Crisp & Colorful Salad Base
Tired of the high cost of pre-packaged salads? This Crisp & Colorful Salad Base is the perfect solution! With a delightful mix of fresh romaine, red leaf, and radicchio lettuce, this salad base is crunchy, vibrant, and easy to prepare. Ideal for meal prep, you can prepare a large batch ahead of time and customize it throughout the week by adding your favorite vegetables, proteins, or dressings. It takes just a little effort to create a fresh salad that will elevate your meals without breaking the bank. Enjoy the benefits of healthy eating while saving money with this versatile salad mix!
4-6
Servings
27
Calories
4
Ingredients
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce
2 heads (Remove outer leaves and rinse)
Red leaf lettuce
1 head (Remove outer leaves and rinse)
Radicchio
1 head (Peel leaves off and rinse)
Carrots
3/4 cup (Grated (optional))
Instructions
1
Begin by removing any brown or wilted outer leaves from all the heads of lettuce. It's important for quality and freshness.
2
Fill a clean sink or large bowl with cold water and submerge the romaine and red leaf lettuce completely.
3
For the radicchio, peel the leaves off individually and add them to the cold water. This allows for a thorough rinsing of all the varieties.
4
Let the lettuces soak in the water for about 5 minutes. During this time, gently shake the lettuce to dislodge any dirt or debris that may be trapped in the leaves.
5
Allow the lettuce to sit undisturbed for another 5-10 minutes so that any dirt or sand settles to the bottom.
6
Carefully lift the lettuce out of the water and rinse it again under fresh cold water from the tap to eliminate any remaining debris.
7
Lay the rinsed lettuce on paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
8
Once dried, chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
9
If using, add the grated carrots to the bowl and toss gently to combine.
10
Using a salad spinner, work in batches to remove any excess moisture from the salad mix. This step is crucial for keeping your salad crisp.
11
After spinning dry, pack the salad mix into large gallon-sized plastic bags. Ensure you remove as much air as possible before sealing. Store in the bottom crisper drawer of your refrigerator for optimal freshness.
Nutrition Information
0.25
Fat
0.67
Protein
1.67
Fiber
1
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Crisp & Colorful Salad Base?
It is a cost-effective, homemade mix of romaine, red leaf, and radicchio lettuce designed to replace expensive pre-packaged salad mixes.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 4 to 6 servings.
What are the main ingredients?
The base consists of romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, radicchio, and optional grated carrots.
Why should I make my own salad base?
Making your own base is more affordable, ensures freshness, and allows you to customize the ingredients to your liking.
How do I properly clean the lettuce?
Submerge the lettuce in cold water for 5 minutes, shake gently, let it sit for another 10 minutes to let dirt settle, and rinse under fresh water.
How do I prepare the radicchio?
Peel the radicchio leaves off individually before rinsing them to ensure every leaf is clean.
What is the calorie count for this salad base?
There are approximately 27 calories per serving.
Is there any fat in this recipe?
The fat content is very low at approximately 0.25 grams per serving.
How much protein is in the salad?
Each serving provides about 0.67 grams of protein.
What is the fiber content?
The salad base contains 1.67 grams of fiber per serving.
Does this recipe include sugar?
It contains about 1 gram of natural sugar per serving.
How should the lettuce be chopped?
After drying, the lettuce should be chopped into bite-sized pieces for the best eating experience.
Is a salad spinner necessary?
Yes, using a salad spinner is crucial to remove excess moisture and keep the salad crisp.
How should I store the salad mix?
Store the mix in large gallon-sized plastic bags with as much air removed as possible.
Where is the best place to store the salad in the fridge?
The bottom crisper drawer of your refrigerator is the optimal spot for maintaining freshness.
Can I add carrots to this mix?
Yes, you can add 3/4 cup of grated carrots to the mix for extra color and crunch.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely; it is specifically designed to be made in batches and used throughout the week.
Why do I need to remove the outer leaves?
Removing brown or wilted outer leaves ensures that only the freshest and highest quality greens are used.
Why let the lettuce sit in water for 10 minutes?
This allows any sand or heavy debris to sink to the bottom of the bowl or sink, away from the leaves.
Can I customize this salad?
Yes, this is a versatile base that can be customized with your choice of vegetables, proteins, or dressings.
Does the recipe contain cholesterol?
No, this vegetable-based recipe contains zero cholesterol.
How do I keep the salad from getting soggy?
Ensuring the lettuce is completely dry using a spinner and removing air from the storage bags prevents sogginess.
What is the category of this recipe?
This recipe is categorized under Greens.
How many ingredients are in the recipe?
There are a total of 4 ingredients used in this recipe.
Is radicchio bitter?
Radicchio has a slightly bitter flavor that provides a nice contrast to the milder romaine and red leaf lettuce.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include salad, fresh, healthy, meal prep, vegetables, diy salad mix, and easy recipe.
Is this recipe budget-friendly?
Yes, it is specifically designed to save money compared to buying pre-washed bagged salads.
Can I use a bowl instead of a sink for washing?
Yes, a large clean bowl is an excellent alternative for submerging and cleaning the greens.
Should I add dressing before storing?
No, add dressing only when you are ready to serve to prevent the leaves from wilting.
What is the prep time like?
It takes a little effort for the cleaning and spinning process, but it saves time during the week for quick meals.