
drain can of beans and sweet corn and add into bowl
Squeeze lime into bowl and add the sugar
add salt and pepper and a little olive oil
Mix all together and it is ready to serve
***(Even better the next day)***
I love Greek salad.
My favorite Salad is made with Mixed Greens, Cucumber, Tomato, Red Peppers & Feta Cheese. I dress it with Olive oil, fresh garlic and salt & pepper. Simple and Delicious. I would definitely get use of the Spinner
My favourite salad is Ceasar Salad, with real bacon bits on it!
My favourite salad kitchen gadget here are 5-Blade Herb Scissors
Caesar Salad is my favourite and I love the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Salad Spinner.
My favourite salad is delicious, easy, and healthy. It probably helps that I discovered it on a beach in Thailand: Some shredded red cabbage, some grated carrot, and some thinly sliced duke (i also add some celery). Crumble a half a can of tuna on top. Squeeze the juice of a lime over it, and drizzle some good quality olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. So yummy!
Fave product are the salad servers; so unique and pretty!
tweet #3 – https://twitter.com/1byspike/status/292663049586880512
my favorite salad is spinach, walnuts & strawberries and I love the herb scissors – how genius!
I love spinach salad with cucumbers, green onions, and tomotoes splashed with balsamic vinegar (and olive oil), and seasoned with black pepper, basil, and cinnamon. Possible add-ins include Torani sugar-free raspberry syrup, dried cranberries and/or fresh strawberries/raspberries, sliced apples, and almonds or walnuts with feta cheese. Make it a meal with spicy chicken breast slices or shrimp. A great gift would be the salad knife.
Arugula salad with pmegranate…
1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons aged balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 freshly ground pepper
6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 medium bunches arugula, rinsed well and thick stems removed
1/3 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds, from 1 medium pomegranate
tweeted
Love Caesar salad…my all time favorite and as someone else said …with real bacon bits
My absolute favourite salad is Potato Salad!! Any flavours! And my favourite salad gift idea from this post is the Pure Red 9 3/4″ Salad Bowl. How gorgeous!!
mandarin orange almond salad
I love a good carrot salad, moist and crunchy, with chopped nuts and raisins. AND the Bed, Bath & Beyond salad bowl in red and white is an eye-catching show stopper.
I love the blade herb scissors gift idea and my fave salad is a nicoise!
my favorite modified nicoise is with asparagus instead of beans and smoked salmon instead of tuna. With the other ingredients all the same, it’s an amazing new take on the classic.
I should have added, the lettuce should be either baby lettuce mix/california mix or arugula for the modified nicoise to work well – also the dressing should have some balsamic and fresh lemon juice in it too.
Ingredients for a single serving:
1 packed cup of Mescum mix, baby greens and or baby arugula as the base on a large plate
on top of this, lay the following:
boiled quartered baby or fingerling potatoes (4 – 6 depending on size)
quartered hard boiled free range eggs (2)
8 asparagus spears steamed and cooled
~ 3 oz/100 g ++ of good quality smoked salmon slices
12 capers or 4 caper berries
thinly sliced red onion
6 black calamata olives
Dressing:
1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons good quality olive oil
1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
fresh pressed garlic clove – crushed
fresh ground black pepper
small amount of salt if needed
blend or shake vigorously.
may add some oregano or basil to the dressing if wished. Fresh is even better if you have it.
Serve the dressing at the side for the diner to drizzle as wished.
Serve with superb warm bread and a good red wine.
Makes a glorious lunch or dinner.
Best consumed in double quantities with good company.
Add the best quartered tomatoes you can find to your nicoise! Apologies for the omission!
I tweeted. https://twitter.com/dikorory/status/292858063109648384
My favorite salad is caesar. Full of garlic, croutons, parmesan and bacon
bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com
tweeted
tweet
tweet #4 – https://twitter.com/1byspike/status/292993268281643009
I like rocket salads.. AND i like the pure red salad bowl
Another tweet. https://twitter.com/dikorory/status/293061283215986689
I love Caesar salad and i am loving those herb scissors!
I love a good Cesear Salad with bacon on it and those salad servers are absolutely adorable.
My favourite salad recipe/type is a Cobb salad – bacon, egg, chicken, yum my favorite combination! And my favorite gift idea is the “Pure Red 9 3/4″ Salad Bowl – $149.99 @ Bed, Bath & Beyond” but unfortunately not for that price. But we can dream 😉
Bonus Entry #1 (Jan.20): Tweeted about this giveaway (https://twitter.com/SoulSeeker0/status/293216541984575489)
tweeted
i love the lebanese taboulle salad. its tasty and filling. i really like the cookbook. i collect them
tweet 2
tweet #5 – https://twitter.com/1byspike/status/293346942732361728
my favourite salad is greek salad and my favourite gift idea is the unveil secret salad servers
tweeted
tweet
I really like the Herb Scissors. As for salad, any variety of lettuce with some red radishes, tomatoes, green and red pepper and some croutons on top with a vinaigrette dressing, is what I make most often.
