Restaurant salads are tricky devils. They entice you into thinking that you are making a healthy choice, but in reality you are most likely picking one of the highest calorie meals on the entire menu. It is shocking that some of these salads provide almost half of our daily recommended calories. I am here to say it is possible to have a healthier and delicious salad.
Step number 1: The Base. Skip out on that watery iceberg, its severely lacking in any essential nutrients. Try to opt for dark leafy greens, we should be eating a half a cup every day! A great option is kale; it provides texture and depth while packing a high Vitamin C punch. Reproductive women out there: dark leafy greens are especially important to you. They are rich in folate, a vitamin that is integral in proper fetal development.
Step number 2: The Dressing. We do not want dressing with a hint of salad. Instead try and keep the amount of dressing on your salad to a minimum, as this is normally where most of the calories will come from. The Green Goddess dressing is amazingly delicious, it is a lighter version of the often heavy caesar dressing. It is tangy, herby, and slightly creamy and the brightness pairs perfectly with the deep kale.
Step number 3: Build it. It is important to keep your salad interesting, you do not want to get bored after your second bite. You can add fresh vegetables, seeds, fruits, and do not forget about protein. The key to this salad is in the fingers. Massaging kale is a real thing, and you should do it! It helps loosen the tough kale while also rubbing the delicious flavour into the leaves. I added cherry tomatoes, home made croutons, and a boiled egg to complete my healthy and delicious salad. But remember, you can add whatever you like!
[kindred-recipe id=”1536″ title=”Kale Caesar Salad with Green Goddess Dressing”]