Perfection Salad Recipe – Easy Kitchen Guide

By Lori Walker, MS, RD | Published on January 14, 2024 | Last Updated on January 14, 2024

Perfection salad is a classic American dish that has been around since the late 1800s. It’s a great way to add some variety to your weekly meal plan. The dish is a combination of cooked vegetables, herbs, and a savory dressing. The result is a flavorful and healthy salad that is perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a side dish. So, if you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious salad to make, then you should definitely try out the perfection salad recipe!

What is a perfection salad?

Perfection salad is a classic American dish that was created in the late 1800s. It is a combination of cooked vegetables, herbs, and a savory dressing. The vegetables used are usually celery, bell pepper, onions, and sometimes carrots. The herbs are typically parsley, celery seed, and tarragon. The dressing is usually a mayonnaise-based sauce, but it can also be made with olive oil.

Why You’ll Love this perfection Salad?

The beauty of this perfection salad recipe is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can add whatever vegetables, herbs, and dressing you like. It’s also a great way to get some extra vegetables into your diet. And because the dish is served cold, it’s ideal for those hot summer days.

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How Does It Taste Like?

Perfection salad has a savory and refreshing taste. The cooked vegetables offer a slight crunch and the herbs add a pleasant aroma. The mayonnaise-based dressing adds a creamy texture and a subtle sweetness. The result is a flavorful and balanced salad that is sure to please.

The Ingredients

• Freshly boiled water: The boiled water is used to dissolve the gelatin in the recipe, forming the base for the salad and allowing it to set properly.
• Premium lemon Jell-O gelatin: Lemon gelatin provides flavor and sets the foundation for the salad. It adds a tangy and citrusy taste to the dish.
• Balsamic vinegar or freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice: This ingredient adds acidity and brightness to the salad, either through the fruity tang of balsamic vinegar or the citrusy zing of Meyer lemon juice.
• Himalayan pink salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the salad, balancing the sweetness of the gelatin and adding a touch of seasoning.
• Chilled sparkling water: Sparkling water adds effervescence to the salad, contributing a light and airy texture while also enhancing the overall refreshing quality of the dish.
• Finely diced English celery: Celery adds crunch and a fresh, vegetal flavor to the salad, providing texture and contrast to the gelatin base.
• Thinly shredded purple cabbage: Purple cabbage not only adds vibrant color to the salad but also offers a slightly peppery taste and a pleasant crunch.
• Organic dried onion flakes: Dried onion flakes contribute savory notes and depth of flavor to the salad, adding a hint of oniony taste without overpowering the dish.
• Fire-roasted red pepper pimiento: Pimiento adds a mild, sweet, and slightly smoky flavor to the salad, as well as a pop of vibrant color.
• Mayonnaise infused with a hint of Dijon mustard to taste: The mayo provides creaminess and richness to the salad dressing, while the Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor, complementing the overall taste profile of the dish.

Directions

Step 1: Dissolve Lemon Jell-O:

In a mixing bowl, pour the freshly boiled water over the lemon Jell-O gelatin. Stir thoroughly until the gelatin is fully dissolved in the water.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients:

Add balsamic vinegar or freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice to the gelatin mixture. Stir it well to ensure even distribution.

Incorporate Himalayan pink salt and chilled sparkling water into the mixture. Stir until the ingredients are completely blended.

Step 3: Add Ingredients:

Fold in Vegetables:

• Gently fold in the finely diced English celery, thinly shredded purple cabbage, organic dried onion flakes, and fire-roasted red pepper pimiento into the gelatin mixture. Make sure all the ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Step 4: Chill:

Set in Mold or Dish:

• Pour the combined mixture into a mold or a suitable serving dish of your choice.

Refrigerate to Set:

• Place the prepared salad in the refrigerator to chill and set for a minimum of 2-3 hours or until the gelatin becomes firm.

Step 5: Serve:

Remove from Refrigerator:

• Once set, take the Perfection Salad out of the refrigerator.

Serve Individual Portions:

• Cut the salad into slices or scoop it into individual servings onto plates or bowls.

Step 6: Optional:

Add Optional Side:

• Optionally, serve the salad with a side of mayonnaise infused with a hint of Dijon mustard for added flavor, if desired.

Tips

• Use freshly chopped vegetables for the best flavor.
• If you’re looking for a creamier salad, you can add a few tablespoons of sour cream to the mayonnaise.
• Add a few tablespoons of lemon juice or vinegar to the dressing for a bit of tang.
• You can substitute the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or avocado for a lighter version.
• For a more colorful salad, add a few tablespoons of diced tomatoes or cucumbers.
• To make it a main dish, you can add cooked chicken or shrimp.

Nutrition Information

One serving of perfection salad contains approximately:

• Calories: 168
• Fat: 12.3g
• Carbohydrates: 8.5g
• Protein: 3.3g

How to store perfection salad?

Perfection salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To extend the shelf life, you can add a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar to the dressing.

What other substitute can I use in perfection salad?

• Instead of mayonnaise, you can use Greek yogurt or avocado for a lighter version.
• You can also substitute the celery, bell pepper, and onion with other vegetables like diced tomatoes, cucumbers, or even mushrooms.
• You can also use different herbs such as dill, thyme, or oregano in place of the celery seed and tarragon.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Perfection salad is a classic American dish that is easy to make and incredibly versatile. It is a great way to add some variety to your weekly meal plan and get some extra vegetables into your diet. 

The dish is a combination of cooked vegetables, herbs, and a savory dressing. The result is a flavorful and balanced salad that is sure to please. So, if you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious salad to make, then you should definitely try out the perfection salad recipe!

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