I usually make my lunch for work in the mornings while my bread is toasting.
It isn’t hard to fling something together but I still don’t like the rushing around.
I saw something recently that really caught my eye. A make ahead salad that you just grab and go.
How simple is this and yet it is also clever.
You start with a large canning jar and put your dressing in the bottom.
Next layer something that doesn’t absorb the dressing like tomatoes.
Add some more layers. Next time I will be adding some cooked quinoa grains but the choices are unlimited. I have Feta cheese in this one along with the tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, red peppers and spring greens
Just remember to leave the green leafy vegetables for the top row to keep them away from the dressing so as not to wilt them.
When you are ready to eat it you just tip it over and pour it out on a plate and the dressing follows.
At least mine will because it is just oil and vinegar.
If you use a thicker dressing I would tip it over about 15 minutes before you are going to eat it to give the dressing time to mingle.
Now this is supposed to last for 5 days in the fridge so I should be good until Friday. I will let you know if this is an epic fail but I am hopeful that the vegies will stay just as fresh in my jars as they would any where else in the fridge.
I am left to wonder if you need to poke holes in the top. . .. . . veggies like to breathe in the fridge. . .. don't they. . .. you can't tell because the light turns off when you are not looking.
ReplyDeleteBill M.
You may have a good point there Bill. I could just leave the lids off. I don't want to poke holes because they are perfectly good sealing lids. This week will be the test phase then I can tweak the storage if tomorrows salad is not as crisp.
DeleteI always took pasta and cheese with a lot of butter and other rich sauces, along with bread. Can you tell I am on a low carb diet right now? sheesh
ReplyDeleteI love this idea and am definitely going to try it, especially like the feta cheese ingredient.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully done...and it looks so tasty!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these exquisite photos and the great idea of the salad in the jar. Love this.
What a great idea! Almost makes me wish I was going back to work - not!
ReplyDeleteHey Lori, that looks delish! I have seen those on Pinterest quite a lot lately...they do look good.
ReplyDeleteNow about that little heart on your sidebar, it's being very well behaved today...it appeared on the top of the post, and followed me as I scrolled down.
And there it is just in the upper left hand corner, well behaved, and happily waiting for me...so what ever you did it seems to work.
Of course I am not moving down to far, don't want to push the thing to much beyond good behaviour.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Sweet pictures! And a nice idea -- great picnic food, too. I shudder to think of sending my husband off with one of these for his lunch . . . he can spot a silk tie with a peanut butter sandwich, so imagine what he'd do with one of these salads.
ReplyDeleteBut this is something that can work for at-home, too, as I always plan to have a decent lunch, and end up not -- I can put this together early, and there it is!
That's a snazzy heart gizmo you have on the side there. You are WAY ahead of me in technology. I still try and change the TV with the cordless phone, and answer the remote.
Hope all is well with you, Lori! I've been busy with sick and aging relatives the last few weeks. Months? Something like that.
Did you take those pictures outside? The lighting is great.
Cass
Neat idea indeed! And like everyone else here, it looks yummy! :) Im thinking you do need to let some air in though, they'll wilt if you dont!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
What a great idea. They look really good.
ReplyDeleteI saw this a while back...and promptly forgot about it. It must be my age! Anyway, I'm going to try it; sounds like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fab idea! Just need a handbag the size of a suitcase to carry it in!! LOL xx
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! I'm adopting this one right away. I usually have to package my dressing separately.
ReplyDeleteI read it all but there are no nuts. Walnuts would work!
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure the nuts would get soggy. They absorb the moisture. I do love them in salads but would bring them in a separate container to add last minute.
DeleteI love this idea. As soon as I need to go somewhere for lunch, I'm using it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing a great idea. I'm looking forward to the results of your tests this week!
ReplyDelete