Crafting a vibrant, nutritious and hearty salad is easier than you think. It just requires a few more ingredients and a big bowl, you’ll want some room for tossing!
Step 1: Start with a mix of greens. This provides different textures and flavors. I like to mix butter lettuce, baby spinach and and romaine. Its a good mix of crunch and bite, but use your faves!
Step 2: Add grains. I like to add a little quinoa for my grain, sometimes I skip this if I am in a hurry or having salad as a side. When I am making a salad the meal, this is what helps keep you full and satiated longer.
Step 3: Add raw ingredients. Anything from raw vegetables to fruit. Depending what direction you want to go, sweet, savory or a mix of both!
I typically add beans, chopped bell pepper, broccoli, nuts, seeds, anything that sounds good or that I have on hand.
Step 4: Add cooked ingredients. This is the magic step. I roast a variety of vegetables. My favorites are onion, carrot and cauliflower. The flavors blend so well and you can season each differently for a varying flavor or they taste great with just some olive oil and salt.
Roasting vegetables is easy! Just chop your veg and drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast at 420 until tender, usually 25-30 minutes.
Step 4: Add final touches. Avocado, fresh cracked pepper are my two “secret ingredients.” Something about the creamy avocado paired with all the fresh crunchy ingredients and the pepper just adds a special hint of flavor. I add these last before dressing so they don’t get buried when tossing.
Step 5: Dress it. I like Marzetti’s Red Wine Vinaigrette for store bought dressing or I’ll make a basic balsamic vinaigrette combo. Pick your favorite dressing and give it a good toss around!
I promise, you’ll no longer view salads as a boring menu after thought!
Try it and let me know your favorite salad combo!
Collectively,
Karmen
