Who wants to begin cooking an elaborate, or even a not so elaborate, meal after a long day at the office? It seems the answer is not many. In his New York Times article, "Out of the Kitchen, Onto the Couch," writer Michael Pollan states that the average American spends just 27 minutes per day cooking. As the time that we spend on food preparation goes down, he writes, consumption of food goes up. Consumption of convenience food, or junk food, goes up as well. This is, of course, a slippery slope that leads to less than nutritious meals at best and obesity at worst. If you are busy, how can you avoid riding down this slope?
No Recipe Salads are Healthy, Quick and Easy
A salad as a meal is a quick and easy way to get the nutrients you need without slaving away in the kitchen. The following are some easy salad ideas that require no measuring spoons, pre-heated ovens, or fancy ingredients. Use the ideas directly from here or use them as inspiration to create a masterpiece of your own.
Many of these salads contain meats to provide you with protein. The next time you are baking fish or chicken, make an extra piece that you can throw on your salad the following day, or search your refrigerator for left-overs that you can incorporate in your salad tonight. Remember, though, that fresh ingredients will make your salad burst with flavor. If you are able, make a trip to your local Farmer's Market to choose seasonal vegetables that appeal to you.
Corn Crab Salad
On top of red leaf lettuce, heap crab, shredded carrots, steamed asparagus, and fresh corn cut from the cob (no need to cook). Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Arugula and Egg Salad
Arrange baby arugula on a dinner plate. Cut one hard boiled egg in quarters and place the slices on top of the arugula. Continue by topping your salad with fresh chopped tomatoes, sliced avocado, sliced almonds, and shredded pecorino romano cheese. Drizzle with olive oil or your favorite low-fat balsamic vinaigrette. Season with sea salt and pepper.
Olive Chicken Salad
Wash and dry fresh romaine lettuce. Place cut up leaves on plate or bowl. Sprinkle diced chicken breast, green olives, and almonds on top. Finally, finish off your salad with crumbled blue cheese. There are lots of great flavors in this salad. Don't drown them out with salad dressing. Drizzle with olive oil and season with sea salt and fresh pepper.
Strawberry Walnut Salad
Top cleaned, torn spinach with fresh strawberries, chopped onion and walnuts. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Complete this salad by tossing it with either a subtle olive oil or a sweeter dressing to bring out the flavor of the strawberries. If you like sweet dressings, you may want to try Brianna's Blush Wine Vinaigrette.
Shrimp Mango Salad
Top your mesculun greens with shrimp, sliced mango, and chopped celery and onion. Drizzle with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.
If you have time, saute your own shrimp in some olive oil, as it will have better flavor. Shrimp cooks quickly, so all you need is about 6 minutes to brown it over medium high heat. If you are in a hurry, though, you can easily grab a package of pre-cooked shrimp and use that.
Salmon Salad
Top arugula leaves with chopped salmon, tomato, and cucumber. Finely chop kalamata olives and sprinkle on top. Finish off your salad with feta cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. Season with sea salt and fresh pepper.
Fresh Salads Can Make Healthy Meals
Preparing healthy meals doesn't have to be a laborious task. Choose the freshest ingredients you can find and build a creation of your own. Be bold and enjoy the process: you can hardly go wrong with a load of fresh vegetables at your disposal.
You may also be interested in other quick and easy ideas for preparing healthy foods. Take a look at healthy picnic food and healthy preparation ideas for blueberries and strawberries.
 |
