*If you like recipes like these be sure to stop by my new E-cookbook E-licious *
Do you ever run across a recipe or idea that you can’t get out of your head until you make it? Well, that’s this one here. Pure genius, plain and simple. Did I mention I love pinterest? Any-who, this idea comes from Fat girl trapped in a skinny body and it just stuck in my mind. I couldn’t get it out.
We all want to eat healthier and I happen to love a really good salad. These are easy to make on a Sunday night and eat throughout the week for a quick lunch or dinner. What I really love is that I use leftovers from the fridge to create unique and different salads for each jar. Leftover chicken, rice, cornbread, celery, carrots, broccoli, any combination that you enjoy, the sky’s the limit. They last for at least 4 days in the fridge, just shake and serve, or eat straight from the jar.
This vinaigrette really makes this salad, I want to pour it over my cereal in the morning. Ok, so maybe I am exaggerating a bit, but trust me, make the vinaigrette!
Balsamic Vinaigrette: 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1-2 tablespoons water (more or less depending on the consistency you want), 2 tablespoons honey (can be replaced with agave or brown sugar), 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 32 Oz Jar
In a small jar or blender, mix all the ingredients. This recipe makes enough for two salads, but it can easily be doubled or tripled.
Olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette
water, I used 1 tablespoon
honey,
salt and pepper.
Put the lid on and shake.
Really well, for a few minutes, or blend for about 30 seconds.
Next up prep all your salad ingredients: for this I used, 1/4 cup onion, 1/4 cup bell pepper, 1/2 cup mushrooms, 1 cup tomatoes,1 cup chopped chicken, and 2 big handfuls of mixed green salad.
Simply layer in 2 tablespoons of the dressing then onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, tomatoes, chicken and salad greens. It is important the salad greens and dressing don’t mix. Also, it’s good for the onion and pepper to be in the dressing to help them marinate.
To serve simply shake until mixed well and eat straight from the jar or pour onto a plate.
So what will you put in your salad in a jar?
Print This RecipeSalad in a Jar
Adapted by Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body
Salad:
Makes 2 salads in 32 oz jars1 cup cubed chicken
2 big handfuls mixed greens
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/4 red onion, diced
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
4 tbsp balsamic vinaigretteBalsamic Vinaigrette
Recipe from Creative Kitchen Adventures3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1-2 tbsp water (more or less depending on the consistency you want)
2 tbsp honey (can be replaced with agave or brown sugar)
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepperPlace all ingredients into a small lidded jar. Or blend all ingredients in a blender for 30 seconds. Anything with a lid works well. Shake to mix thoroughly. Stores in fridge for 1-2 weeks.
Layer the ingredients in the jar as follows:
Balsamic Vinaigrette
onion
peppers
mushrooms
tomatoes
chicken
salad greensThe most important part of the layering is making sure the dressing and the salad greens(don’t touch. As long as they stay separate, these salads can be made up to 4 days in advance and will stay fresh in the fridge with a lid on. Easy to double this recipe and make lunch for all week.
This recipe is posted at Life As Mom
I saw this on Pinterest too and loved the idea too, but never tried it. I think you convinced me. I’m on it! Great pics!
Oh. My. God. This is brilliant!!! I love it!! One of the reasons I dread making salads is because it’s so time consuming to chop everything, blend everything, make the dressing. So I’m really loving this idea! In fact, I’m gonna pin it right now so I’ll have it handy (the dressing sounds really good!)
Geez, you must feel like I’m stalking to you today…LOL!
What beautiful salads! And I’m looking forward to that vinaigrette, too.
This is awesome! I love the idea of taking one of these to work, and then shaking just before you eat it… brilliant 🙂
I found this on pinterest too! love the make ahead:
http://bit.ly/vcvDaA
Blessings!
Loooooove your pictures and post! I’m a pinterest addict too. BIG TIME!
This looks lovely. What a great idea for transporting salad to work or traveling. I’ve shared this on my The Everybody Eats Gourmet facebook page. Thanks for posting!
I love this idea!! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!
What a great idea! Remember those McSalad Shakers??? That’s what it reminds me of, but easier and tastier!
I find that if I prepare things ahead of time, I’m much more likely to eat healthy. This is a great idea to add to my list! Thanks for sharing!
That is such a clever idea! Love your photos – they are beautiful. This could be such a time saver for packing lunches.
I do this in plastic bowls, but I love the idea of using a jar so much more. It’s gorgeous! I’m pinning!
🙂
ButterYum
LOVE IT! This would be awesome to take to someone for a meal also. Looks so good.:)
Isn’t it always the way! The most obvious ideas are the most brilliant! Thanks for sharing! — Joann
Hi Sweet Pea,
This is an awesome idea, I pinned it! Thank you so much for sharing your fabulous recipe with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great week end and please come back soon.
Miz Helen
Beautiful photos and your dressing looks amazing. You’re one of the featured posts this week. Thanks for linking up at A Little Nosh!
Awesome idea. Love it!
This is an amazing idea! Bookmarking it for my husband lunches too. Depending on the day, he leaves before the kids and I wake up and may not stop home between PT and work.
Thanks for linking up to Friday Food on Momtrends.com last week!
What a great idea. I would like to make up a few of these at a time to be able to grab a quick, healthy meal. Great pictures, too!
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you are having a great week and enjoy your new Red Plate!
Miz Helen
Mmm. Looks good. But I would put the chicken on the bottom and let it marinate. And maybe add some won ton strips at the top? I’m getting hungry!
Love it
I just saw this on Pinterest. How long will these keep?
They will keep 3-4 days in the fridge.
This is an incredible idea!!! I like to bring salads to work occasionally, but hate how I either wind up with limp lettuce, or a leaky dressing container. This is a perfect solution!! I am sharing this all over! Thank you.
I love this idea! I happened to see your link on another site and just had to check it out. I’m so glad I did. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Seems like the mushrooms would get slimy too. Did they?
@Rena Hearn, I haven’t had that problem, but if you think they will simply leave them out!
Yes, I have seen this idea on pinterest but they used a vacuum sealer to seal those jars shut. So are you saying you do this without the vacuum and does it still stay fresh?? Please let me know!!
Kim, yes they absolutely stay fresh for at least 4 days after making them, that’s as far out as I’ve eaten them. As long as you use fresh ingredients and layer them as directed. Let me know if you try them.
Have you tried this with ranch dressing or another kind not a vinegarette fan or maybe another kind of dressing
Sure Elaine, you can use homemade or store bought, which ever kind of dressing and salad items you would like. Just follow order of ingredients. And make sure lettuce doesn’t touch the dressing. Hope you try them and love them as much as I do.
So I never comment on things..ever…but for this I had to make an exception. I made this last night (I used cucumber in place of the mushrooms and romaine instead of mixed greens just because thats what I had on hand) I don’t have any mason jars with lids so I used a ziplock 32oz jar..thing..not to sure what it is..anyway.. I’m eating this right now as I’m typing this and O M G! one of the best salads I have ever made and the dressing is AMAZING. It is definitely my new go-to dressings. And the fact that all the layers look pretty makes me want to eat it even more! Thank you!!!
i found this on pintrest.. made 4.. had to eat 2 because it was SOOOO good… Thanks so much for sharing!!!