Make salads taste as good as Waitrose

[newyorkbreakfast]

I randomly bought a butternut squash, giant couscous, feta and herb salad to go. I couldn't get over how delicious it was. Was it the dressing? I only ever make my own lunches to save money and avoid plastic waste.
How can I make them taste as good as this? I'm so bored with my French vinaigrette.

Salt is probably the difference, plus more dressing to ingredients ratio.

Really @gogohm, you don't think there's a magic twist to the dressing?

Have you had a look at the ingredients list?? It's usually that they've added things you'd hold back on at home to be 'healthy' - salt, oil, sugar, butter. Fat in whatever form. More fresh ingredients than you'd put in a salad at home because they use them in greater volume - herbs, spices etc

Link us the exact product op. I found a similar one but without Feta. It had maple syrup AND sugar in so of course it's delicious

I have looked and looked but can't find the exact one. It was from M&S: butternut squash cubes, giant couscous, herbs and a sweetish dressing.
A bit like https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/good-to-go-avocado-feta-rice-salad/550210-581276-581277this sort of thing they're all nicer than my lentil salads.

That link is not working. Let me try again...

Not this exact one but similar. I'd like to recreate: www.ocado.com/products/m-s-plant-kitchen-nutty-super-wholefood-salad-521900011

Well that's why I couldn't find it, you said Waitrose! :D

Anyway in that salad you linked to look at all those ingredients. If you want something as nice at home you need a lot of stuff!!

Cannellini Bean and Sesame Tahini Dip (21%) (Cannellini Beans, Water, Tahini (Sesame Seed Paste), Lemon Juice, Garlic Purée, Salt, Rapeseed Oil), Cooked Quinoa (16%) (Water, Quinoa Seeds), Edamame Soybeans (14%), Black Beans, Cooked Spelt (Water, Spelt (Wheat contains Gluten)), Soy and Ginger Dressing (7%), Broccoli, Carrots, Green Beans, Rocket, Peanuts (1.5%), Pumpkin Seeds, Almonds, Pistachio Nuts, Coriander, Lemon Juice, Soy and Ginger Dressing contains Sunflower Oil, Sugar, Concentrated Apple Juice, Ginger Purée, Rice Vinegar, White Wine Vinegar, Salt, Lime Juice, Concentrated Pomegranate Juice, Red Wine Vinegar, Cornflour, Soybeans, Wheat (contains Gluten), Red Chilli Purée, Garlic Purée

Tahini and miso paste in the dressing. Totally brilliant.

Thank you, never thought of tahini / miso. It's very salty isn't it?

@tucked I just wonder if that breadth of ingredients has such an impact on flavour, or if there are some other quick ideas like the tahini and miso.

Well it's the breadth and what they're using yes. At home you might use a bit of balsamic vinegar and oil - in this one they've made up a ginger dressing with half a dozen ingredients. Buy a salad recipe book. I have a fair few there are plenty about and find some good dressings to make

I was going to say salt too. It will be the high salt content and probably sugar too.

@newyorkbreakfast

Thank you, never thought of tahini / miso. It's very salty isn't it?

Tahini isn't, as it is a sesame seed paste, though manufacturers might add salt. Miso definitely is.

Roasting the vegetables. Garlic (fresh) and lemon juice, vinegar too.

You need a good dressing. I tried a Mary Berry one from Waitrose and it certainly lifted the salad. I can never make a decent vinaigrette at home

I agree Salt. I have a friend who owns a high end restaurant and he says we would absolutely never use the amount of salt and fat in a home recipe.

Also a lot of supermarket prepared foods use MSG as a flavour enhancer, I think the new less controversial name is Umami.

@artquejtion

I agree Salt. I have a friend who owns a high end restaurant and he says we would absolutely never use the amount of salt and fat in a home recipe.

Also a lot of supermarket prepared foods use MSG as a flavour enhancer, I think the new less controversial name is Umami.

Also sold as liquid seasoning. It's brilliant.

The magic taste triangle of salt, sugar and fat. Mmmm

You need the odyssea pomegranate molasses syrup. Sweet yet sharp and perfect for all salads

Salt but also umami savouriness. I found it here, it genuinely makes it taste like a restaurant/shop salad www.gousto.co.uk/cookbook/vegan-recipes/roasted-squash-grain-bowl-miso-tahini-dressing

Agree on the pomegranate molasses too (not in the same dressing, but in a vinaigrette)

To lift a vinaigrette add mustard and honey, the oil virgin olive, vinegar either sherry or a good cider vinegar, sea salt
Shake in a jar, it should be creamy..

Thank you all. I'm going to give these new flavours a go. It seems to be that salt and sweeteners are the key thing.