Yesterday, I ate “Life-changing Salad.” The recipe wandered into my Instagram feed late one sleepless night last week. I thought I’d taken a screenshot of the ingredients; but the next morning when I scrolled through my camera roll, I realized I must have dozed off without getting the pic. I did, however, remember the promising name of the salad, and a quick Google search brought it all back within my reach. I was determined to give it a try.
“Baked by Melissa,” the original poster, claims the salad is the reason she married her husband. Apparently, his mother made the salad when “Baked by Melissa” first had dinner with her future husband’s family. One bite, and she was ready to commit. I couldn’t think of a food that cemented my relationship with my husband; but I do remember I was drawn to the second-hand, genuine leather, Eddie Bauer satchel he carried in lieu of a briefcase. We still have that satchel, tucked away on a shelf in the storage room. More than three decades later, I still get misty-eyed when I see it. There was something that melted my heart when I saw my handsome colleague (who would soon become my husband) carefully stacking file folders full of student work into his leather teacher bag to carry home to grade. That well-worn satchel, slung over his shoulder, seemed to say, “Here is a man who is organized and dependable and classically stylish.” The satchel spoke truth and then some, and we’ll be celebrating our 30th anniversary in June!
Anyway, back to “Baked by Melissa.” The recipe was simple, which in itself, can be life-changing. I love salads, but I don’t like to chop. This salad only had one ingredient that required a knife – the lettuce. “Baked by Melissa” recommended iceberg; but I changed it up a little with romaine. Hopefully iceberg wasn’t the only life-changing ingredient. After chopping up the romaine, I followed “Baked by Melissa’s” directions. Unfortunately, I couldn’t follow them to the letter because “Baked by Melissa” did not write the directions down. Instead, she made a reel in which she shows the viewer how to make the salad. This means that I had to watch “Baked by Melissa” make the salad at least six times in order to figure out the exact ingredients and the amounts of each.
“Baked by Melissa” suggests “two circles” of EVOO (which means to kind of pour the olive oil around the inside of the salad bowl a couple of times), salt (which she poured into the palm of her hand and described as “about the size of a flat quarter”), the juice of one lemon (but she only showed herself squeezing half the lemon onto the lettuce, and half the lemon was enough), one clove of garlic (minced – I used the kind in a jar, but she used a fresh clove on a little planer which looked like it could get your fingertips if you weren’t extra careful), pepper “to your liking,” and a “splash of white vin.” She calls vinegar “vin.” I love vinegar, but we’ve never been on a nickname basis.
Once all the ingredients are added, “Baked by Melissa” says to stir and stir and stir until the garlic is good and distributed. Then she suggests a variety of protein toppings. I chose salami and pepperoni, which she did not suggest, and which meant that I needed to get the knife back out.
I also added parmesan cheese, the fancy kind that’s shaved in little flat rectangles and comes in a tub instead of a bag.
“Life-changing Salad” is delicious; and I guess it did change my life because I didn’t have an idea for a slice for today…but then, after making and eating the salad, I did.
Also, it made me think that maybe I should create an Instagram reel titled “Life-changing Satchel” because that old Eddie Bauer book bag changed my life for the better.
28 responses to “Life-changing Salad”
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I know about Baked by Melissa’s cupcakes, but I didn’t know she had a life-changing salad recipe. If I can use pre-bagged, pre-washed lettuce, then I love making salads. Somehow, I can never get my lettuce dry enough when I wash it (and use a salad spinner) myself.
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I definitely need to check out the cupcakes! The salad was so good! I used triple-washed romaine.
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I liked the satchel story a lot! Better than a little of Instagram content. Young girls out there need to know they should be looking for someone dependable in addition to being stylish!
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When my younger son was in elementary school, he begged to carry his Dad’s old satchel. It was a pretty adorable sight!
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“She calls vinegar “vin.” I love vinegar, but we’ve never been on a nickname basis.” This line made me chuckle.
