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Men and salads

(113 Posts)
Aveline Fri 29-May-26 07:11:49

Is it just my DH who's not a fan of salads? I'm so fed up with it. In this hot weather I'm enjoying delicious crisp, nutty, juicy, tasty salads of all sorts. Often I'll have cold salmon as a base but use other things too. However, DH is always miserable if it's not hot and features lots of potatoes. Last night he made himself a big bowl of lentil soup despite the loaded salad nicoise I had for him. Are all men like this?

Nanny27 Sun 31-May-26 14:52:10

We eat a lot of different salads but I don't really like lettuce so rarely include it in a salad. Red cabbage thinly sliced with a little onion, some apple, radishes a few nuts perhaps a handful of raisins stored around with a lovely dressing or a little Greek yogurt. Served with crusty bread.

Nanny27 Sun 31-May-26 14:52:35

Stirred not stored

Nannapat1 Sun 31-May-26 14:52:56

We have salads of various types with new potatoes and either meat or fish. Surely the cold salad vegetables just take the place of hot cooked vegetables?
My DH loves salads btw.

NannieChicken Sun 31-May-26 14:54:05

My husband loves a salad but he does like a bit of pasta, rice or couscous with it.
I'm fortunate that he is not a fussy eater in any way shape or form!

Jules777 Sun 31-May-26 15:07:59

My late dear old Dad, may he RIP, was brilliant at making tasty salads, much more skilled and adventurous than our mother, (who wasn't really a fan) and he especially loved to use unusual ingredients too. A lot of this stuff we grew in our back garden (except for the raisins of course.) He lived to the great age of 92 years and eleven and three quarter months. I'm sure his diet was a factor in his longevity.

Soozikinzi Sun 31-May-26 15:09:42

My DH loves salands probably more than I do . He does likes those little boiled potatoes with it or a jacket is so easy these days microwave 5 mins spray and then air fry 5 mins ? No trouble really .

Kitty55 Sun 31-May-26 15:21:40

Aveline
So upsetting for you. After years of training and encouragement my DH will eat one, he even made himself one last week. As long as you enjoy yours he can take care of himself.

GRAMERCY Sun 31-May-26 15:23:38

Salad isn't really good for you. Have a big, juicy steak instead.

Lemonred Sun 31-May-26 15:28:26

Aveline

Is it just my DH who's not a fan of salads? I'm so fed up with it. In this hot weather I'm enjoying delicious crisp, nutty, juicy, tasty salads of all sorts. Often I'll have cold salmon as a base but use other things too. However, DH is always miserable if it's not hot and features lots of potatoes. Last night he made himself a big bowl of lentil soup despite the loaded salad nicoise I had for him. Are all men like this?

This is my husband to a T.
I love colourful salads of all sorts, his food is brown and beige with potatoes. Has to be hot, and is apparently inedible without gravy or white sauce!
I’m mostly vegetarian, he’s the polar opposite!

Tenko Sun 31-May-26 15:29:05

My DH loves salads and would prefer salad to veggies. I chop the lettuce and other ingredients. And add chicken , cheese , tuna or salmon for protein and add rice , couscous , bulgar wheat or potatoes for bulk . When I was working I’d prep salads the night before and take a dressing in a herb bottle .i also find couscous and bulgar wheat tastes better the next day as all the flavours infuse .

Norah Sun 31-May-26 15:53:40

Macaydia

Salads are not a main meal.

Please explain "Main Meal"?

Norah Sun 31-May-26 15:56:54

ottolenghi.co.uk/pages/recipes/farro-roasted-red-pepper-salad

This is a nice salad. We don't eat feta and add a bit of quinoa.

izzibear Sun 31-May-26 16:09:31

Paddyann54 I got rid of my T2 diabetes without having to abandon all carbs entirely - I don't eat pasta but small amounts of wholegrain rice and a few potatoes are fine - I guess we're all different with it though!

poppysmum Sun 31-May-26 16:24:59

i love it when I have salads in restaurants etc. I have no idea what to do with making a salad. I am vegan but love things like seeds etc i think its how men are brought up to answer the question

dogsmother Sun 31-May-26 16:33:51

It seems to me that everyone’s definition of a salad maybe different. I’m not fond of many lettuces but I do love a lot of different salads, from Rice and quinoa to tomato and cucumber and as others have said decent home made dressings.

