With the many bites of delicious peanut butter I’ve been eating lately, I figured it was time to up my veggies. And what better way to do that than to make an enormous salad beast containing every color from the rainbow! (Don’t worry peanut butter, I’ll always have room for you. And YOU still have time to enter the PB Crave giveaway!)
Step 1: Start with a base. I’m not so much a romaine, iceberg, mixed greens, or any of the typical salad lettuce bases kind of gal. I have nothing against them, and love ordering them when out, I just never make those types of salads at home. I prefer to start with a bag of broccoli cole slaw. The particular bag I use is from my local grocery and contains hearts of broccoli, carrots, and red cabbage.
Step 2: Load up with the colors of the rainbow! I use whatever I have on hand, really paying attention to incorporating a variety of colors. Last night I used 2 red peppers, 2 large carrots, 1 cob of corn, 2 stalks of celery, 1 green pepper, 1 apple, a handful of raisins, and a bunch of sunflower seeds. And itz always more fun to make it look pretty!
Step 3: Make your own dressing. Most store-bought salad dressings are laden with fat and high fructose corn syrup (especially the creamy versions). Yuck. Making your own is much healthier, just as easy, and probably more cost-effective. I always start with an avocado, mash it up, then add other ingredients. Last night included: 1/2 cup of plain nonfat yogurt, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon lime juice, dash of garlic powder, a little fresh pepper, and a few squirts of sriracha (we like it hot!). It doesn’t look very pretty, but it does taste good – I promise!
Step 4: Mix it all up and WA-LAH! You’ve got yourself a nutritious, colorful salad beast! I make such a large portion that it suffices for dinner, and several lunches.
Usually, I would make sure there is some type of protein source in there. We did have sunflower seeds which adds a little protein, but most of the time I add beans or a lean meat. Last night, we had leftover meat for our dinner and the salad was just a side. It was Jonny-approved though!
What are your favorite colorful foods for salads?
that looks delicious, I love getting creative with salads, it makes me want to eat one everyday!
Me too! That’s the best thing about making huge portions.. I CAN eat them everyday!
I always make my own dressings too. I haven’t gotten around to getting any apple cider vinegar, what else do you use it for?
I really love acv in water with a little lemon or orange sweetener.. so good and lots of benefits!
I love using artichokes, asparagus, olives, carrots, egg plant, and a dozen other veggies. I use hummus as a base for my homemade salad dressing and the flavor profile is amazing.
Hummus is a great idea for a dressing!
I love all the colorful toppings! I love sunflower seeds in my salads! It’s the perfect crunch! I also love some fruit in there for sweetness!
Agreed!
Great Salad! I love a little crunch, a little smoothness, a little sweet and tart too:) Happy Tuesday – thanks for sharing!
Yes – me too!
wow hunnie
your salad dressing sounds incredible! I alwayyyys make my own too! If I see a salad dressing that I would like to try from a store, I will just look at the ingredients and recreate it on my own 
Tricky huh babe?;) hehehehe
My favourite salad addition is DEFINITELY avocado
But some others are:
- purple cabbage
- red onion (grilled especially!!!!)
- goat cheese
- tomatoes
- capers
- dill
<3
love you like a sister!
YUMM!! Those are all awesome additions!! That’s such a good idea to look at the ingredient list on bottled salad dressing … so smart you are!
That looks AWESOME!
I do need to make my own dressing. I should put that on my ‘bucket’ list for stuff to do SOON! Hah. I LOVE broccoli slaw. SO good. I also love bits of a good, rich cheese, bell peppers, and berries. YUMM.
Haha! Ooooh yes, bell peppers, berries, and a good choose is a fantastic addition!
That looks awesome! It is SO colorful!!
Love Love Love this!! I need to get better about making my own dressings! Liking the avocado as the base
It’s so good! You’ve got to try it!
It’s been way too long since I’ve picked up broccoli slaw at the supermarket. You salad looks great and that dressing sounds amazing!
Broccoli slaw is such a nice change from the same ol’ same ol’ lettuce!
ohh i have been looking for some easy to make dressings this is awesome! pinning!
Good! It is super easy and you can change it up so easily!
It may not be very colorful, but I love a spinach salad with strawberries and walnuts (balsamic dressing). Strawberries can also be replaced with dried cranberries. NOM NOM NOM
That is colorful – green & red helloooooo!! I love spinach strawberry salads!!
Yum!! I just bought some broccoli slaw and I’m never sure how to make up the dressing so thanks for the tips!
Very nice!! Broccoli slaw is the perfect thing to spruce up a salad!
Oh yummy. That fruit is just what I need right now!
I love a little bit of fruit in my salads!
Mmmm.. that salad looks delicious, and even though it’s 5:40am… i’m kinda/sorta drooling over it!! After seeing that masterpiece, i’m not sure i’ll be able to hold off on breakfast for another hour!!
Haha well enjoy!
Pingback: Itz WIAW! | Itz Linz
Holy yum. I love anything with this much color
THIS ONE IS VERY PRETTY, I CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE THIS MYSELF… THANKS FOR SHARING IT WITH ME….
I just came across your blog and LOVE it. This rainbow salad is right up my alley, or as I say “Eva-Friendly”. I also am on board with the creamy avocado dip and dressing you made. Another Trader Joe’s trip is definitely in order tonight
Yay!!
Pingback: Guest Post : Itz Linz | Mostly Fitness
Pingback: TV Planks | Itz Linz
Pingback: Peanut Flour Pancake | Itz Linz
Pingback: Farmer’s Market Fresh Rainbow Salad | Itz Linz
Pingback: STL Bloggers, Run, Kids, Food | Itz Linz
I am ALLLL about the rainbow salads! The colors are so beautiful, and the flavor is always that much deeper. I never know how to dress my salads, though. I can’t wait to try your suggestion!