The satchel story gave me that warm and fuzzy feeling. I would love to read more about it.-
I don’t think I’m cool enough to call vinegar “vin.” Haha! That satchel has become a sort of family heirloom.
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Lori, what a great way to show the thought patterns and pathways the mind takes when we think of our own stories and all they bring to mind from the common threads of others. I like that you found the salad and can make it. It’s so sweet that you kept the satchel that stole your heart and warmed your feelings.
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Our first date was to a book warehouse so I could help my future husband select books for his classroom library. He taught middle school math at the time. He thinks it’s crazy and funny that that old satchel was one of the first things that caught my eye.
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Lori, I love the way you tied this altogether and kept me reading to learn more about making a life changing salad. And I love your idea to come up with your own ‘Life Changing Satchel’…perhaps filled with your favorite poems and stories that hold special meaning.
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Thank you! That satchel does hold special memories for us since my younger son, after hearing that it was one of the first things I noticed about his dad, insisted on carrying it to and from elementary school!
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I choose your piece because your ideas seemed so unrelated. In just few paragraphs, it all came together. All over a salad and a satchel. Fun!
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Thank you, Stephanie! I was originally planning on writing about the salad, but then I started thinking about how a salad led her to her husband and I remembered how the satchel drew me to mine!
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I love this post! You have such a humorous and down-to-earth response to the salad recipe. I love how you tied in the satchel and it got me thinking about what drew me to my (at that time) future husband. I also want to try the salad recipe now.
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The salad is really good, Becky! I ate it for lunch again today. My older son stopped by and gave it a try, and he gave it two thumbs up as well. thank you for reading my slice today!
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This is a beautifully crafted post! Your voice, those clever asides, and the tenderness towards an object that carries such a story. Thirty years together is worth celebrating!
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Thank you, Trish! We just made our beach reservations today. We’ll have to wait until July, though, because my husband (now an elementary principal) retires July 1st.
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Your excellent description of the “Life Changing Salad” was amazing, but I’m not sure it would be my favorite. But your story… THAT was fantastic. So much of your voice and your thoughts came through and made me smile and relate. I do hope you’ll use those traits when you write your satchel story – can’t wait for that!
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Thank you so much! I will have to include, in my satchel story, that it was damaged with a leaking red Sharpie. Still, my younger son insisted on carrying his books in it when he was in elementary school. It looked so huge on his little shoulder!
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Oh, I really enjoyed this. From being too sleepy to actually take the photo you thought you took, to my favorite line, “Hopefully iceberg wasn’t the only life-changing ingredient. ” i also think combining the salad thoughts with the satchel thoughts really added depth to your piece.
PS dont you find it annoying when you have to watch the video to get the recipe? I do.-
Thanks, Fran! I definitely prefer a written recipe. I struggle to get all the info the first time through in those reels.
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Lori,
Love both the humor and love for your husband that shine throughout your slice.
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Thank you, Sharon! I read it to my husband, and he said he just got a small mention…that it was really about the salad. 🙂 I guess I am actually going to have to do the Instagram reel.
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Lori, love, love this sweet Slice. You are right, that was a life-changing salad, and this was a mentor post on how to write a Slice of Life. Humor, joy, sidebars, all of it is just so good. Thanks!
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Thank you, Denise! I really appreciate your comments. My husband thought I should have focused more on him and less on the salad. LOL
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Lori,
LOL! “We’ve never been on a first-name basis.” That salad sounds good, and I’m glad you wrote instructions. I don’t like watching cooking reels. I’m not a repeat kind of viewer. Yes, the satchel is more life-changing than the salad. Hope you’re going something special for your anniversary.-
Thank you, Glenda! We’re going to the beach for our anniversary, but we have to wait until July. Joey retires July 1st from his elementary principal position.
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Thank you for this slice as scrolling down through extraneous photos and text, much less video, is annoying to someone who likes her recipes concise in a bulleted list followed by a numbered list. This recipe sounds incredible!
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Thanks, Jackie! I agree. I either have to rewatch the videos numerous times or try to pause them and write down the ingredients and amounts. I’d much rather have it written out!
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