I think this is tweet #4 (I hope anyway): https://twitter.com/tjbugnet/status/293777127583657984
i make a plain garden salad with ranch dressing and i bake a torilla in a bowl form and eat that.. i would pick ythe Salad Servers, how cute are they!
tweeted
My favourite gift idea would be the Salad cookbook, and my favourite salad recipe is just a loaded veggie salad. Baby greens, tons of veggies like tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, broccoli, etc, normally with a ranch dressing.
I love the red salad bowl. My favorite salad is macaroni with fresh brocolli and cauliflower, red pepper strips and black olives sliced. You can really add anything you like but it would look great in that red bowl.
Fave salad gift idea is the Pure Red 9 3/4″ Salad Bowl from Bed, Bath & Beyond. As for fave salad recipe … that would probably be a nice Romaine with light Caesar dressing, mixed in with roasted chickpeas (stovetop) and lightly toasted pecans (toaster oven or regular oven), and some tomato diced in at the end for good measure.
blt salad and i love the red salad bowl
My favourite salad is potato salad. I like the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Salad Spinner & Herb Spinner
1st tweet – https://twitter.com/Vesper1931/status/294508395703193600
tweeted – https://twitter.com/dikorory/status/294562881561829376
I bought every household in my family a gift of the scissors – we all love them! Will look for the OXO salad and herb spinners. Useful and sturdy.
2nd tweet https://twitter.com/Vesper1931/status/294730718557380608
love the dressing emulsifier and lettuce knife too!
I think this is #5 tweet: https://twitter.com/tjbugnet/status/294833423829327872
I love a really substantial Chef’s Salad, but I like almost any kind of salad. The 5-Blade Herb Scissors would really come in handy. I’d also be curious to try the Lettuce Knife.
tweeted
3rd tweet – https://twitter.com/Vesper1931/status/295171777796112384
I have been a pasta salad freak lately. Add veggies/fruit and I am good to go.
I like the OXO Good Grips Stainless Steel Salad Spinner. 🙂
Tweet #1 https://twitter.com/Sue2Sueper/status/295182216609267712
Tweet #2:
I like spinach salads and I love the stainless steel salad spinner
My favorite salad is called “Hale to the Kale” salad made with fresh kale, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, purple cabbage, carrots, flax oil, balsamic vinegar, Bragg’s all purpose seasoning, etc. It is so yummy!!
tweeted
4th tweet – https://twitter.com/Vesper1931/status/295561687128489984
spinach salad and i like the emulsifier
tweet 1
Bonus Entry #1 (Jan.28): Tweeted about this giveaway (https://twitter.com/SoulSeeker0/status/295780967291944960)
Tweet #3:
5th tweet – https://twitter.com/Vesper1931/status/295881022694903808
I have to admit, I’m on a grilled chicken Greek salad kick (with lots of olives and feta). But I’m pretty much game to anything salad-related. 🙂 I LOVE the salad servers! 🙂 🙂
love those herb scissors!!!
I really like the real red salad bowl
i like a good potato salad and aslo like the salad bowl!!!!
Love salads – would like to see what new and different ones are included in the cookbook!
tweeted https://twitter.com/dikorory/status/297434781489172480
roasted tofu with pine nuts and pomegranate, tossed in a light vinaigrette.
My favourite gif here is the OXO salad spinner, I’ve lusted after one for years. I like a basic Ceasar salad.
Cesear Salade ohh my..
Salad Servers – $69.99 @ Unveil Secret
I’m normally not a salad person (love the greens, hate the dressing) but my boyfriend LOVES them! There’s a recipe out there somewhere that even I like for a bacon-vinaigrette salad that’s just awesome! My favourite gift idea here has to be the lettuce knife. I have a similar one and those things are just awesome!
I love making Asian noodle pasta salads, and I love the salad servers featured in this post.
Greek salad. I had one every day when I was in Greece.
I love salads with vinagrettes and grilled meats and fruit. my fav item is the salad a day book
I love a good cesar salad. My favorite item is the herb scissors.
I love all salads in general but I really like an oil and vinegar macaroni salad with shrimp. The OXO Salad Spinner is the best — I have it and love it.
When my child was very small, I raised her to know vegetables and salads will make you beautiful – and this cookbook looks like a wonderful way to inspire beautiful meals!
my favorite salad gift idea is a huge handcrafted wooden bowl! I would be in heaven if someone gave me a giant artisanal wooden bowl so that’s what I would gift too!