Do not be afraid to use red pepper in salads. It is wholesome and often prevents them from being indigestible.
Salads should not be mixed any longer before serving than absolutely necessary.
Onions should be sliced and soaked at least one hour in ice water before using for salads. They are milder and not so apt to disagree with one. Cucumbers should be sliced thinly and crisped in ice water one hour before eating. It makes them more wholesome.
Let the hands come in contact with salads as little as possible. Use fork and spoon for mixing dressings and tossing salads together. When convenient make French dressing and mix salad at the table.
A small lump of ice put into French dressing while being made keeps it cool and makes it milder.
A tiny pinch of sugar improves most salads.
The secret of making mayonnaise that will not curdle is in using perfectly fresh eggs and cold, pure olive oil. Care and judgment is also needed; materials differ and have to be used accordingly. Stir in one direction.
It is best not to use silver or metal utensil in making dressing or in mixing salads. The writer uses an orange wood fork and spoon. The wood is hard and does not discolor.
A heavy white porcelain bowl holding about one quart is a convenient size in which to mix mayonnaise.
Squeeze lemon and strain juice before beginning mayonnaise.