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Salad
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<p>A salad is a <a href="/facts/Dish_(food)/3JGq8m3W">dish</a> consisting of mixed ingredients, frequently vegetables. They are typically served chilled or at room temperature, though some can be served warm. Condiments called <i><a href="/facts/Salad_dressing/TTkkxT9F">salad dressings</a></i>, which exist in a variety of flavors, are usually used to make a salad. </p><p>Garden salads have a base of raw <a href="/facts/Leafy_greens/K30EKvpd">leafy greens</a> (sometimes young "baby" greens) such as <a href="/facts/Lettuce/o68aNEJX">lettuce</a>, <a href="/facts/Arugula/WtatItVJ">arugula</a> (rocket), <a href="/facts/Kale/Go6JUGyH">kale</a> or <a href="/facts/Spinach/PwxrL0o0">spinach</a>; they are common enough that the word <i>salad</i> alone often refers specifically to garden salads. Other types of salad include <a href="/facts/Bean_salad/TWjqNSMf">bean salad</a>, <a href="/facts/Tuna_salad/nb5Iuwmk">tuna salad</a>, bread salads (such as <a href="/facts/Fattoush/qU3DEEMB">fattoush</a>, <a href="/facts/Panzanella/6lXAlFAh">panzanella</a>), vegetable salads without leafy greens (such as <a href="/facts/Greek_salad/67N8jvRy">Greek salad</a>, <a href="/facts/Potato_salad/sTkWLuf0">potato salad</a>, <a href="/facts/Coleslaw/9lqg4HPj">coleslaw</a>), rice-, <a href="/facts/Pasta_salad/FDGPLBEe">pasta</a>- and <a href="/facts/Noodle/mtlmG10e">noodle</a>-based salads, <a href="/facts/Fruit_salad/Bbo8R8rE">fruit salads</a> and <a href="/facts/Dessert_salad/LUfDMba5">dessert salads</a>. </p><p>Salads may be served at any point during a meal: </p> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Appetizer/trPwkXky">Appetizer</a> salads – light, smaller-portion salads served as the first course of the meal</li> <li><a href="/facts/Side_dish/PUX3HYS3">Side</a> salads – to accompany the main course as a side dish; examples include potato salad and coleslaw</li> <li><a href="/facts/Main_course/oQd2nCE8">Main course</a> salads – usually containing a portion of one or more high-<a href="/facts/Protein_foods/md4x7yeb">protein foods</a>, such as <a href="/facts/Eggs_as_food/dRLxAGev">eggs</a>, <a href="/facts/Legume/x6s6gVHY">legumes</a>, or <a href="/facts/Cheese/JrG8nGCm">cheese</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Dessert/1u079DYI">Dessert</a> salads – sweet salads containing <a href="/facts/Fruit/PBpuzk60">fruit</a>, <a href="/facts/Gelatin/RDeVU6HT">gelatin</a>, sweeteners or <a href="/facts/Whipped_cream/A8PD9PF8">whipped cream</a></li></ul> <p>When a sauce is used to flavor a salad, it is generally called a <i>dressing</i>; most salad dressings are based on either a <a href="/facts/Vinaigrette/lju3bzn2">mixture of oil and vinegar</a> or a creamy dairy base. </p>