4 Tips to Enjoying Salad

Super Mommy Secrets to Eating Your Greens and Enjoying Them Too

Dear Reader-

You may already know that I have struggled to enjoy a salad that doesn’t involve pasta 😉 … And, like most everyone else (whether they will admit it or not), with the new year comes a renewed commitment to health and for me… that means getting in my greens…

However, over the last month we Goodes have ate more salads that we probably have in the last 5 years…

So, if you struggle getting the family to eat those salads, this Super Mommy Secrets post is for you…

Make Your Own Dressing

When I saw this recipe for a knock-off of Olive Garden’s dressing on Pinterest I was intrigued…

Ya see, I love Olive Garden salad– truth be told, I think I would love eating an old leather shoe if it were dipped in that yummy dressing… just sayin’

So, I whipped some up and while it is not an exact replica, it was delicious and has become a staple in our fridge and on our salads. Actually, the week I made this recipe, we ate salad every night that week without a complaint… Hmm…

This got me thinking that my approach to salad all these years has been all out of whack…

Homemade dressings like this Tarragon Vinaigrette burst with flavor and not only make the greens and veggies tolerable, but actually a dish to look forward to enjoying.

Some marinades like this Tomato Basil Marinade can easily be used as a flavorful dressing as well… yum!

So, now I am on a mission… I am collecting and trying out recipes like a mad woman to stock up in my salad dressing arsenal.

So far, I have found this homemade salad dressing index that I can’t wait to test out.

I also can’t wait to try out this Green Goddess Dressing Recipe after trying the store-bought variety recently.

Mix Up Those Greens

Another way to make those salads a bit more interesting is to try out some new varieties of greens. Truth be told, I grew up on iceberg lettuce and my salad horizons hadn’t really grown a lot beyond that until recently.

That is why I appreciate Dole’s little guide on their bags to help me know what I am getting myself into… (And, no… Dole is not sponsoring this post). It will tell me if the greens are subtle or bold in flavor and if the texture is on the crunchy or tender side.

Our favorites?

• Baby Spinach
• Butter Bliss
• Spring Mix
• Sweet Baby Lettuces

Add Veggies with Flavor

I heart tomatoes… and my tomato taste standards are super high.

I know what a GOODe and fresh Indiana summer tomato is supposed to taste like.

So, during the winter my tastebuds are uber bummed at the lack of flavor in the typical tomatoes I can find…

That was until I discovered that grape/cherry tomatoes often are far more flavorful than other tomatoes in the winter… but then I discovered campari tomatoes which are a bit bigger than cherry tomatoes and back a lot of yummy tomato flavor without the mealiness of the typical winter tomato.

Now they are a bit more in the budget department, but they are hands down my favorite splurge in the grocery cart and my salads are much happier with a flavorful tomato on board.

Top It Off

Adding a sprinkle of your favorite cheese and a crunchy crouton or a crumble or two of bacon go a long way to making those greens come to life.

We like to add some fresh Parmesan shavings and some garlic croutons to ours.

Others like to add dried cranberries and almond slices or toasted walnuts…

And, for you bacon lovers out there, the pre-cooked bacon slices in the bacon section at the grocery store allow you to  whip  up a couple slices for your salad in mere seconds.

Share Your Secret

Do you have a great salad dressing recipe or tip that keeps your family eating their greens? Do share?