THINK OUTSIDE THE [SALAD] BOX

Life is too short to eat boring salads! Here are some ideas to mix and match as you layer

different flavors, textures, and colors.

BASE - Start with something green (lettuce or kale) or grainy (cooked and cooled quinoa, rice, farro, etc.)

FRUITS AND VEGGIES - Go wild! Standard carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes are great, but so are many other fruits (like apples, pears, mangos, peaches, citrus & berries) and vegetables (like fennel, radishes, jicama, scallions, & roasted root veggies).

FRESH HERBS - Add interesting pops of flavor to your salad by tossing in any soft fresh herb: dill, parlsey, tarra-gon, mint, chives... anything but sage or rosemary, which are best cooked.

SOMETHING CRUNCHY - Texture is important! Add toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds, nuts, or make crou-tons from leftover stale bread.

BODY - If you want a hearty, filling salad, you may want to add chickpeas, beans, lentils, cheese (crumbled soft cheese or a shredded hard cheese), chicken, fish, salami, or any other protein.

DRESS IT UP! - Make your own: three parts oil (we like extra virgin olive), one part acid (vinegar, lemon or lime juice), an emulsifier (like honey or mustard), and a healthy dash of salt and pepper.

QUICK & EASY SALAD COMBINATIONS

Each of these salads can be whipped up in minutes, stored for a few days in the fridge (just keep the dressing separate), and

are open to infinite possibilities!

EVERY DAY LUNCH SALADAny salad greens, a few strips of rotiserrie chicken, walnuts, a few strips of

parmesan cheese (sliced with a vegetable peeler)

Dressing: Salt, pepper, olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice

THAI VEGETABLE SALADThinly sliced peppers, red cabbage, carrots, scallions, cilantro

Dressing: 2 Tbs peanut butter, 1 Tbs rice vinegar ,1 Tbs lime juice, 1 Tbs olive oil, 1 tsp soy sauce, 1 Tbs honey, 1 garlic clove (minced), 1 tsp ginger

(minced), salt

ROASTED VEGGIES & PUMPKIN SEEDSBaby spinach, leftover roasted squash (or sweet potato, or beet, etc),

pumpkin or sunflower seeds, feta cheese

Dressing: Salt, pepper, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey

BONUS RECIPE: HOME MADE RANCH DRESSING FOR THE KID IN ALL OF US

INGREDIENTS1 cup mayonnaise1/2 cup sour creamButtermilk (as needed)2 cloves garlic, minced1/4 cup parsley, choppedA few dashes of hot sauce

DIRECTIONS1. Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic, and parsley in a bowl. Stir to combine. 2. Drizzle in buttermilk and stir until you reach your desired consistency. 3. Add a few dashes of hot sauce, to taste (it doesn’t make it spicy but it does add a nice zing).