Sorry if you already saw this post. It went up earlier somehow. I don’t understand computers (clearly).
Anyway. I’ve been going through a salad-for-lunch-phase.
As far as phases go, I don’t think it gets much healthier. Unlike certain food ruts of the past (Earth Balance on everything, dessert after each meal of the day, etc.).
So here are a few of my latest creations.
Mexi-chop. I tried to model this one after The Veggie Grill’s Baja Fiesta salad. That salad has “chopped romaine, papaya, avocado, roasted corn salsa, cucumber, cilantro, tortilla strips, and grilled chikin’ with a ginger-papaya vinaigrette.”
Mine had romaine, carrots, avocado, home-made salsa, tortilla chips, daiya cheddar “cheese” and gardein chik’n. Pretty close right?
No offense to VG but I promise this home-made salsa made my salad better than theirs. You see, Kyle’s aunt makes this salsa every single year from the tomatoes in her own garden. And then she jars it and gives it out to the family for Christmas. It’s legendary. I doubt it will last through January…
Here it is all mixed up and ready to get taken down.
FYI I used the second gardein breast from way back when (it lasted int he fridge this whole time). The chips were 365 organic white corn (more salt por favor!). And like I said above, the cheddar was daiya shredded leftover from our New Year’s Eve dinner at my in-laws. The salsa is what MADE the salad though. And it was so good that I had the exact same thing for lunch the next day too.
My next salad was Caesar in theme, but that’s only due to the dressing.
I’m obsessed with Follow Your Heart’s vegan Caesar. So much so that I brought the unused portion of the bottle (from Christmas dinner) back to Santa Monica with me.
It wasn’t very Caesar-like in any other way though. It had romaine, carrots, and avocado.
Like I said, it’s all about Follow Your Heart’s dressing.
This guy was pretty much the same as the previous, only I added daiya cheddar to the mix and topped it off with a simple balsamic and olive oil blend.
I guess the rest of my salads evaded the camera.
I’m not gonna lie, I do miss tomatoes. These salads would have been much better with them. But our tomato plant finally got the memo that it’s January (and stopped producing) and winter tomatoes are mealy and flavorless (and cost $$$$). So until next season…
Oh and btw, 99% of the time I use my teeth to cut carrots (biting off chunks) rather than a knife. I’m so lazy gross. It just seems so much easier than dirtying a cutting board. Aren’t you glad I shared. 😉
I’ve been on a huge salad for lunch (and dinner actually) routine too. It’s strange because I’m in NY so it’s cold here- I usually crave soup this time of year. I’ve been making massive taco salads with romaine, black beans, corn, bell pepper, cheddar and a ton of cumin. Satisfies me every time.
Your carrot cutting method is amazing haha!
I am totally jealous of your homemade salsa! Salsa is such a delicious “dressing” on Mexican/taco salads…yum. I eat a huge salad just about every day for dinner, and I have been known to take some shortcuts to avoid dirtying more dishes too…slicing veggies on a tupperwear container lid rather than dirtying a cutting board is way too common for me. Also, ripping up my lettuce to avoid dirtying a knife… 😉 I don’t have a dishwasher, what can I say?!?
Courtney
i use tupperware lids all the time too!!!
i know. im “special”.
Great minds think alike…. 🙂
I do the same sometimes (cut things with my teeth instead of using a knife)! Especially nuts and dried fruits, which are Especially annoying to cut with a knife (nuts- too small, hard and round, dried fruits- too sticky). It’s so much faster and easier and easier that way!
I always cut carrots with my teeth! Haha! So glad to hear someone else does it too! I’m sure my husband thinks I’m a total freak! Now I’m not alone 🙂
I am so jealous of your salsa! I am a huge fan of the gob of salsa gob of hummus mixed as salad dressing….. I eat a stupid amount of salads and find to stop the sameness i buy one different salad veg like fennel or chayote or daikon- i’m tight with my mandoline.
The carrot cutting technique is a must mention here- sounds like a serious “mom” kind of thing to do so maybe you are more ready to be a mom than you know 🙂
yes! another weirdo 🙂
thats my thinking too!
yay – this comment made me so happy 🙂
Also a member of this unique club of carrot cutters. 😉 Who knew there was a group of us?
e, vegan caesar dressing is something i haven’t been able to get on board with. it’s sad, but i will take a couple of lactaid pills to have the real thing. why mus i do this to myself? =/ hmmphh
its been so long i honestly cannot taste the difference. same w real cheese. you just have to accept it and move on. that way your taste buds can move on. stop torturing yourself 8!!!
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