Everybody has gone to dinner with family or friends at their fa vorite restaurant and received a salad. Even if it is not ordered as the main course, many entrees come equipped with their own side salad. Typically, when the server brings the salad, it is accompanied by a few packages of crackers.
Where did this tradition begin? It makes sense to receive crackers with a hearty soup or stew but getting them with a salad almost seems like the crackers were just an afterthought.
The common practice started with a very honorable purpose; to help with getting the yummy salad bits that the fork cannot reach.
Southsamurai, a user on Reddit explained the use of the cracker with more eloquence than I could.
“Supposedly, the reason crackers got used in the south as part of salads is their ability to serve as a device to pick up bits of food that can't be forked, serving as a good source of soluble fiber, extra chewing benefits, and their longevity,” they posted.
The poster went on to list more benefits of a cracker – I never thought I would use the terms cracker and benefits in the same sentence.
“Crackers last. Even when they go stale, they remain safe to eat for extended periods of time. In the heat and humidity of the south, having something that isn't going to mold in a day or two is important. But they also tend to be useless by themselves. I mean, unless you're making cracker salad, which is tangential at best. So, having a salty, low moisture, crunchy bit of bread that can survive well in the era before AC was awesome.”
There are also health benefits to having crackers with salads, as well. Unless a salad has a protein with it, it is considered roughage. This means there is large amounts of insoluble fiber and cellulose and they go right through the one enjoying the greens. Typically, a balance between insoluble and useful soluble fibers is crucial. This is where crackers or croutons comes into play. Crackers are “soluble fiber bombs.”
Southsamuari also posted the mechanical benefits to a cracker.
“You’ll notice that lettuce tends to be difficult to chew thoroughly without something else to work against. You end up just grinding it between your teeth until it's mangled. But with crackers, croutons, or other sturdy bits, the pieces of lettuce get broken down better by chewing than without. This helps digestion and excretion.”
The poster ends the Reddit post with what they believe is the best use for having a cracker with a salad.
“Let’s face it, a salad with just lettuce is not really a salad, it's dressed greens. There's usually going to be other things involved. Shredded carrots, eggs, chicken bits, bacon, raisins, capers, cheese, the list can go on for pages.”
“Thing is, in a tossed salad, there isn't much of a way to get an even distribution,” they continued. “You'll end up with bits and bobs leftover. Having a nice cracker to push those things onto the fork is handy. Hard to stab shredded cheese or soft foods.”
Here’s a recipe for an amazing salad to go with your crackers.
Peach caprese salad with a peach vinaigrette
By Jedi Chef Stryker
Ingredients
8 cups baby spinach leaves 2 cups sliced peaches (grill peaches for a great
2 cups sliced peaches (grill peaches for a great twist on flavor)
2 cups grape tomatoes ¼ cup thin sliced red onions
¼ cup thin sliced red onions
1 cup basil leaves sliced
1 avocado sliced ½ cup mozzarella cheese
½ cup mozzarella cheese
Ingredients
1 cup peaches, sliced ¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar (or white balsamic)
2 tablespoons honey
Pinch sea salt
2-3 tablespoons water, added last and as needed to thin
Instructions
Add peaches, olive oil, vinegar, honey, and salt to a blender or small food processor.
Blend until smooth.
Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, as needed to thin (this will depend on how juicy your peaches are and your preference on how thick/creamy you want your salad dressing).
Store in fridge!
**If you wish to add a protein, grilled shrimp or grilled chicken works well with the salad.