Big decisions and Salad in a Jar

Apr 30, 2012 by abbie

Oh, oh, oh, how I hate making big decisions. I hate being forced to plan months in advance. I barely know what I’m going to be doing in a week, no less in August! And everything costs money, money, money! Why! Why can’t we live in a world of bartering where I can smile and you will give me what I want? It worked when I was 4! Anyway, because so much is going on in Abbie Land, I’m in need of a simple lunch and a simpler post. So here we are, Salads in a Jar!

Salads, like lentils, are one of those meals that I don’t think of making at home very often but always enjoy after I’m eating them (provided of course it’s a “good” salad and not just lettuce on a plate.) And while salads really make good lunches in theory, the reality of getting a salad, with all the “good” fixings, and the dressing to work without bringing my whole kitchen in the process has always proved too much for me to think through in the morning. That is, until now.

I saw this somewhere online, maybe on pinterest or something, I don’t really remember, but it immediately caught my eye as a cool thing for several reasons. First, it’s in a glass mason jar. I love me some glass mason jars and use them for just about everything. They are just so handy, classic, and don’t have nasty plastic toxins that are secretly leaking into my food. Score. Second, I like this concept because it allows me to put all of my salad toppings and the lettuce into one container while still keeping the lettuce crisp. Yes, it is possible. Third, it just looks cool, no?

So, here’s the trick: proper layering.

Dressing goes in first because it is obviously the most wet.
Second goes any wet toppings, fruit or watery veggies like cucumbers.
Next goes dryer toppings like cheeses, meats, and nuts. With the driest topping the closest to the lettuce.
Lastly layer in your lettuce and seal it shut!

Because I tend to like lots of “toppings”, I find that by the time I’m ready to put the lettuce in I’m getting close to the top. So, I stuff my lettuce in pretty tightly then when I want to eat it dump the whole thing into a large bowl and mix. However, if you have more self-control than I, you can leave some room at the top and simply shake the whole thing up and eat it right out of the jar. Awesome for a picnic.

TIP: It warrants saying that the key is to keep the wet stuff away from the lettuce. If you are careless with the jar and allow it to roll around your car on the way to work, it kind of defeats the purpose and you will have soggy lettuce. Consider yourself warned.

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MAC