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It’s six o’clock. You’re making dinner after a long day of staying inside and procrastinating on all your assignments. You put your chicken nuggets in the oven, pour yourself your eighth cup of coffee, and you’re deciding between ketchup or sriracha mayo when suddenly you realize you haven’t eaten a plant all day. You want a salad? Here’s how to make a salad you want — with whatever you happen to have around.
Prep time: 10-20 mins. Serves: 1-4
Ingredients:
A base. This can be greens, beans, or anything in between — have a bunch of veggies in the crisper threatening to start rotting before you feel like eating them? Cut them up. There’s no rule that says your salad has to include leaves.
A crunch. Croutons, nuts, corn chips, or tortilla strips — the world is your oyster. To make your own croutons, spread both sides of some bread with butter, mayo, or oil, and sprinkle with seasoning salt or garlic powder. Bake at 350 F until they’re dry and crunchy, but not burned. If you’re cooking to impress, candy your nuts with some melted brown sugar and butter in a nonstick skillet.
A fruit. For sweetness and texture, add a fruit. I like strawberries, blackberries, or sliced apples. Clementine sections are another great option. The only fruit I wouldn’t recommend for this is banana, but you do you.Â
A creamy thing. While not necessary, a creamy element can help balance your salad if you’re using a vinegar dressing. If you eat cheese, add a sprinkling. If not, a little avocado can go a long way. If both of those are out of your price range, a roasted veggie like eggplant, carrot, or even a humble potato can fill in.Â
A protein. Protein isn’t essential to a salad, but it can help turn it into a meal. Beans, lunch meat, boiled eggs, canned tuna, and marinated tofu are all quick proteins that can flesh out a big bowl of veggies.Â
A dressing. I have absolutely nothing against a store-bought dressing, but sometimes you just don’t have any around. For a vinaigrette, use a flavourful oil like olive or sesame and any vinegar (though plain white vinegar may be a little aggressive). I like to use a blend of rice, apple cider, and red wine vinegar. To make a Caesar dressing, mix mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, pepper, a tiny bit of mustard, and a dash of soy, worcestershire, or HP sauce — plus parmesan cheese, if you have it.Â
Method:
1)Mix it all together.Â
2)Enjoy!
