Because of the sun’s tentative appearances this weekend, I decide to dust off my summer bikini and hit the backyard pool with a fat bowl of summer salad. Strawberries, roasted almonds, dried cranberries, chick-peas and a light drizzle of raspberry vinaigrette top my spinach salad. As I chow down on every fruitful bite, I come to agree that a good ol’ salad can actually be enjoyable too!
Although i am a huge salad-lover, i can not say the same for the rest of my family. For one, Michelle hates them! And although she is eating well each day due to our competition, she refuses to take a bite out of a salad bowl. I simply look at this as one more reason as to why ill be crowned the winner at the end of these three months.
But, if your a stubborn anti-salad lover like my sister, i have a few secrets up my sleeve on how to make a salad that you are sure to be drooling over, so give these next few rules a try:
Rule 1: The More Greens, the Merrier
Of course, you may want to begin your salad with a few greens. This includes spinach, lettuce, kale, or cabbage. You can add one or even all of these greens- whatever may tickle your fancy. Also, the salad you choose doesn’t have to be the only green added to the mix. Try some green veggies for example. Things like avocado, asparagus, broccoli, bok choy, herbes or green beans can be a great addition.
Note: you don’t have to start with a leafy base if that is what you hate about salads. For instance, a salad can be perfectly tasteful with the simple combination of diced cucumbers, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Although, if you want a more traditional styled salad, stick with the greens
This step should look something like this:
Here i added just spinach
Rule 2: Give it a Pop of Colour
Add some spunk to your salad and make it look appetizing! Here’s a list of colourful fruits and veggies that will be sure to add some excitement:
- Apples
- Mango
- Grapes
- Tangerines
- Corn
- Onion
- Tomato
- Peppers
- Pineapple
- Pomegranate seeds
- Berries (including dried ones)
- Carrots
- Raddish
- Pumpkin
- Sweet Potatoe
- Eggplant
Although the list can go on, try to pair things in your salad that will complement each other, rather than overdoing your salad with an explosion of toppings.
In this instance, I have decided to add some pineapple and green apple to my creation:
Rule 3: Add something Odd
Reach for foods that you would not normally consider a topping. Seeds can be a great starter to your list of odd things. I rarely think to add them but it’s always a lovely touch when I do; from flax seeds to poppy seeds- yum yum yum!
You may also want to try adding cheeses or nuts for a more salty taste. Nuts especially can really boost up the flavour in your salad, particularly when roasted and chopped.
Simply be creative with this rule and go wild!
I decided to go with some shredded almonds:
Rule 4: Raise the bar with protein
If you are looking to create a filling meal out of your salad, try satisfying it with added protein. By protein, I don’t mean simply adding meats like chicken or steak to your salad- which can still be a great option. Rather, take your riskiness up a notch by adding other sources of protein such as egg slivers, beans, fish (from tuna to shrimp to fillet fishes), chick peas, or tofu. This will be sure to bulk up your salad and enhance the taste.
I decided to add with a few shrimps, and created this:
Looks great, and tastes even better!
Rule 5: Dress to impress
Now remember, we want to keep the salads hearty and healthy. Let’s not overdose on the calories with a heavy dressing choice. Hence, home-made dressings can be the best way to go; this way you fully know all the benefits in your nutritional bowl.
But if you can’t keep your hands off the more traditional type of salad dressings like Zesty Italian or Cesar, I have a suggestion for you. The “Keeper of the Home” blog provides easy and healthier how-to recipes on 10 of the most popular dressings. I was surprised to find out that the homemade outcome is a bazillion times better then that pre-made version.
http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2012/08/10-real-food-salad-dressing-recipes.html
For my salad, i kept it simple with some balsamic vinegar:
So don’t forget! Have fun with your salads and take them for a ride. Be creative and dare to try something flipping awesome.
Don’t forget to share some of your salad ideas too!
The Family Fix 
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