The Salad Lab

May 6, 2024
Schrijver, the TikTok creator behind @TheSaladLab, showcases her structured approach to salads in her debut collection of 109 recipes that encourage both organization and creativity. Schrijver’s recipes all follow the same three steps: “Start Out,” in which one assembles and preps ingredients; “Whisk,” in which one makes the dressing; and “Toss,” the final assembly stage. Classics, including Greek salad and tabbouleh, are followed by originals organized by theme. Seasonal options include a summer wedding salad featuring roasted vegetables, and Michelle Obama’s spring pea salad features in a short chapter of recipes taken from celebrities. Salads inspired by locations include an Arizona chopped salad in which smoked salmon, cranberries, and corn mimic the colors of an Arizona sunset. The playful “Everything Is a Salad” section features a lox and bagel salad with bagel croutons and a fish taco salad with cheesy tortilla croutons. Schrijver’s format is appealing but sometimes deceptively simple, with extra steps like chopping, dicing, peeling, and occasionally even cooking hiding out in the ingredients list. The Winter Wedge iceberg salad, for example, references four additional recipes that must be made in advance. Still, Schrijver provides plenty of useful tips (for example, readers can crisp salad greens by soaking them in ice water), variations, and ideas for substitutions throughout. Those looking to expand their salad options will find both a useful methodology and plenty of inspiration.

July 12, 2024

Schrijver, who developed a following on TikTok in 2020 when she began posting her salad recipes, brings her enthusiastic, somewhat gimmicky, and surprisingly expansive approach to salad creation to the printed page. The "Salad Lab" concept that she created for social media continues in her debut cookbook. Although some readers may not want to use beakers to measure out their ingredients like Schrijver does, her consistent methods, predictable sets of steps, and chatty yet clear and concise directions will help readers feel confident in following along. In addition to some basic salads, there are recipes themed around celebrities, travel, and holidays. Garlic, onions, avocados, and cheese appear frequently, either in the salads or in the dressings. Some ingredients may be more readily available in Schrijver's Northern California location than in other areas. Each recipe is accompanied by a vibrant, detailed photograph, though none of them lists nutrition information. The book concludes with general directions for preparing a variety of grains and vegetables and recipes for seven kinds of croutons and 13 salad dressings. VERDICT Recommended for larger collections, especially where readers are looking for a fun, accessible way to add more salad into their lives.--Judy Poyer

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