What makes this salad recipe different?
I get tired of salads. I always try to spruce mine up. My salad recipe MUST be full of flavor and satisfying. I don’t want to be hungry in two hours and be tempted with chocolate. (truth be told, I’m always tempted by chocolate!)
Keep your salad recipe balanced with the big 4:
- High fiber
- Complex carbohydrates
- Protein
- Good fats
Check out how easy this healthy salad recipe is!
Easy. Delicious. Healthy.
- You can prep it ahead of time: Assemble the salad and take it to work/eat it the next day.
- Sometimes I’ll prep a big bowl for the week for my hubby and I and keep it in a closed container in the fridge. If you make 4 servings, just measure out 1/4 of the salad so you know how much you are eating.
- Assemble the day before and serve at a picnic, cookout, or any gathering!
If you prep ahead of time, keep the dressing on the side until right before eating/serving. How simple and delicious is that for healthy eating?
Not Just Another Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup chopped broccoli I often mix my broccoli with kale to get in those healthy greens!
- 2 TBS dried cranberries Use the fruit juice sweetened - no sugar added. Whole Foods carries them.
- 1 TBS chopped/minced walnuts I toast mine for added flavor
- 1/2 ounce soft goat cheese or dairy-free cheese
- 1 TBS dressing make your own or use a dressing like Annie's Organic Raspberry vinaigrette. No added sugar! If you want more dressing, add some apple cider vinegar or balsamic vinegar.
- 4 ounces turkey or chicken white meat OR 1/2 cup steamed edamame
Instructions
Prep
- Measure out your baby spinach. Chop up broccoli (and kale, if using).
- Dice your walnuts. (I keep toasted walnuts in the fridge so I have them on hand. Toasted nuts have more flavor than raw nuts). You're meant to use 1/2 TBS of diced nuts. Otherwise, you'll end up with one big walnut on your salad. That's disappointing. 🙂
- Chop up turkey or chicken.*
Put It Together
- Add protein, the fruit juice sweetened dried cranberries, and diced nuts to salad.
- Crumble goat cheese over salad.*
Toss and Taste
- Add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper to taste. Add dressing. Toss and taste.
- If you are used to more dressing, add some red wine or balsamic vinegar. You don't want to add too much dressing fat to a salad. This will work against weight loss or maintenance efforts!
*If You are Vegan/Vegetarian
- Eliminate the goat cheese and double the nuts.
- Eliminate the meat and add 1/2 cup of cooked soybeans.
Notes
If you have time, mix up a quick White Balsamic Dressing. It’s great on this salad!
Congrats, you just had 3 cups of veggies, solid protein, and a mix of good fats.
Did this salad work for you? Let me know!
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