I need salad inspiration!

[coymichelle]

My garden is flourishing and I have a ton of Rocky Top lettuce to pick today. I want to make the family a giant, incredible, bodacious salad.

What are your go-to salad ideas? I need salad topping inspiration!

[betpchem]

I like to mix walnuts and berries into my salad. For a dressing, I like to use a Rachel Ray recipe I found once - strawberry jam plus balsamic vinegar plus oil. Usually I just used flavored balsamic vinegars instead of the jam. 

[eandersen]

I like to put tons of different salad/veggi/fruit/healthy grains. Mango is a nice add to my salad, I use lime juice and whatever grains I use I have them dresnched in balsamic and after everything is cut and chopped and mix together I add some Old Bay Fat Free Balsamic, 25 cal per 2 tbsp. So you get all the nutrients in one meal. I also chop things up small = chopska 🙂

[kittyinthecity]

Anyone want to add me? Im new to this and want more friends!

[HelenaFitbit]

I have to admit @coymichelle, I am positively jealous of having a salad garden all to myself. Also, Pinterest is full of salad recipes, but mason jar type-salads are a real favorite.

[loveabull]

Edamame is a tasty and nutritious addition to any salad.

[jessicabraemer]

My typical salads are any greens - leaf lettuce, kale, spinach etc.

a bit of cheddar cheese, bacon bits, walnuts, sometimes a small amount of craisins or raisins, shredded carrots, green onions, red onions, and usually banana peppers to give it a little bit of a kick!

also, really jealous of your garden!!

[Cygnuswomyn]

Oooo Bananna peppers is a great call!  I do black olives, cappers, and scallions for a little extra kick.

[VeraBlue]

Keep the flavours of your salads separate - don't dress the whole thing.  Take your lettuce, add very thin red onion - dress just those two things with olive oil (try orange olive oil), vinegar (use balsamic, or a great red), minced garlic, fresh oregano, sea salt and cracked black pepper.  Put that base on the bottom of your plate.  A good rule of thumb for a salad is to add something hot or warm, something smooth, something crunchy and something cool.   This time of year, you can add grilled portebello mushrooms, goat cheese, toasted sunflower seeds and sliced peaches.   If you follow the basic recipe of a bed of greens, and then top with the 4 textures, you can eat well 7 days a week.

[jabber_wockey]

Steak Salad with home made Ranch is one of my faves.  I have served this for dinner for the family by heaping greens and diced/sliced veggies, tomatoes, and avocados on a large platter and topping with the sliced steak. 

http://locarbjabberwockey.wordpress.com/2012/10/08/121/

[CaliSeaBreeze]

I use salad as a base to put my meals on.  I lay down a large bed of different greens: lettuce and cabbage.  Then add the dressing, lately it's been a Cajan Remoulade, lightly coat the greens with it.  Then top the greens with whatever you feel like: tomatoes, cucumbers, red or vidalia onion slices, sweet peppers, juillian carrots, jicama, lightly steamed green beans or baby potatoes.  Then I add my protein: grilled fish is a favorite, chicken, steak slices, hard boiled egg, shredded cheese of your choice.  I also like little special ingredients for a bang: olives, nuts, capers, baby gherkins, pickled beets (pickled anything *weakness*) then serve with extra dressing available for those who want it.

This can be made with any dressing/veggie/fruit/starch/special ingredient/protein combination, cold rice is a good add.  It's one of my fall-to meals.

[Mcore]

Hi everyone!  Well, I love salads but a friend of mine gave me a great and easy recipe for one. You will only need a cucumber, spicy peanuts and coriander.

Dice the cucumber, chop some coriander and add the peanuts, place all in a bowl, add lemon juice and a bit of salt and you're good to go!

I hope you like it, enjoy! 

[MaryTinsa]

We really enjoy roasted or even boiled vegetables on salad greens, tossed with toasted and chopped nuts , dressed with a vinaigrette, adding olives when we have them. I will even put my sauteed breakfast greens in the mix - the contrast with the sweet, fresh picked lettuce makes for a satisfying meal salad. 

[Mcore]

That sounds delightful @MaryTinsa, thank you for sharing your recipe! 

[Emilyjean]

I eat a salad every second night... not only is it healthy but its also light for when you go to bed 🙂

- 50g of cos lettuce (washed)

- 4 cherry tomatoes, quartered

- 15g Avocado 

- 10g shaved or grated parmesan cheese

- 15g dried sweetened cranberries

- 1 marinated chicken breast steak

Only turns out to be around 300-350 calories, depending on the products you use and the size of the chicken 🙂 

[Annie-NH]

Salad is my main course for lunches.  I make my salad by color, I use hearts of romaine , spinach ,  Shredded red cabbage,  sliced radishes, sliced red peppers, shredded carrots, . cauliflower, and celery , I don't add tomatoes or cukes to my packed lunch because I am going for crisp and chunky salads that require chewing.   I use good seasons cheese and herb dressing and may top it with baked chicken breast, sunflower seeds, or pine nuts. 

[Mcore]

@Emilyjean @Annie-NH Those salad recipes sound so good. I'm a salad fan so having new ideas or ingredients to add to my salad is always a good way to go. Do you guys make your own dressings? 

[Emilyjean]

@Mcore NO! i dont use salad dressing at all in my salads. However the chicken i use is usually marinated in a barbeque or lemon and herb flavour. That usually gives it some flavour, also the parmesan cheese gives it a lovely  taste and the cranberries give it some sweetness (and theyre also very good for you)! 🙂 

[Mcore]

@Emilyjean That's true, marinating the chicken is a good idea to avoid adding a dressing. It all depends on what you add to the salad I guess. Thanks for the tips!

[kschwarzer]

I've been making this Superfood Chopped Salad by Jamie Oliver for the past few weeks as my go-to lunch. The flavour combinations are delicious and he shares some great ideas to mix and match ingredients. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8eSb0_Zgo8