When we think of salads we think of those that are light and fresh from the garden – they combine leafy lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers, fresh herbs and all the bounty of the summer. But don’t stop eating salads just because your garden has been put to bed for the Winter. Instead, try using some cool weather alternatives to make salads that are rich in healthy greens and other fruits of the season. After all, Autumn brings its own wonderful variety of seasonal vegetables and is a wonderful time to experiment with those flavors. You can combine them with lean protein to make a meal. And they make great brown bag alternatives to sandwiches!
We’ve tapped Bon Appétit and Whole Living for inspiration and created several delicious ideas for healthy cool weather salads:
- Combine baby spinach leaves with diced Anjou pears, chopped dried figs, crumbled blue cheese, and spiced pecans. Toss with a Sherry vinaigrette. Layer thin slices of lean grilled beef on top.
- Mix bibb lettuce, a diced Macintosh apple, diced celery, sliced almonds and grilled chicken. Add low-fat buttermilk dressing.
- Chop hearts of Romaine lettuce, layer on a thinly sliced hard-boiled egg, light Caesar croutons and shaved parmesan. Drizzle with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
- Start with mixed greens. Toss with cold sliced beets and cooked lentils; add walnuts and crumbled gorgonzola. Add a small slice of cold, poached salmon and drizzle with your favorite vinaigrette.
Take the time to experiment – mix and match any green, veggies, fruit, nuts and other protein to create your own favorite.