A salad doesn't have to be lettuce and tomatoes - it can be anything.
I know many times I list on my menus that I had a side salad - it may not be what you all think. I mix all kinds of things together - whatever I have.
We all are used to salads with lettuces and tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers. Think outside the box.
Sometimes I have bite size pieces of fresh carrots (I always have carrots on hand) with olives and a little onion. Maybe cabbage cut up or shredded with some carrot and bell pepper added and a little dressing. Fresh asparagus is a favorite to be added to other veggies.
Think about cabbage, bell peppers, onions, fresh broccoli or cauliflower, chopped brussel sprouts, fresh asparagus, zucchini or yellow squash or drained canned garbanzo beans.
Top with croutons or chunks of roasted corn bread. Mix fresh and roasted veggies.
Think about making potato salad or egg salad - you can always serve over some fresh veggies if desired. Bean salad is favorite of mine. Broccoli salad, pea salad, corn salad...………...
There is absolutely no right or wrong when it comes to salad.
Add veggies or fruit to pasta, orzo or rice. Throw on a bit of dressing and YUM!
In the summer when I have fresh goodies on hand - some of my favorites are the basic cucumbers and onions with vinegar/sugar dressing. Tomatoes, cucumber/zucchini and chopped onions in Italian dressing. I often interchange cucumber for zucchini. Sweet onions, green onions, chives are all interchangeable.
Add fresh herbs that you have on hand.
Learn about edible 'weeds'. There are so many greens growing in our yards that are actually very good for you. (Make sure you research).
So the next time someone says "I had salad" - don't always think it was just lettuce!
Have fun and mix it up and enjoy a new SALAD!
We love salads here too and anything goes. A rice salad is so nice and refreshing. I may have to make one with whatever I can find in there today.
ReplyDeleteSo many choices! I hope you enjoy whatever you put together! Got to love easy and yummy combo!
DeleteI add pretty much anything to a salad. It's also the base for all of my lunches. I start with a green salad, and top it with protein leftovers from dinner the night before.
ReplyDeleteThere you go. I often make a chef salad or pasta salad and that is a meal.
DeleteSalads are so heart healthy and easy!
I have hostas in my yard and I discovered that when the spring shoots come up they are edible. I wasn't able to get out there to pick them this year but I sure will next year. I am all for an edible landscape.
ReplyDeleteI did not know that. How cool! What a fun way to incorporate the landscape.
DeleteThanks for the info.
Yum! Your salads sound so good and fresh. I think I am craving more fresh fruits and veggies. I tried leftover cornbread crumbled in salad recently, and it was surprisingly good. Thanks for the tips.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome. I just love salad and it is one of the most versatile things we can make.
DeleteWe have a side salad every day. Ours usually consists of spinach, cucumber, blueberries or sliced strawberries, sliced fresh mushrooms, black olives, garbanzo beans, grape tomatoes, and a sprinkle of feta cheese. Hubby also gets sweet bell pepper and I add sliced carrots to mine. In season, I also add edible pod sweet peas, which I grow in a bucket right outside my back door, and scallions from my garden.
ReplyDeleteOh yummy - that sounds delish.
DeleteI forgot to mention pea pods - they are so tasty.
It all sounds so healthy
I often have salad for lunch. I toss in whatever veg I have and chop it up before adding canned tuna and some salad dressing. Or I'll add chopped egg and bacon crumbles.Potato or pasta salads are a mainstay for the summer. I can make a big bowl of one or the other and leave them in the fridge for eating over several days. I think they taste better over time.
ReplyDeleteOk, I'm getting hungry - it's time for lunch!
I am a huge fan of pasta salad - and make that a lot in the summer. I agree - better over time. I think everything just absorbs all the flavors.
DeleteEnjoy lunch!
Now that's my idea of a salad! I normally eat one as my main meal since I've been trying to eat low carb in order to lose weight (or at least I was) - trying to get back on track since I have concentrated on fresh fruit & veg on my last two shopping trips.
ReplyDeleteTonight's supper is a mix of Spring Greens & Kale & cabbage slaw along with chickpeas, cheese, cherry tomatoes, nuts & dried fruit plus some baked beans!
OK, now I am getting hungry. Your salad sounds fantastic.
DeleteSalads sure are a good way of using up whatever is leftover.
I love that broccoli salad with nuts. I think I will make it tonight!
ReplyDeleteBroccoli salad is soooooo yummy!
DeleteDuring the 2nd world war in the UK the government encouraged people to eat salad everyday. They had nothing exotic but all kinds of things were put together for the right nutrients. I made coleslaw this week with spring greens, leek and carrot finely chopped and mixed with mayo. Your ideas are good.
ReplyDeleteSalads were probably very inexpensive ingredients back then. I just love that you can use anything you want and it is still yummy.
DeleteI love coleslaw and forgot to mention that one!
Thanks
Hi Cherly. I'm Ivy and I love this post because I love all kinds of salads too. And like you, I always have carrots on hand too. And I recently started growing carrot tops in side for a little greens to add.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, fresh picked aspargus is amazing. There's a farm not far from here and I ate so many of the aparagus raw and the entire plant. So fresh.
Nuts on salad. Me too! I love walnuts and sometimes pecans but walnuts and olives together make my tummy smile.
Lastly, orzo is something that just arrived that we ordered from Target online. I haven't had it in ages and I was thinking of a cold salad. My gram used to make a cold orzo salad. It was yummy but I can't remember what she added to it so I'll have to ask my mom.
Anyway, loved your post. Wishing you lots of yummy salads.
Hi Ivy glad to have you here. Carrots are so versatile and healthy, that I just always have them on hand. I have never had carrot tops - interesting. I have cooked radish and turnip greens.
DeleteSo many people have never tried fresh asparagus - they are missing out. It is so good.
I hope you get the recipe you are looking for from your mom.
Welcome to the group - look forward to your ideas.
Sometimes I venture off into the unconventional and the unexpected. Tommy usually likes whatever I put together as a salad.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to have someone that will eat about anything! That way experimenting is fun!!!!
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