Are you a salad person? It's totally okay to say no. In fact, I used to hate salads! I was anti salad making, what was the point? They never would turn out like some of my favorite bougie salad lunch spots. You know-the ones that charge close to around twenty bucks for some lettuce? But they always tasted so good-what was the secret?!
I am thrilled to be able to share with you the secret to salad making. Trust me, it isn't as fancy as you think. All it takes is a few simple techniques and I have dropped them below. Also, I include my most recent make-at-home salad that is on repeat; the Trader Joe's Goddess Salad (totally made up by me) and it can be found below.
Here are the steps I take to make a salad that does not suck and tastes super satisfying!
Step 1: Use a big bowl to put it together-don't try to fit everything in a small bowl it just doesn't work and it becomes a mess. Get your biggest bowl kay?
Step 2: Start with your greens-mixed greens are my favorite for a salad but I also love romaine, arugula, kale, spinach and you can mix a variety of all types of leafy greens-have fun with it! Tip* usually JUST romaine can be kinda boring, recently I ordered a salad and it was JUST butter lettuce-seemed extremely cheap and bland in my opinion-so be weary of what greens you're using.
Step 3: Add a protein. An ingredient I've been really into recently is Trader Joe's already steamed lentils-they are so hearty and simple to toss in. Leftover chicken or any protein of choice works great-don't be afraid to mix a bunch of falvors-good food is good food as my mama says.
Step 4: Add your chopped veggies-cucumber, shredded carrots, edamame, sprouts, green onion, red onion, olives, red peppers, pepperoncini, roasted beets,
Step 5: Add something crunchy-I am OBSESSED with pistachio nut meats-they add the perfect crunch-trust me on this!! Any type of nut works well in salad-you can't go wrong.
Step 6: Add in any extra fun items like feta cheese, avocado, balsamic glaze, cracked pepper, chili flakes, oregano, fresh herbs, whatever your heart is calling in.
Step 7: Keep it simple with your dressing with pure olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a tbsp of dijon.
And that's it! Toss the heck out of it this is also a very important strategy. Toss it with care and love-your salad will taste so much better when you cook with positive intention. Too woo-woo for you?
So now here is the Green Goddess Trader Joe's salad that is on repeat for me:
Trader Joe's makes salad making especially easy with all of their pre-made toppings. Try making this Trader Joe's Goddess salad next time you are in the mood for healthy but filling. The only ingredients you have to prepare are the chopped cucumber and red pepper, you can find everything already chopped/pre-made so this makes for the perfect quick and damn delicious lunch.
Here are the ingredients:
Mixed greens (or lettuce of choice)
lentils (can be found pre-steamed in cold section of TJ's)
shredded carrots (can be found in cold section)
edamame (already cooked in cold section)
cucumber
red peppers
red or green onion
pepperoncini
feta cheese
pistachio nutmeats (pistachios de-shelled, get them roasted)
cracked pepper
add a heaping scoop of their kale pesto, basil, and cashew dip (this is what gives it the green goddess name, get it by their salsas and dips-its vegan)
drizzle of balsamic glaze
olive oil
Let me know how you enjoy it!
Lots of love and happy cooking!
Em
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