Salads are as versatile a food as I can imagine. From starter to main dish to dessert, salads provide such opportunity for experimentation. The crisp greens of leafy lettuce, spinach, radicchio, or maybe curly endive are made more delicious still by the addition of cantaloupe cut into cubes, or plump red grapes or apple wedges providing a surprising contrast to the usual carrot, cucumber and celery.

One of my own favorite salads is assembled with crisp baby spinach leaves, washed then patted dry, mandarin orange segments sprinkled throughout, and a scattering of slivered almonds over the top with a dressing of honeyed vinaigrette with toasted sesame seeds. Easy, simple and delicious served with a home made Quiche Lorraine or Spinach Quiche.

There are so many wonderful hearty dinner salads from the everything-in-your-kitchen Cobb salad, to Indian Coronation Chicken, to hot potato salad with ham, or a taco salad complete with Mexican seasoned ground beef served up in a taco shell bowl. There are many versions of turkey salad fit for a special occasion, including my own favorite, using walnuts, red and green grapes, chopped celery, finely diced raddish, minced garlic and roasted turkey diced into bite sized pieces, all mixed together in a dressing of sour cream combined with a dollop of mayo, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, a bit of fresh dill, salt and pepper. Served in cucumber boats, this is always a hit at parties.

As for salad at dessert, I always think of the many Jello based salads that seem to have graced every family gathering for enerations. Layered Jellos, using cream and fruit and looking for all the world like jeweled centerpieces seemed to be the focal point of birthday feasts and Forth of July pi nics alike. English Trifle, both the Sherried versions and the orange liqueur laced variety are delicious and beautiful as well. Even something as simple as a dish of fruit salad can become extraordinary with a bit of inventiveness. Just add a few pine nuts, a single drop of Tabasco (yes, Tabasco) a spoonful of honey mixed with your favorite liqueur and Wow!

Whatever combination of ingredients you might assemble, however it might be served, salad is always a welcome addition to any meal. Some might even consider a meal incomplete without a healthy serving of crisp and crunchy salad. My own Patrick kept a garden in the summers, often finding his produce so irresistible that he ate as he picked, having his salad al fresco! Meander through our garden of memories with us, you might be surprised at what you find. -- Carol

PHYLLIS' EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK POTATO SALAD STUFF

Mix everything together and refrigerate overnight to let the flavors mingle. Serves: an Army.

Contributed by The Great Phyllisimo: I usually make this when invited to a large gathering and almost always end up taking home an empty bowl.