Salad ideas!!!

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Replies

  • mtruitt01
    mtruitt01 Posts: 370 Member
    I know it sounds weird, but I like to add sweet fruit to my salads (grapes, raisins, canned or fresh tangerines)....

    So I'm weird! Chopped granny smith apples, dried cherry-flavored cranberries...
  • mtruitt01
    mtruitt01 Posts: 370 Member
    I burned out on lettuce/greens. I now make chopped salads and change up the ingredients when I feel like it.

    Lately it's been:

    broccoli
    radishes
    jicama
    celery
    green and red cabbage
    red and green peppers
    canned sweet corn from Trader Joe's or Sprouts (these are delicious, not like the rest of can corn)
    red onion
    zucchini
    english cucumber (I scrape out the seeds with a spoon)
    real tomatoes that smell like real tomatoes
    chick peas/garbanzos
    peppercinis
    Granny Smith apples
    nuts and seeds

    everything gets chopped into small cubes, or approximate
    My dressing is anything that is 40 calories or less for 2 Tablespoons. I have an assortment and mix them up.
    Trader Joe's: Cilantro; Champagne and Raspberry Vinaigrettes; Low-fat Balsamic (although I don't look for low-fat labels).
    Newman's Own, Annie's; etc.
    and then I mix in a little of what's below--
    So my dressing could be a combo of dressing and
    fresh lime juice
    balsamic vinegar
    rice vinegar
    red wine vinegar
    juice from pickle or pepperoni jar

    Feta is good, and so is any protein source you like.
    I'm going to try the mason jar salad idea that is going around the internet. I like the idea of putting the dressing in the bottom so you'd good to go.
  • cuckoo_jenibeth
    cuckoo_jenibeth Posts: 1,434 Member
    I like to use fat free cottage cheese in the place of dressing. Yummy & filling!
  • tttanyah
    tttanyah Posts: 14
    I love a lot of chopped herbs to go with the greens (often just romaine, microgreens, and spinach) in my salad: parsley, cilantro, basil, and dill, in particular, along with the 'usual' salad veggies (cukes, radishes, peppers, carrots, tomatoes), and a garlicky oil/lemon/cider vinegar dressing.
  • Snip8241
    Snip8241 Posts: 767 Member
    Bump....thanks for all of the good ideas!
  • lrg223
    lrg223 Posts: 1 Member
    Corn, black beans, tomatoes, red onions with fat free ranch dressing (I buy Wishbone) mixed with Franks hot sauce as the dressing then I sprinkle my salad with Chilli powder. SO-GOOD for a healthy Mexican flavor.

    Shrimp Caesar salad with tomatoes and red onions. I use Marzetti Super Light Casear Dressing and sprinkle my salad with grated parm cheese. (I sometimes add black beans and avocado to this too for more nutrition) - I saute the shrimp sometimes that are covered in a bunch of spices for an extra kick)

    I usually also add chopped up red and green peppers, celery, shredded carrots, cucumbers, chickpeas, ... basically any veggie I have/am in the mood food.

    Also if I want croutons, I put about one serving (usually 6) in a bag and crush them a bit. It spreads out more of the crunch and flavor without going crazy by adding a heaping of croutons and adding tons of empty calories.
  • Jess__I__Can
    Jess__I__Can Posts: 307 Member
    Crab (or krab)
    Avocado
    Brown Rice
    Diced cucumber
    1/2 soy sauce 1/2 rice wine vinegar dressing
  • mygnsac
    mygnsac Posts: 13,413 Member
    I got really burned out on salads, and right now I prefer just eating cut up veggies (with a little hummus, salsa or tzatziki as a dip), but when I do have a salad I usually add raisins, pepita seeds or chopped pecans or walnuts, a little cheese (I usually just chop up a string cheese), an ounce or two of chopped chicken or turkey, a couple slices of avacado, edamame. As long as I have tomato and avocado in my salad, I don't add any dressing. However, my salads are usually intended as a meal and wind up being around 300-400 calories.
  • cosmichvoyager
    cosmichvoyager Posts: 237 Member
    Lot's of good ideas here. I'd add that it is worth it to buy the best produce you can. Find a farmer's market and your produce will be fresher and tastier-- really makes a big difference :)
  • I like fresh vegetable and fruit salad it keeps me full and healthy. This time I am going to try something different.with 6 medium red and golden beets, 8 cups mixed baby salad greens, fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, white balsamic vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, virgin olive oil, 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese, walnuts and water also.
    Leave root and 1-inch stem on beets; scrub with a brush. Place beets and 1 cup water in a 13 x 9-inch glass or ceramic baking dish; cover tightly with foil. Bake at 375° for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until tender. Cool beets slightly. Trim off roots; rub off skins. Cut beets into wedges; cool completely.
    Place greens and parsley in a large bowl; toss. Combine vinegar, salt, and pepper, stirring with a whisk. Gradually drizzle in oil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Drizzle dressing over greens mixture; toss gently. Arrange 1 cup salad on each of 8 plates; top evenly with beets. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese and 1 1/2 teaspoons nuts.