I made a sald the other day that was wonderful! I shredded up some spinach and lettuce in a bowl and then for a dressing, this is what I used:
half a can of whole kernal corn
half a can of red kidney beans
1 can of green enchalada sauce
3 tablespoons of chuncky picante salsa
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
a little garlic salt and pepper
and a little lime or lemon juice for added tang
I mix this all up and pour over my lettuce, top with slices of tomato, sliced olives, and a dolip of FF sour cream. If you want a reall treat for a meal, you can take a FF/low carb tortilla, spray the inside of a microwavable bowl with butter flavored cooking spray, place the tortilla inside the bowl, then spray the tortilla with the spray, then place another bowl inside the tortilla so it fits snuggly between the bowls. Pop it in the microwave for 1 minute or until it is stiff and crunchy, but not burned. Now, put some FF refried beans on the bottom of your crunchy tortilla bowl, sprinkly with zucchini that has been sauted in onions and garlic and bell peppers, sprinkle with lettuce and then the corn and bean salsa mix, tomatoes, olives, FF cheese, and FF sour cream. These things are VERY filling!!! One will definately be enough to fill up almost anyone! And the whole thing is only 4 pts! It makes a great taco salad for dinner. I served it to my DH the other night and didn't tell him that it was fat free (he doesn't do any kind of diet... hes a firefighter and has a matabalism that would make you want to strangle him! lol) and he ended up eating 2 helpings before I told him that it was a healthy dinner. He now requests it regularly! Enjoy!
I like green leaf lettuce, a chopped hard-boiled egg, 1 T bacon bits, 1 T feta or blue cheese crumbles, and 1/4 cup shredded cheese. If I have any prepared, I also like to add 1/2 cup or so of chopped chicken breast. Dressing--I'm with JustJuneBug--Newman's Own Light Balsamic Vinaigrette is delicious!!
I also love the Cobb salads at McDonalds with grilled chicken and the same dressing--in fact, that's where I first tasted it!
I have to 3rd (or 4th) the Newman's Own Lighten Up Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing!!! 45 cal for 2T - and that covers a HUGE salad. SO GOOD!!! Works as a marinade also.
hmm...I wonder if I could use a marinade as a dressing. I wouldn't need as much since it's pretty strong/concentrated, and the ones I use only have about 20 calories per tablespoon. I'll have to try and see if it works...I have an AMAZING sesame ginger marinade that I have used on chicken and on pasta/veggie side dishes!
I make a balsamic dressing that is fat free, sugar free
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/3 cup chicken broth, 1 tbsp dijon mustard, cracked black pepper
I've only made it once but it came out pretty good! I'm experimenting on different spices, vinegars to add to chicken broth for a very low calorie, fat free way to top my salads
I make a balsamic dressing that is fat free, sugar free
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, 1/3 cup chicken broth, 1 tbsp dijon mustard, cracked black pepper
I've only made it once but it came out pretty good! I'm experimenting on different spices, vinegars to add to chicken broth for a very low calorie, fat free way to top my salads
I put ground flax seed on my salads!! great sorce of Omega 3 and fiber!! Has a good nutty taste to it! I usually only us white vinegar for my dressing,no calories, and tastes great with a little salt and pepper!
Wendy
Just a quick note of THANKS for all of the great ideas! It's so easy to get bored with salad and always try the same old thing...Looking forward to trying some new ideas!
I love to eat baby spinach on everything and especially love salad with lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, onion, celery, tomatoes topped with tuna homemade ranch dressing and a little bit of crumbled baked doritos...yum!
Simple fave (and one of the few I could reliably make when I was in the dorms):
baby spinach with cottage cheese (the cottage cheese works like a creamy dressing, but is much more filling, and has a nice tangy flavor)
New favorite:
one bag baby spinach, one bag salad mix (iceberg with slivered carrots, a couple of other greens), poppyseed dressing, topped with almonds. Really tasty, and you don't need alot of the dressing. One of my alltime favorite meals.
for all of the great ideas! It's so easy to get bored with salad and always try the same old thing...Looking forward to trying some new ideas!
On my salad
