Summer is upon us which means it’s salad season! I’m notorious for preparing meal-size salads for dinner. Salads can be very filling as long as you add some protein. Here is a big list of things to add to your salads to make them a little bit more exciting. I have also included a few of my go-to salad recipes at the end. A rule of thumb when I make salads is to use a variety of colours: eat a rainbow! Orange carrots, yellow peppers, red strawberries, white goat cheese – the options are endless!

Vegetables

• try a new lettuce in your salad: Boston, Bibb, Kale, Spinach, Endive, Radicchio
• add flavour with fresh herbs such as basil or cilantro or mint
• carrot
• celery
• cucumber
• tomato
• radish
• zucchini
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• pepper
• asparagus
• green beans

Fruit

• berries: strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry
• apple
• mandarin slices
• watermelon
• pear
• grapes
• pineapple
• dried fruit: raisins, cherries, cranberries

Cheese

• cheddar
• goat cheese – try an herbed goat cheese!
• feta
• blue
• parmesan or asiago – try shaving into curls or adding small cubes
• Pick up something new at the grocery store!

Protein

• chicken
• seasoned ground beef
• turkey – use leftovers or buy some sliced turkey breast
• ham or bacon
• tuna
• chick peas or other canned beans
• hard-boiled egg
• tofu
• nuts – pecan, walnut, almond
• seeds – sunflower, pumpkin
• quinoa

Salad Dressing

• try a new salad dressing!
• Usually use vinaigrette? Opt for something creamy next time or vice versa.
• Poppyseed dressing
• Oil & vinegar for something simple
• Kraft makes a fantastic new line called Fruit & Veg
• Try making your own! There are so many recipes available.

 

My Favourites

1. Iceberg lettuce with shredded carrots, cucumber chunks, ham (either leftovers or sliced lunch meat), grated sharp cheddar cheese, canned chick peas (rinsed well) and Kraft Three Cheese Ranch Dressing.
2. Fresh tomatoes and cucumbers cut into large chunks. Add a large helping of feta cheese and some greek dressing. Olives & red onion optional.
3. Baby spinach, strawberries, herbed goat cheese, grilled chicken and pecans with a raspberry or other sweet vinaigrette.
4. Caesar with a twist: romaine hearts, grilled chicken, bacon bits (make your own!), sliced almonds, fresh shaved parmesan with a creamy caesar dressing.
5. When in doubt, pick up a bag of Eat Smart Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad Kit. Delicious & nutritious!