While dining out and looking over several different menus, you come across the "salads" section. Is salad really considered a meal? I always thought of salad as a part of the meal, a side, so-to-speak. Some restaurants actually do have huge salad that can make quite the meal for one person. But there is one thing that I've always wondered. Why is it that in almost every menu I've looked at there has been an "Asian" or "Oriental" salad with almonds in it? What is the correlation that people think exists is between an Asian or Oriental salad and almonds?
Being Japanese, I'm pretty familiar with a lot of the cuisine they have in Japan. Of course, I'm not an expert when it comes to ALL Asian cuisine, but in all honesty, why is it that almonds are always included in an Oriental salad? Not once do I remember my mother putting almonds in any of the dishes she prepared for me growing up, especially not in the salad. If it's Thai, I understand the peanuts, and even in Chinese food, there are peanuts in the wonderful Kung Pao chicken dishes I've eaten. So why aren't there more Asian salads with peanuts in them?
Here is my theory. And remember, this is just a theory from a petite little Japanese gal. Maybe the reason for including almonds in the salad is because many Asians or Orientals (whichever politically correct phrase you prefer) have almond-shaped eyes. I can picture the cook thinking in his/her mind, "What would be good to put in an Oriental salad? Almonds! Asians have almond-shaped eyes, so that is pretty Asian-ish right?"
Out of all the restaurants I've been to, I think I remember only one menu that didn't have an Oriental salad that didn't include almonds. If it's not mandarin oranges, it's almonds. But don't worry, no offense taken if that's what the basis behind this oh-so-healthy nut being included in Asian salads. Maybe it was all subconscious on the chef's part. It's really too bad I'm allergic to almonds.
So while you're out there dining in a fine restaurant and decide to eat an Asian salad, I'm sure you may look at the almonds mixed in with the greens in a whole different light. Just try not to think of them as actual Oriental eyes staring at you on that fork as you take a big bite.
Jeanine is a dedicated gardener, DIY-er, and writer. She writes about home improvement, decor, landscaping, and crafting among other things and loves restoring old homes and gardening. She lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three daughters.
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Being Japanese, I'm pretty familiar with a lot of the cuisine they have in Japan. Of course, I'm not an expert when it comes to ALL Asian cuisine, but in all honesty, why is it that almonds are always included in an Oriental salad? Not once do I remember my mother putting almonds in any of the dishes she prepared for me growing up, especially not in the salad. If it's Thai, I understand the peanuts, and even in Chinese food, there are peanuts in the wonderful Kung Pao chicken dishes I've eaten. So why aren't there more Asian salads with peanuts in them?
Here is my theory. And remember, this is just a theory from a petite little Japanese gal. Maybe the reason for including almonds in the salad is because many Asians or Orientals (whichever politically correct phrase you prefer) have almond-shaped eyes. I can picture the cook thinking in his/her mind, "What would be good to put in an Oriental salad? Almonds! Asians have almond-shaped eyes, so that is pretty Asian-ish right?"
Out of all the restaurants I've been to, I think I remember only one menu that didn't have an Oriental salad that didn't include almonds. If it's not mandarin oranges, it's almonds. But don't worry, no offense taken if that's what the basis behind this oh-so-healthy nut being included in Asian salads. Maybe it was all subconscious on the chef's part. It's really too bad I'm allergic to almonds.
So while you're out there dining in a fine restaurant and decide to eat an Asian salad, I'm sure you may look at the almonds mixed in with the greens in a whole different light. Just try not to think of them as actual Oriental eyes staring at you on that fork as you take a big bite.
Jeanine is a dedicated gardener, DIY-er, and writer. She writes about home improvement, decor, landscaping, and crafting among other things and loves restoring old homes and gardening. She lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three daughters.
To continue please CLICK HERE