I’m a salad-convert. I still remember being shocked when I ate berries and fresh green beans in a salad. I felt rebellious for breaking the seemingly established rule of bagged iceberg lettuce and bottled ranch.
It turns out that bagged iceberg lettuce isn’t really a salad. Real salads include dynamic flavors, a delightful crunch, and most importantly, they leave you feeling scrumptiously satisfied. I love that salads can introduce my family to different textures within the vast veggie world. I love that salads are playful and messy. They invite fingers to pick out nuts, beans or that perfect baby spinach leaf. Salads even boost my creative prowess. There are endless combinations of veggies, fruits and proteins.
Whether you are a family of one or a family of six, allow salads to take center stage as you make healthy the norm.
Are you hoping to convert a salad-phobe into a salad lover? Here are some essentials for memorable, satisfying salads:
1. Scout Out the Fridge
Yesterday’s leftovers along with some mixed greens are all you to need to create a brilliant main dish for lunch. This is great because your family can ease into salads with something they’ve recently enjoyed, like grilled chicken or roasted sweet potatoes.
2. Put Your Favorites to Bed
Nearly any family favorite can be placed on top of a bed of greens. You can enjoy smaller portions of heavier main dishes when they are incorporated into a salad.
3. Think Beyond the Crouton
Croutons get old really fast. Don’t forget that the crunchy element in a salad can come from nuts, seeds, or shredded carrots or cabbage. We’ve even tried roasted chick peas. Those babies are amazing.
4. Get Your Fruit On
I love adding fruit to salad. Apples, oranges, grapes and berries are favorites over at our house. Dried fruit is great for when you want a chewy element or you just don’t have time to peel or dice.
5. Dress Lightly
Learn some basic salad dressing recipes to prep at the beginning of the week. I like to have 2-3 dressings ready in the fridge so I don’t have to mess with dressing during a hectic school day. Also, a little dressing goes a long way. The salad will shine with just a little drizzle.
6. Pantry Party
Keep a few salad staples in your pantry so you don’t have to meticulously plan out a salad. (Unless that’s your thing.) Keep a few ingredients that lend themselves to quick, creative salads on the fly like canned beans, dried cherries or almonds.
7. Pack in Protein
Really satisfying salads will always include an element of protein. Plant-based proteins can come from soybeans, nuts, seeds, quinoa or beans. Favorite animal-based proteins include fish, grilled poultry, steak, feta, fresh mozzarella or hard boiled eggs.