Frenchgalinspain Sun 31-May-26 17:27:15

My Hubs loves salads of all types. We are big fans and I prepare rather adventurous varied and beautiful looking salads with extraordinary Extra virgin olive oil and Balsamic Italian Aged Vinegar or Cesar Dressing or Blue Cheese Dressing or a Greek Yogurt Dressing and / or a Pitahaya Mexican or Thai fruit salad with Summer fruits.

I have quite a collection of cookbooks and so I prepare our menus for lunch.

Today, I prepared Greek Salads and they were lovely ..

We also love a traditional egg salad / tuna salad / prawn salad / Russian Salad - The Olivier Salad created by Chef Olivier from Belgium in 1846 when he went to cook for the Kremlin and had developed this receipe from Paris.

We also love a divine Chicken Salad and also a Traditional Cesar Salad !!

And a Caprese !!! With fresh Mozzarella di Bufala or Burrata.

Frenchgalinspain Sun 31-May-26 17:34:21

Another beautiful lunch is traditional chickpea Hummus, Dolmades, Taramalata, Beetroot Hummus, Aubergine & tahine (mezze from Greece & Lebanon ) with oven warmed Pita, assorted breads and bread sticks ..

Another could be Tabbouleh / a traditional French Spinach Salad ..

So many !!!!!!!!!!!!

Lallylou Sun 31-May-26 17:35:04

Not all but several I'd say 😘

Dillon243 Sun 31-May-26 19:54:35

My DH will not eat salad at all. He does all the cooking and is a meat and potatoes/rice/pasta man. The fact it is summer weather makes no difference to him. He is a very good cook though and cooks our evening meal from scratch every day. If I want additional veg I cook it myself. Often I have a bowl of crisp lettuce with salad dressing - one of my absolute favourite foods! My mum's idea of salad was also lettuce and salad dressing so I grew up with this. We had roast lamb today.

WithNobsOnIt Sun 31-May-26 20:32:34

My mouth waters at some of the suggestions for lovely salads mentioned on this post.

As for men and salads. A lot of men stay at their 7 year old School Dinner stage of calling any salad.
" I'm not eating that rabbit food "
It a mark of loyalty to the collective manhood. Rights of Passage

If you have one of these men at home. Let them be. Doubt it they will change.

It's them who are missing out.

Enjoy Ladies

👍🥦🫛🥬🫑🍎🥒🫒🥗

🐰👎🥇

JPB123 Sun 31-May-26 20:42:49

We love steak and salad….yummy!

Mojack26 Sun 31-May-26 20:45:45

I'm with your husband! Salads are ok, for a light lunch, but prefer a hot meal in the evening

SheepyIzzy Sun 31-May-26 21:59:38

Aveline

In this weather a roast is unimaginable! I'll get him a few ready made curries that he can microwave if a salad is, somehow, not enough.

We'll eat cooked dinner whatever the weather, it's what we like. Took dogs to vets On Tuesday, boy was it hot, normally 1 hr each way, this time, diversions galore, extra half hour getting home, mum giving them water all the way back, 1 would drink, Chihuahua wouldn't, (must be the Mexican blood way way way back in her), got home 1.30pm, fed dogs, put our dinner out, slow cooker curry!

FranP Sun 31-May-26 22:50:53

My DH insists on a full Sunday dinner at lunchtime whatever the weather. He gets cross because I make it for him and don't eat it.
He calls salad rabbit food and none of the men in my family will eat it, but then they do not like rice or pasta either - bread and potatoes & meat with scant veg if I insist.

Ilovedogs22 Mon 01-Jun-26 11:07:52

Mr I love dog's salads are a work of art! He makes one every evening during this warmer weather.
Thèy do look lovely but they are increasingly becoming a buffet for one!
I however, am a unapologetic salad- doggèr & I only really like a carby- potato salad with shed-loads of mayonnaise on the top & a noggy of nice French bread on the side.
I have never really quite honestly understood the appeal of a salad but chopped cucumber is nice is my hummus on a hot day. Actually, the best addition to any salad is a lovely bit of Quiche.