They Call Me the Salad Lady (Part One)
It’s probably no secret by now that I love my vegetables. I’ll eat them pretty much in any form, whether it be in soups, sandwiches, pastas, or straight-up, in all their no-frills glory. However, perhaps the most common way in which I enjoy these little gems of the earth is in a salad. I have much experience in the salad world: I have likely sampled every single salad available on Duke’s campus, and I am almost certain that I have eaten at least a salad-a-day for the past 5 years of my life. With all this time spent preparing and munching my greens, I have moved beyond the typical (and often unsatisfying) lettuce and tomato medley. Indeed, my preferred salad combinations feature not only copious amounts of vegetables but also hefty quantities of satiating fat and protein. Here are a few of my favorites:
Greek Salads
Greek salads these days are seemingly ubiquitous; it is rare to visit a restaurant and not see a Mediterranean-inspired salad item on the menu. While some are quite delicious, I prefer to make my own at home with my favorite ingredients:
- Romaine lettuce
- artichoke hearts (from frozen or fresh)
- tomatoes
- cucumber
- cooked chickpeas, hummus, or falafel
- olives
- cottage cheese
- toasted pita
- dill, oregano, and any other desired spices
Greek Salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, artichokes, Rachel's Cucumber Dill Cottage Cheese, & chickpeas
Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, steamed onions, cottage cheese, & Ellie Krieger's Baked Falafel
Greek salad with artichoke hearts, olives, cottage cheese, & chickpeas
Asparagus-Tofu Salad
I originally derived the inspiration for the this combination from Rachael Ray’s Asparagus Salad. Her version did not include tofu, of course, but I think it makes for a delicious and filling addition.
- Butter lettuce
- orange segments
- cubed tofu, sauteed in soy sauce, ginger, & garlic
- steamed asparagus
- cashews (or peanuts)
Taco Salads
When I was assembling my tag cloud last week, I realized that I eat a lot of taco salads. It’s no wonder why though–who doesn’t love the magnificent melange of spicy beans, salsa, avocado, and maybe a little cheese? If you’d like even more examples of my past taco salad creations, check out my archives.
- Romaine lettuce
- baked tortilla chips (preferably blue corn!)
- black beans, kidney beans, refried beans, or leftover chili
- tomatoes
- steamed onions
- bell peppers
- tofu sour cream
- salsa
- avocado or guacamole
- sunflower or pumpkin seeds
Taco Salad with baked Tostitos, tomatoes, black beans, tofu sour cream, salsa, & sunflower seeds
Taco Salad with homemade tortilla chips, tomatoes, chili, steamed onions, avocado, & light Colby-Jack cheese
Taco Salad with baked blue corn chips, tomatoes, pinto beans, guacamole, & salsa
Clearly, these salads represent a mere sample of my salad adventures…there are sure to be multiple editions of the Salad Lady. What are some of your go-to salad combinations?
Filed under: Feature Post, Recipe
Hello and welcome! I have created this blog for people who love food, especially healthful, vegetarian food.
I currently attend college in North Carolina, where I am studying English and psychology, although I plan on pursuing an additional degree in nutrition after I graduate. Ideally, I would like to combine my love of food and the written word someday as a health writer.
Oh Caroline, I love you for posting this! I have a whole week’s worth of inspirations!
Your salads look amazing! I especially love the Mediterranean salads because those are some of my favorites to make! I also like to make Asian ones, where I put stir-fried veggies and chicken/tofu on greens, and top with a peanut sauce/dressing. Thanks for the ideas
My go-to salad combinations = S&M salad from One Lucky Duck (greens, hempseeds, dulse, raw crackers, EVOO, flax oil); “add-on” salad inspired by Gena (greens, dulse, avocado, EVOO, flax oil).
I actually had a lovely salad at lunch today: spring greens mix, chopped apple, golden raisins, walnuts . . . sprinkled straight with cinnamon and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. It was amazing! Who would’ve thought sprinkling cinnamon on a salad would taste so good?
I love all the salads you listed
Wonderful post! Also, I sent you an email on your brochut account
you are officially guest posting on Around the World in 340 Days! Thanks again!
greek salads are my fav
my go-to is always and forever going to include salsa! and tons of veggies
I just love salads! Great post!
I eat at least one giant salad each day too. my mix: any raw veggies that I happen to have on hand + dulse + hemp seeds + nutritional yeast + some raw nuts or seeds + a dressing of hot sauce, Bragg’s and apple cider vinegar. fresh or dried fruit, maybe some flax, avocado or guac, salsa, might be in the mix too.
My go to salad I think just got changed up b/c now I have my spiralizer and I think everything is gonna be buried in a bed of zuke noodles for awhile. BUt I can mix up the dressings. I just posed this question a couple days ago on my blog and got some fresh dressing (homemade, vegan) ideas. Veggies I never get sick of on my salads are either brock or brussles, cauli, red/orange/yellow peppers, cukes, and tomatoes & carrots. I can just play w/ the dressing and those combo of veggies and pretty much eat for a decade
Thx for posting your faves, always inspiring to look at others’ creations!
I love the idea of asparagus, tofu, and cashews! I need to try that now
oooh! i love the asparagus tofu salad!! yummy
yum yum
i love marinated tomatoes and cukes in balsamic, on spinache
Mmm I LOVE Greek salads. My best friend used to own a Greek diner and I seriously used to eat them every single day. My go to salad is apples-craisin-walnut-feta!
these are really yummy salad combos! much more creative than mine which is simply lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, celery and avocado.
And to think I’ve sworn off salads. You’re making me crave them again, Caroline!
Hm. For me, it’s gonna be: romaine lettuce and mixed greens. Candied nuts. Good stinky cheese like goat’s cheese. grilled fruits. red onions. grilled veggies. NO dressing, ew!
I forgot BACON!
Yum!! I’ve just recently became in love with salads and all of their different varieties! I love taco salads and my most recent favorite is with salsa, chicken, and a cheese stick. Simple but delicious!
Your salads always have the perfect flavor combos and are gorgeous!
These days i’m having a sort of salad rut (gasp), so this is perfect! My usual combo is salsa, hummus, sometimes BBQ sauce, lots of veggies, and eggs. Not even close to your wonderful combos!
great salads. and of course, i love the garbanzos with cottage cheese!
I LOVE taco salads! I don’t eat them often enough but they’re fabulous!
I make salads with fruits and veggies that are on sale. Usually, romaine lettuce, tomato, red onions, goat cheese, hummus, salsa, alfalfa sprouts, crunchy grapes and sliced strawberries and prosciutto. Maybe avocado when I get a good deal. Yum
[...] to the apartment, with hair all a-frizz and feet a-shivering, I was ready for some grub. I used my salad lady prowess to make a taco salad. It was good but not nearly as good as it would have been with fresh [...]
I highly recommend adding mango to one of your taco salads – takes it to a whole other level of yum
And I’m partial to adding corn kernals as well.