There are a few things, in my mind, that truly make a salad. One is the dressing, I think this is a given. It's what pulls all the ingredients together. Then there's the cheese, I can't think of the last salad (coleslaw doesn't count) I ate that didn't have cheese in it. And then you'll need to top it with a crispy crunchy crouton, just like these Homemade Texas Toast Croutons.