Salads have become a beloved choice for those looking to eat healthier. Salads get a bad reputation in the taste department, but what if we told you it didn’t have to be this way?
We realize not everyone is a “salad person.” We are here to convince you differently. Salads can be just as tasty as your favorite sandwich or stir-fry. It’s all about your ingredients.
Here is the ultimate guide for healthy salad recipes that will take your tastebuds on a flavorful journey.
Why Eat Salads?
Salads are often promoted as healthy meals, but what makes them healthy? There are multiple benefits that this dish can give your body.
Versatility
Want a quick and easy breakfast to eat before heading to work? Or are you looking for a small snack to eat on break? Perhaps, you need a filling lunch or a side dish for dinner?
Due to their simple meal prep, compact nature, and reasonable shelf life, salads are a go-to for any time of day.
Hydration
The high levels of water in salad veggies can improve your body's hydration. Proper hydration nourishes your skin and improves some basic bodily functions. While you can’t swap out a salad for your daily water intake, an extra boost of hydration never hurt anybody.
Source Of Healthy Fats
Thanks to the versatile nature of salads, you can use any combination of toppings you want. For example, you can place sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, and any other raw or roasted seeds on top of your salad. These seeds add a good intake of fats to your meal.
Adding oils– like sunflower oil –– to your healthy salad dressing can also increase the number of fats in your dish.
Avocado slices, tomatoes, and sauerkraut can bring a whole new dynamic to your meal. Not only do they increase the nutritional levels of your salad, but you can make your dish taste even better.
Rich In Fiber
Vegetables contain one of the most critical carbohydrates for your body: fiber. Fiber can provide the body with significant advantages. This includes:
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Controlled blood sugar levels
- Smoother bowel movements
Healthy Salad Recipes
At Cleveland Kitchen, we understand that not everyone loves salads. By incorporating exciting ingredients with varied textures and flavor profiles, you can create a salad you will love!
Our fermented foods will play a key role in creating a meal that makes your mouth water and stomach growl for more.
Gut Healthy Summer Salad
Two factors that form a perfect summer are relaxation and good food. If you’re not in school or taking some time off from work, you have the relaxation part covered. Our Gut Healthy Summer Salad covers the good food.
By combining vegetables, protein, and our healthy salad dressing recipe, you have the formula for a tasty salad.
To bring this dish to the next level, we advise you to add our Classic Caraway Sauerkraut. This beauty can turn your salad into a fermented masterpiece by introducing traditional Bavarian flavor, a fresh crunch, and a robust acidic note into the mix.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups Green leaf lettuce
- 1 Hard-boiled egg
- 1/4 cup Cherry tomato
- 3 tbsp Red onion diced
- 1/4 Avocado sliced
- 2 1/2 tbsp Classic Caraway Sauerkraut
- 1 tbsp Red pepper flakes
- Ground pepper
- 2 tbsp of any Cleveland Kitchen Fermented Salad Dressing
- 1 handful Tortilla chips, optional
How To:
- Combine all ingredients in a large salad bowl and toss.
- Serve with a handful of tortilla chips if desired for some added crunch!
Chickpea Salad Sandwich
Can’t seem to pick between salads and sandwiches? Try creating a scrumptious Chickpea Salad Sandwich!
Chickpeas are an excellent source of protein, insoluble and soluble fiber, iron, and polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
If you want to make a flawless Chickpea Salad Sandwich, consider adding our Classic Caraway. It can bring a distinct tanginess to this meal and make your tastebuds feel like they’re in paradise.
Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/3 cup Classic Caraway
- 1/3 cup finely chopped celery stalk
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onions
- 2 tbsp. vegan mayo
- 4 slices whole-grain bread, toasted
- 1/4 ripe avocado, sliced (for topping, optional)
- Spinach or lettuce
How To:
- Add the chickpeas to the food processor and process until broken up. Do not smooth or mash the chickpeas with a potato masher, until almost all of the beans are broken down.
- Add the Classic Caraway, celery, onion, and mayo.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
- Toast bread slices. Spread as much chickpea salad mixture as you'd like on the bottom slice.
- Add sliced avocado and spinach on top of your chickpea salad.
- Top with toasted slices of bread.
A Healthy Salad Can Still Be Delicious!
Salads have always been associated with healthiness, but not so much with deliciousness. With this guide, we hope you learned how truly delectable a salad can be.
If you need help trying to improve your salad, Cleveland Kitchen offers fermented krauts, kimchi, and dressings. These can bring fresh, stand-out flavors to your salad and increase its nutritional value.
To learn more about Cleveland Kitchen’s mission to bring fermented foods to the American diet, keep up with our weekly blog and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram to stay up to date with our world of fermented foods!