About Jana – the Original Salad Queen
Why Salad?
Hi, I’m Jana, and yes, it’s pronounced Ya-na! Welcome to my blog! If you enjoy the endless possibilities of a salad, or even if you never really thought about it, you’ve come to the right place! My nickname was always Jana Salatana – or in English, the Salad Queen! I’ve been obsessed with creating and eating gourmet salads since I was a young girl!
The nickname was given to me by my dad, as I always loved salads since I was about 4 years old. Today, I am a senior executive in a healthcare technology company, wife, mom, and enthusiastic amateur chef at home. I Started this blog in order to spotlight what I find to be the worlds most underrated dish – the salad and its best pairings!
I’ve been fortunate enough to have lived and traveled many countries. These experiences have not only influenced, but enriched my taste buds as well as the kind of meals I prepare at home. I was born in the magnificent city of Sofia, Bulgaria, and spent may years living between Bulgaria, Austria, and Switzerland. As of today, I call South Florida home, which is where my husband and I settled a few years back.
How did I get here?
My cooking is largely influenced by my personal experiences while traveling throughout Europe, the U.S., and the Caribbean. I’ve been lucky to taste my way around the world, and kept the flavors I truly love to add to my everyday meals.
You should know, you can find me munching on a leaf of romaine or a radish at any moment in time in my kitchen. When I don’t know what to make for dinner, the answer usually seems to remain the same – salad!
I try to feed my family healthy, organic, and home-made meals (even home grown when possible) – which sometimes does become challenging with a young child in the house, and yet, somehow, the salad always sneaks its way onto the dinner table – whether it takes on the form of a middle eastern couscous based meal, or simple, lettuce based, crunchy goodness!
I believe salads offer endless possibilities of combining flavors and textures from different cuisines. The best part is – you can try so many different combinations without ruining the dish and you can pair it with literally anything! Not to mention, a gourmet salad can truly impress your guests whenever you are hosting family or friends. My goal is to share as much as I can from my salad recipes and other dishes I pair with them, along with the stories that accompany them. If I am able to share some kitchen hacks, as well as tips and tricks on how to pick out the right ingredients to create mind-blowing gourmet salads, soups, and other sides that will leave you wanting more – well, then I’ve won!
I hope you enjoy my content! I’d love to hear from you whether you have feedback or suggestions for a new recipe!
Bon appetite! – Jana
