Salad is probably the last thing on everyone’s mind during this period of social distancing, but getting the nutrients is important to keep your system strong. Eating healthy is also beneficial for mental health: make your day more positive with one of these salads, made up of unexpected ingredients that will leave your mouth watering. Pro tip: Making your salads look more visually appealing goes a long way toward making them more appetizing.
1. Try a superfood salad
Superfood salads are amazing – who needs bread when it has some fruit, protein, crunch and lots of color? Combine a seed of your choice, chia or not, with a toasted protein (salmon and chicken are always versatile) combined with some nuts and some type of fruit. Try this pomegranate, kale and quinoa salad that uses salmon as the main dish and is paired with a spectacular dressing.
2. Sprinkle some fruit.
Fruit in salad? This may seem like blasphemy to some, but fruit is the best way to liven up a salad and make eating vegetables much easier. Strawberries are one of our favorites, especially with spinach and kale. This recipe adds quinoa and we suggest taking liberties with the goat cheese as it adds a bit of tangy creaminess to the mix.
3. When in doubt, add cheese.
Anyone who hates salads has definitely put a ton of shredded mozzarella on their iceberg lettuce. Instead, opt for a healthier and more delicious option by adding some fresh ricotta or feta cheese, since supermarket grated cheese doesn’t exactly say “fresh.” This ricotta, broccolini and chickpea salad, which could pass for a complete meal.
4. Don’t skimp on meat or fish
For non-vegans or non-vegetarians, salads can seem daunting. But there’s no shame in adding a few strips of grilled chicken or fish to make the salad game easier. It can make you feel fuller, which is why many salads end up giving you that hungry feeling after eating them. Adding protein will also increase your energy so you are less hungry throughout the day. This Sriracha Lime Chicken Salad, for example, definitely tastes better than greasy Thai takeout.
5. Add a pinch of honey
Some people like a little sweetness in their salad, but don’t want to add fruit. The solution is honey or agave, which adds a pinch of natural sweetness to dressings or cheeses that already contain honey. Toasting nuts with honey is also delicious. Honey goes great with citrus, so consider making a honey, lime, or lemon vinaigrette for a spicy kick.
6. Grill or grill vegetables
The method in which you cook vegetables definitely has a powerful effect on the final flavor. Steamed vegetables versus roasted vegetables, for example: there really is no comparison. Grilling adds a more robust, earthy flavor with a preferable texture, and the same goes for roasting. Consider trying it with bell peppers, eggplant, or mushrooms. Roasted and grilled vegetables are also easier to digest than raw ones.
7. Get familiar with different beans
A salad made up of different types of beans may not seem like the most exciting thing, but you have to experience it to fully appreciate this salad trick. Especially useful for vegetarians, this protein-packed ingredient comes in many varieties and textures. Mix some pinto, black, and kidney beans with some edamame. Adding green beans, quinoa or couscous is a great way to liven up the salad and enhance the textures even more.
8. Play with the temperature
Oddly enough, combining different temperatures in a single salad makes it feel heartier and more satisfying. For example, pair some freshly grilled salmon or tossed steak with a chilled avocado and some crispy room temperature cucumbers and onions. For some reason, doing this makes a salad automatically feel like a comfort food, even though it’s not boxed macaroni and cheese. This recipe even adds a little crunch to crispy kale. Salad that tastes like French fries? Yes please.
9. Add spices
While literal heat is helpful with some ingredients, adding spices is a fantastic way to introduce new flavors to your salad. You can cook your protein in hot sauce or some other hot sauce, as well as add spices to your ingredients. Others prefer to add chopped jalapeño, pickled ingredients, or a sweeter and spicier combination. For something super unusual, try this cumin-infused chicken salad bowl.