Salad Days in Prague

In a discussion of Czechs and salads, two varieties, of salads not Czechs, immediately come to mind: bramborový and šopský, both beloved, though not exactly crisp and leafy. If greens are important to your idea of a salad, you’ll be happy to know that several lunch spots that specialize in tossed salads have recently opened in Prague, while kale, spinach, chard, and other fresh greens have become easier than ever to find at farm markets and in CSA boxes.

Veronika Mouchová, one of the founders of Freshbedýnky, a Prague-based organic produce delivery service, tells us why: “More and more people have started thinking about their diet and searching for new healthy recipes.” Mouchová adds that “Anyone can prepare a salad, the amazing thing about them is that you can mix almost anything in your salad bowl and it will be delicious.”

Salads at your service

Chop’d  
Sokolovská 79, Karlin

Opened this past January, Chop’d, by its own estimation, is the “First restaurant specializing in salads in Prague.” Customized salads (69-89 CZ) come with a choice of greens (arugula, mesclun, Romaine, iceberg), vegetables (chose up to four; after that extra are 12 CZK a serving), cheeses (goat, Parmesan, etc. starting at 20 CZK), meats (chicken, turkey, beef, ham, steak, starting at 20 CZK) and “special” add-ins like walnuts and croutons for 12 CZK. Dressing is included in the price of salad and ranges from traditional favorites (balsamic, blue cheese) to the more daring (yogurt wasabi with ginger) and even domestic (tvaroh with scallions and garlic). Hand-wringing types will enjoy the less-involved menu of salad classics (Caesar, tuna, turkey, Cobb) with dressing pairings.

www.chopd.cz

Mangaloo Salaterie
OC Nový Smíchov, OC Černý Most (new)

Likewise, Mangaloo declares it’s own salaterie as a “totally new concept of fast food.” These are the kinds of salads you might throw together at home and bring to work if you actually had time: greens, hunks of meat, rough-chopped veg, all served with a side of crusty bread. Similar to Chop’d your choice of ingredients are tossed with greens (Mangaloo’s is a mix of lollo biando, lollo rossa, romaine, and baby spinach) or you can select one of their own creations. I tried the grilled chicken and melon with light raspberry dressing (109 CZK) while admiring the other specials, strawberry and gorgonzola (105 CZK), shrimp and mango (119 CZK).

www.salaterie.cz

Frutapura
Rámova 739/1, Old Town
This upscale green grocer offers a carefully curated selection of imported organic fruits and vegetables as well as Italian dry goods, olive oils, vinegars, jams, truffles, spices, and olives. But what caught my eye when I came across their web site were the artfully photographed greens, great purple knots of Italian radicchio, tangles of lettuce frisee, and wild greens so wild I couldn’t name them. The shop’s promise to “Prepare, cut, portion and wash your fruits and vegetables per your wishes” sounded interesting as well. But on a recent visit the selection of greens seemed quite small and there was a good deal of confusion when I requested that my bibb lettuce (35 CZK), lettuce frisee (45 CZK), and arugula (50 CZK) be washed and chopped to go. Eventually my order was packaged up in two plastic salad bowls. I ate one entire bowl of some of the freshest lettuce I have ever had with dinner that night and the other bowl kept for almost a week of dinners. If those bags of supermarket lettuce scare you, treat yourself to the Frutapura experience.

www.frutapura.cz

4 super salad recipes

Freshbedýnky is a fresh organic grocery delivery service with a dedicated lettuce mania section (they also offer fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy, and baked goods). Here, they have prepared salad recipes you can make at home but they will also wash, chop, and prepare your greens for delivery if you wish. The ingredients featured in these recipes can be ordered and conveniently delivered in one of their numerous veggie boxes.
 

Easy kale salad with tahini dressing

1 bunch of kale
Handful of grated carrot
1 ripe avocado
1 small red onion
3 tbsp sesame seeds

For the dressing:
3 tbsp tahini
2 tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp lemon juice
Chilli powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste

Easy kale salad with tahini dressing

Melon and prosciutto salad

2 varieties of sugar melon (Canary, Cantaloupe, Galia…)
100g prosciutto crudo
50g arugula
Olive oil
Balsamic vinegar
Lemon juice

Melon and prosciutto salad

Herb zucchini salad

2 zucchinis (preferably of 2 colors)
1 fresh red chilli pepper
2 tbsp lemon juice
Olive oil
1 handful of fresh herbs – basil, cilantro, parsley, etc.

Herb zucchini salad

Jerusalem artichoke salad with hazelnuts

80g hazelnuts
500g jerusalem artichokes
4 tbsp olive oil
Thyme
Lemon juice
80g goat cheese
Salad leaves (preferably iceberg lettuce)
Salt and pepper

Jerusalem artichoke salad with hazelnuts

Keep lettuce fresh – longer

Mouchová offers these suggestions when preparing greens for home use:

Special thanks to Freshbedynky for their exclusive recipe development and food photography for Expats.cz.