No-Bake, No-Cook and Super-fast: Salads and Sandwiches

Of all the no-cook meals that come to mind, perhaps no menu items are more considered than salads and sandwiches.  But banish the thought that these two meal stalwarts have to be boring…not true!  

Let’s look at some quick, easy and exciting combinations:
 

Salads:
 

Spinach, Roasted Red Peppers, Feta Cheese, Olives and Cucumber
Romaine, Red Onion, Carrot, Dried Cranberries, Sliced Almonds and Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Leaf Lettuce, Tomatoes, Fresh Basil, Fresh Mozzarella, Pesto and Pine Nuts
Spring Greens, Walnuts, Apple, Pear, Raisins, Monterey Jack Cheese and Celery
Arugula, Bacon, Dates, Goat Cheese, Green Onions and Radicchio
 

Sandwiches:
 

Think outside of the lunchmeat-cheese-lettuce-condiments box for your sandwiches.  Get creative and create a quick, new combination:
Fresh Mozzarella, Pesto, Tomato and Balsamic
Tuna Salad (use canned tuna, add 1 tablespoon vinegar and olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh red onion, herbs and olives)
Curried Chicken Salad (buying a rotisserie chicken at the grocery to have cooked chicken on hand)
Chicken layered with thin Apple Slices, Onion and Greens
Hummus, Fresh Cucumber, Mushrooms, Peppers and Sprouts

I’m getting hungry just writing all these quick and easy salad and sandwich ideas!
 

The only thing limiting your options for super-fast salads and sandwiches is your imagination.  I am often floored at the creative combinations the boys come up with when given the freedom to do so.  The other day R made a blue cheese, pomegranate and pear slices sandwich.


 

He loved it so much, he ate it right up, and I never would have come up with this combination on my own!
 

Sometimes giving your kids creative freedom with healthy foods will create new foods they will gobble right up!
 

Life is sweet,
SPC

Tags