5 Tools for Preparing the Perfect Summer Salad

Nobody likes soggy lettuce, so a salad spinner is an essential piece of kit for any salad lover. But did you know that this humble gadget can do much more than ensure your leafy greens are dinner-ready?

If you’re a fan of pasta salads, give your pasta shells or twists a quick run through the salad spinner, so your dressing doesn’t get watered down - it’s a great tip for hot spaghetti dishes, too. Also, veggies like broccoli and cauliflower can hide dirt in those nooks and crannies, so give them a quick spin to ensure they’re entirely grit-free before use.

If you love a bean salad, the spinner makes short work of draining and drying all your pulses. And don’t forget your fruit salad - a gentle spin after washing berries and other soft fruits will have them dry and ready for use without bruising.

A classic green salad is cool and refreshing on a blistering hot day. However, blunt knives can be difficult to handle, and leave you with torn leaves and scraggly veggies.

If you want to elevate your salad presentation without causing the ingredients to wilt or look messy, you need a Tomato & Veg Knife.

It might look like only a serrated knife, but this little tool is 3 in 1, letting you cut and spear cheese, or slice tomatoes and delicate vegetables with ease.

Serrated tomato & veg knives are ideal for use with little gem and cos lettuces - just place the knife blade on the lettuce and then gently saw backwards and forwards until you’ve got what you need for your summer salad!

A salad is only as good as its dressing, and homemade dressings are a tasty option. Preparing your own dressing means you have complete control over the ingredients, making them a healthier – and cheaper – option than shop-bought dressings.

Using a measuring jug is an excellent idea if you’re a summer salad addict.  You can easily whisk up your favourite in a flash, then safely store any leftovers in the fridge.

Whatever you’re prepping, a bamboo cutting board is absolutely essential. This all-purpose kitchen accessory is ideal for essential salad prep tasks such as cutting avocados, slicing tomatoes and shredding cucumber.

Bamboo is a popular choice for chopping boards thanks to the wood’s naturally antibacterial qualities. Plus, our bamboo chopping boards are crafted from a sustainable source and will last a lifetime with regular oiling

If you love the look and feel of a wooden chopping board but don’t like the way it can dull your knives, bamboo is a perfect alternative. It’s kind on knife blades, more durable and scratch resistant than hardwood, and lightweight and easy to handle. Once you’ve made short work of prepping your salad ingredients, your bamboo cutting board is easier to clean and won’t warp or crack too!

A box grater is your friend if you love coleslaw but don’t want to spend hours slicing and shredding. It makes short work of carrots and other veggies that you can layer up in a beautiful rainbow salad. The grater’s coarse blade is perfect for grating tomatoes to spread on a slice of sourdough for a quick bruschetta.

Try the slicer blade for perfect paper-thin radish slices and courgette ribbons – an impressive addition to any salad!

You can also use the fine grater to add a dusting of parmesan to a Caesar salad or some citrus rind for a fresh and irresistible zing. And don’t forget to use the small grater to finely shred ginger and garlic for an Asian-style dressing!