Tossed Salad: It's Not Just For Prison Any More!

 This year we are participating in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share through Echollective Farm. As expected, we've been buried in the overflowing bounty of fresh, organic greens. SJM:"What are we having for dinner" 
ME: "Salad!"
Repeat every day for three weeks.

My first order of business was to re-invent the salad game (not affiliated with The Game)- having salad every night for our main course calls for variation. Following is an unproven, unaccredited method for preparing a delicious, nutritious salad based meal. It smells good too(It might not smell that good.)!

BASE: 
Choose at least one of these: A light, leafy green lettuce

• Spring greens
• Baby greens mix
• Lettuce mix
• Romaine

Mix with at least one of these: A dark, leafy green or cabbage

• Spinach
• Kale
• Romaine
• Cabbage
• Arugula
• Watercress

Protein: Choose a main protein source, add at least one:

• Beans - pinto, black, chickpea, etc.
• Tempeh
• Quinoa
• Tofu
• Squash
• Meat - a lean meat such as turkey or chicken, the size of a deck of playing cards is one serving
• Fish - Wild Caught Alaskan Salmon, tuna, etc. (same serving size as above)
• Mushrooms - cooked shiitake or a portabella cap, etc.

 Add the rainbow! Mix and Match:

• Avocado
• Artichoke
• Peppers
• Edamame
• Tomatoes
• Peas
• Green Beans
• Corn
• Olives
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Corn
• Beets
• Potatoes
• Squash
• Sprouts
• Celery
• Cucumbers
• ANY VEGGIES

Crunch and nutrition boosters:  

• Nuts - almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, peanuts
• Seeds - toasted sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, poppy seeds
• Nori (dried seaweed)

 Optional - LIMITED small amounts:

• Dried fruits - cherries, cranberries, raisins, figs, blueberries
• Fresh fruit - apple, pear, orange slices, papaya
• Tips: These are tasty, but high in sugar and low(er) in nutritional value. Use sparingly!

Dressing:

• Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice 
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Sea salt
• A small amount of oil (1 TBS) - olive, walnut, safflower
• Balsamic vinegar
• Tips - Dressing can add a lot of calories so stick to the recommended serving size
  

 Special treats:

• Cheese - small amount, DUH! Maytag Blue is a household favorite
• Raw food crackers
• Hard or soft boiled egg (a good source for protein)

Lettuce & Greens Heimlich (Wait...What? We're Not Calling it That Anymore?) Maneuver: Thrifty Midwesterners won't relegate anything to the melted, wet, decomposing lettuce death drawer!

• To revive wilted lettuce or greens: place in an ice water bath (50/50 ratio) for at least 30 minutes - you can leave the whole shebang in the fridge overnight as well. Drain or spin; store in a loose, open plastic bag or special vented vegetable container or use.

This is the CSA I belong to: http://echollectivecsa.blogspot.com/

**Hey, I'm not a nutritionist, dietician or medical doctor. Never said I was, so don't be a jagoff. These are my personal opinions, only.**