salad tips

[Sara Noel]

What do you add to your green salads that is frugal and tasty? As an example, I often add black olives or diced leftover ham.

[Katybird]

Sunflower seeds, shredded carrots, radishes.

[yonksgirl]

Home made croutons!

[Laurie in Bradenton]

Whateers leftover. Sometime ham or steak. Sometimes different hunks of cheese. Also sliced boiled eggs. I open the refrig and see whats leftover and on it goes.

Lauire in Bradenton

[McD]

Pepperonis!

Oh sometimes, after we have grilled chicken seasoned with lemon pepper, I dice up the leftover chicken and turn it into chicken caesar salad.

[lwlynch]

I also put mine in a bowl with a lid, add dressing and shake..covers everything, and didn't have to use alot.

[Darlene]

By using strong flavored cheese you only need a little bit to get big wow taste. My salad fav's are feta & blu cheese.

Make your own croutons from bread that's about to go by. Just cube, spray or toss with olive oil adding any spices you want like garlic & parsley. Put them into a 300º oven tossing every now & then til crisp. Store well sealed in zip lock bag or air tight canister.

Add color & taste with a little fruit. Apples, oranges, dried cranberries all go great in salads. Use what's in season or in the marked down bin for extra savings.

If you dress your salad before serving you will use less dressing.

Speaking of dressing, make your own. It really only takes moments and you save big. With you making it on your own you know exactly what's in it.

[powerfm1]

I use dried cranberries and walnuts and dress with a soy sauce and balsamic vinegar dressing. It is really good.

[Edna_E]

Boy, everything seems expensive lately, but I like the following:
Green lettuce. green onions, avocado, radishes, a few mushrooms, black olives, cucumber, jalepeno (chopped very small), bell and/or red peppers, and zucchini. Then I make salad dressing with olive oil, plain yogurt, tahini, a small amount of balsamic vinegar, and a couple of drops of hot sauce. It makes for a spicy-hot salad, which goes great with bread and cheese, or with canned tuna or salmon, or pretty much any fairly plain meat.

[JessicaP]

Yum you all made me hungry for a salad!

I put mushrooms, carrots, peppers, cheese, any meat I may have on hand, onions, and whatever else I can find in my fridge.

[shoiji]

Usually just lettuce, onion, smoked cheese, avocado, and beans. If I have other things to put on it I will. Smashed garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dressing.

There are some good flavor combos on this thread I will need to try.

[Libby]

I love eating various kinds of salad (when out) but when it boils down to my homemade version: mixed baby greens, diced cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes. Sometimes I may add cubed cheese (feta or blue if Im feeling fancy), canned salmon/tuna, ham, onions for variety. I like it plain - no croutons LOL.

[forHISglory]

I love salads! Peel and section a grapefruit and/or orange (tangerine or other citrus fruits work, too). Squeeze some of the fruit for the juice to be used in the dressing. Toss the citrus sections into the greens, along with a handful of nuts. We like almond slivers or walnuts. For the dressing, use the citrus juice and a bit of olive oil. I put in a little splenda, also, along with a dash of salt and pepper. Shake well and toss with the greens/citrus. Very refreshing!

[HandyMom]

Garbanzo or black beans, Parmesan cheese, cabbage, radishes, raw broccoli and cauliflower are add-ins if we have them and I take a carrot and use a peeler to make slices to add to salad.