I learned this from my chiropractor the other day. And thought it was way cool. I think you’ll love it!
First of all, I love Mason jars. I think they are pretty wonderful for lots of things.
This shelf in my pantry holds lots of Mason jars. Just ready to be filled with whatever my little heart desires.
I use them so much that I purchased a whole bunch more of them just the other day. Love these wide mouth jars! By the way, “Ball” is just another word for “Mason.” I use “Puffs” and not “Kleenex” too. I’m a rebel that way.
This shelf in my pantry holds all kinds of jars filled with beans, oatmeal, rice, more beans and cereal. So nice to see at a glance what’s on the shelf.
I use them for recipes – like this favorite salsa. Or homemade soups.
On to Salad in a Jar. This is just genius. Using Mason jars for salad. What a great idea!
I have worked for hours and hours trying to get this picture not to be sideways. This has never happened on the blog before. Please turn your head sideways to the right to view this one. I am tired of trying to fix it. And no, I did not pour the dressing in from that angle.
Now that we have that out of the way…. you start by making your favorite dressing and pouring it into the bottom of the jars. This favorite of mine is just 1/4 c balsalmic vinegar, 2/3 c olive oil, 1 tsp spicy brown mustard, a dash of tamari (soy sauce) and a little salt and pepper. Whisk it together and pour it into the bottom of the jars. You should have enough with that recipe for about 4 jars.
(And if the rest of my pictures end up sideways, you can just turn your computer on its side. Wait. Then you’d have to be able to read sideways. Technology. Don’t ya just love it?)
Chop up everything you want to put in your salad. I use any combination of veggies and fruits that I like. And I like them all! This time I used romaine lettuce, cukes, carrots, cauliflower, zucchini and avocado. You could throw in some diced chicken too. In other words anything. Seriously. Anything you like! For me, it’s anything I have in the fridge on salad making day.
Then you just layer everything up in the jar. Start with the heavy things in the bottom. The things that won’t get all wilty if they soak up some dressing. I started with the cukes and then added carrots and cauliflower.
See how pretty they are? Very colorful and appetizing. I ended with avocado and then strawberries on top. I know, I know. A strange combination. But I like absolutely anything in my salad! You could also throw in some raisins or craisins. And I would also love mandorin oranges. Or some smoked salmon. You get the idea. Just layer it up with whatever you like.
Here’s the good part. When you’re ready to have a salad, you just take the jar out of the fridge…..
And turn it upside down! All the dressing will run down over all those wonderful ingredients.
Give it a little shake too and get everything all mixed up and coated.
Then just dump the whole thing out onto a plate or into a bowl. This is actually a large serving bowl. Notice I made some guacamole too. I love my guac!
Salad in a jar. With a side of guacamole. Yum. And I ate the entire bowl. I’m going to have another one today.
And here’s the really, really, really, really, really best part. They keep forever in the fridge. And the lettuce doesn’t get brown. Well, maybe not forever, but at least a week! And I even cut my lettuce up with a knife – horrors! – instead of tearing it, the way they say you’re supposed to. And it’s not brown. Not even a little bit on the edges. My avocado didn’t get brown either! I know because I’m eating another one right this very minute. And those cukes that were soaking in that balsamic dressing for 3 days? Yum. By the way, the lid made a nice pop when I opened the jar. It sealed itself!
So easy to grab one when you want a big, healthy salad for lunch at your workplace. Nothing spills. Easily contained. Dressing and salad all in one place. Only have to dirty the kitchen one time for chopping and have salad for every day of the week. Fresh salad.
Salad in a Jar. Thanks to my chiropractor for the fabulous idea! Quick, go make one. Better yet, make five!
Off to figure out what I can put in those 7 other new jars…..
Barb
P.S. What was up with that one pic? No problem with any others. Any of you WordPress users have any ideas?
