Mason Jar Salads

Since my addiction to all things Pinterest has been growing, I kept seeing posts of these mason jar salads. I've been wanting to try them for a few weeks and I finally have my kitchen in a state where I can start cooking (sort of) again. I made enough for lunch this week - so five salads total, two buffalo chicken and three Cobb. These are supposed to last 7-10 days in the fridge. I was skeptical but they totally last over a week! I think I ate my last one 8 days after I made it. Unbelievable!! I did not put the dressing in the bottom as many of the links said I could - that was too big of a leap of faith for me - but it's easy enough to add that in at work or wherever you're eating your meal.

Mason Jar Cobb Salad
This was not my favorite and I don't know that I'll make it again - seemed too high in calories to be worth eating a salad - but since it's pretty and some of you may like it I'll post the recipe.

Ingredients (layer in order from bottom to top):
1 large hard boiled egg
1.5 slices of thick cut bacon, cooked crispy
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
3 oz precooked grilled chicken breast strips (I used Costco brand)
6 grape tomatoes
1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped

Keep Separate: 2 tbsp light blue cheese dressing (I like Marie's brand)



Mason Jar Buffalo Chicken Salad
This one was really, really good and so easy - especially if you cheat and use precooked chicken and pregrated carrots like me!

Ingredients (layer in order from bottom to top):
1/2 cup carrots, grated
3 oz precooked grilled chicken breast strips mixed with 2 tbsp wing sauce (I used the medium Kroger brand and it's really good!)
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped

Keep Separate: 2 tbsp light blue cheese dressing (I like Marie's brand) OR light ranch, if you prefer



Mason Jar Pear and Walnut Salad
After first drafting this post I made a third jar salad, but didn't remember to take a picture of it. For what it's worth, I think this was my favorite of all of them, but because of the pears it would only last 3 days I suspect.

Ingredients (layer in order from bottom to top):

1/2 pear, chopped
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/3 cup dried cherries
3 oz precooked grilled chicken breast strips
1 cup romaine lettuce, chopped

Keep separate: 2 tbsp light vinaigrette dressing (I used the Wendy's pomegranate vinaigrette since I had some packets leftover.)
2 tbsp Fresh Gourmet glazed walnut pieces

Fall Salad: Pomegranate, Goat Cheese, and Salmon Salad

Yum! This was so good. Check out that giant scoop of goat cheese. Totally brill.

Ingredients:

Gordon's frozen salmon lemon pepper filet (cooked in the oven, not the microwave) - 100 calories

1.33 oz goat cheese - 93 calories

Seeds from 1/2 a pomegranate - 52 calories

Mixed greens, about 2 cups - 15 calories

2 tbsp cranberry basalmic dressing - 20 calories

Fresh ground pepper, to taste

Nutrition:

Total calories: 280

Fat: 11

Carbs: 27

Protein: 24

Quick Lunch: Sweet Salad and Soup

Salad nutritional breakdown

Today was another snow day which is crazy. It's not supposed to stick around until tomorrow, but it was nice having another work from home in my pajamas day. It's always dangerous to hang around the house all day though because there's the temptation to snack on things laying around the house. I did really well today and landed under 1300 calories with the help of my delicious lunch! I hunted for things I had around the house (including some of Wendy's pomegranate vinaigrette that I need to find in a store or online somewhere so I don't have to keep the leftover packets like a hoarder). I came up with two cups of organic baby greens, half a granny smith apple, 1/8 cup of craisins, 1/8 cup of goat cheese crumbles, and that packet of pomegranate vinaigrette. I ate it with a cup of jarred tomato basil soup and it was fantastic.

I also have to give a shout out to La Madeleine. Not only do I love their fat free Caesar dressing, they just came out with a low fat version of their tomato basil soup. That soup is pretty much the only reason I ever go to La Madeleine, but with the regular version, a cup has 340 calories and 32 grams of fat, so I would definitely have to save it for a special treat. The low fat version that they also sell in jars is 150 calories and 11 grams of fat for a cup, so I am thrilled. The best part? It tastes just as good as the regular fat version! They sell them online, and if you order some, you might as well pick up some of the Caesar dressing as well.