Deli Type Salads (carrots, sugar, sesame, pepper)

[oregonwoodsmoke]

I find that having a tub of deli type of salad in the fridge is a good way to get my family to eat a lot of fresh veggies. You know the sort of thing: coleslaw, 3 bean salad, and that wonderful broccoli red grape salad.

What do you guys do for fresh easy salads that can be all made up and waiting in the fridge for hungry people to grab a scoop and put it on their plate?

(I do potato salad sometimes, but really, I know I am lying to myself about that counting as a veggie)

[DontH8Me]

I don't really consider it eating veggies if it came out of a can, or if it's doused in dressing/fats. Whatever benefit that cabbage in the coleslaw may have provided is masked by all the artery clogging mayo.

I usually have washed and ready to consume greens on hand in the fridge for impromptu salads, or a quick wilted spinach or braised kale.

Fresh raw veggies like carrots, red bell pepper, raw broccoli and cauliflower, cucumber slices, grape tomatoes served with a nice hummus dip or homemade ranch using Greek yogurt is also a quick veggie fix. Works for parties too.

For a healthier version of a deli salad favorite, I toss tri-color corkscrew pasta with chopped black olives, broccoli, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions and sometimes even chopped pepperoni or Italian hard salami with a homemade Italian dressing (and using heart-healthy olive oil). The recipe is flexible, I've seen some put chopped raw carrots, green onions, purple cabbage even.

[gentlearts]

For a healthier version of a deli salad favorite, I toss tri-color corkscrew pasta with chopped black olives, broccoli, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions and sometimes even chopped pepperoni or Italian hard salami with a homemade Italian dressing (and using heart-healthy olive oil). The recipe is flexible, I've seen some put chopped raw carrots, green onions, purple cabbage even.

DontH8me, you just reminded me I have some vegetable bow tie pasta (carrot, squash). I think I'll make a nice pasta salad tonight.

[lubby]

I make my own cole slaw, I buy the bag of shredded cole slaw and add 2/3 cup mayo, 2 tbsp cider vinegar and 1 tbsp sugar, pinch of salt and pepper, Mix well and refrigerate. I make a pasta salad using tri-colored rotini pasta, black olives, cubed up mozzarella, thinly sliced red bell pepper, chopped sweet onion, 1 bottle Italian dressing(not the creamy one) 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp Italian seasoning.

[eggalegga]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

For a healthier version of a deli salad favorite, I toss tri-color corkscrew pasta with chopped black olives, broccoli, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions and sometimes even chopped pepperoni or Italian hard salami with a homemade Italian dressing (and using heart-healthy olive oil). The recipe is flexible, I've seen some put chopped raw carrots, green onions, purple cabbage even...

Aside from the deli meats, add fresh mushrooms and diced red bell peppers and that makes my pasta salad. I also add lemon pepper and shredded (not canned) parmesan cheese. Preparing all the veges takes time, but it tastes so good. I add half the dressing as I prepare it....then refrigerate the salad. Right before serving, I add the rest of the dressing. I hate dry pasta salads.

[Gerania]

Pepper slaw!

Pepper Slaw Recipe - Food.com - 62705

[Bulldogdad]

Marinated pasta salad:

Tri colored Wacki Mac rotini pasta
Broccoli florettes cut really small teaspoon size-I dont cook them when I make it but the wife likes to par boil them when she does
cubed roasted red peppers in the jar not pickeled just in water
green olives halved
black olives halved
grape tomatos halved or the small cherry tomatos whole
marinated articoke hearts halved-Costco Kirkland brand
Canned low salt kidney beans rinsed
quartered Mazzetta peperoncinis
cubed bitesize low fat mozzarella
grated romano cheese-has more kick than parmesan
peppered salami slices strip cut
diced purple onion
Red pepper flakes-we save the little packets from pizza night for just this occasion.


Make your own italian/balsamic vinegrette or use a good cheap dressing like Wish Bone Italian. I make a killer vinegrette but for some reason the Wish Bone Italian really gives it a Commercial Deli salad taste so we use that for just this salad.

I didnt specify quantities as you can work that out your self. I try to get an even amount of all the items so each serving has a little of everything.

I have a buddy who owns a sandwich shop and I made him this salad for a super bowl party about 10 years ago. Needless to say he stole it and it's one of his best sellers.

[mrs.cool]

i LOVE cold salads! The hubby, not so much. But he puts up with them. I make them all the time as side dishes in the summertime. I don't buy them however, scary stuff in them usually!

[oregonwoodsmoke]

One of the ones my family will eat is chopped raw cauliflower, roasted peanuts, and that sesame salad dressing that Costco sells.

The dressing is fairly inexpensive, tastes good, and looks suspiciously like it it mostly water. so the salad isn't soaked in fat. The salad might not sound terribly interesting, but it is quite tasty and crunchy.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

We also like a French potato salad. Sliced potatoes, green onions, and a plain oil and vinegar dressing: olive oil, red vinegar, salt and pepper.

I don't make that too often because of the carbs in the potatoes, but it is delicious.