Saturday, September 20, 2014

Mason Jar Salads


From Earthbound Farm


You Must Go in Order
First, you want to put in your salad dressing. When it's sitting at the bottom of your jar, it can't make the rest of your salad soggy. Then, put in a healthy grain or protein—something that will serve the dual purpose of guarding the more delicate salad ingredients from the dressing and also soaking up some of the dressing's flavor (so it's that much yummier). Then, put in the rest of your toppings, finishing off with your leafy greens. That way they won't get smushed and they'll be at the bottom when you pour everything onto a plate or into a bowl at lunchtime.


Combine Textures and Flavors
The most satisfying salads contain a filling protein, something salty, something crunchy, something sweet, and something tangy. Example: edamame (a protein) with roasted squash (subtly sweet), tomato vinaigrette (tangy), and sunflower seeds (salty and crunchy!). 

Cook Your Veggies First
Just because it's a salad doesn't mean everything in it has to be raw. If you've already roasted veggies for dinner one night, use some of the leftovers to top the salad you pack for lunch the next day—it'll make your meal so much more flavorful, and you'll likely find you need less dressing since you probably used some oil during the cooking process. If you're feeling really fancy, you can even try roasting fruits (FYI, roasted grapes might just be our favorite salad topping ever).
Want more fun salad combo ideas? Check out this oh-so-helpful infographic from Earthbound Farm:


No comments: