Definition

Noun: A molded salad is a type of salad where ingredients like meats, vegetables, or fruits are set and served in a solidified, molded form, typically using gelatin as a binding agent.

Usage

This term specifically refers to the prepared dish itself. It is a compound noun where "molded" describes the form and preparation method of the "salad." * The potluck featured a classic molded salad with cranberries and walnuts. * For a refreshing summer side, she prepared a molded salad with lime gelatin and shredded carrots.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Culinary Context: Molded salads were particularly popular in mid-20th-century American cuisine. They are often associated with specific cultural or holiday meals.
  • The cookbook from the 1950s has an entire chapter dedicated to molded salads.

Variants and Related Words

• Gelatin Salad: A more direct synonym focusing on the primary ingredient.
• Jell-O Salad (Trademark): A common informal term in American English, using a popular brand name for flavored gelatin.
• Aspic: A savory dish where ingredients are set in a gelatin made from meat stock, often considered a more refined or specific type of molded salad.

Synonyms

• Gelatin salad
• Congealed salad (regional, chiefly Southern US)

Related Phrases

• Set in a mold: The action of preparing such a salad.
  • The mixture must chill for several hours to set in a mold.

Noun

1. salad of meats or vegetables in gelatin