Okay, so lately my inner Betty has been on overdrive. Not only is she flipping the whip at me to get more organized, but now she’s on a “go green and get healthy” campaign. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve needed her to kick my butt into gear. Remember last week’s slide down the mountain of doubt? Yeah, she’s all about keeping me climbing back up.
This time she convinced me (Yes, I do discuss things with the voices in my head, don’t you?) to try the Mason Jar Salads. I first ran across these at a blog called I Love Pinterest. (She lists the recipes she uses in her salads and has several other posts with recipes and craft ideas, too!) I mentioned these in an earlier post and had a few questions about them, so I thought I’d share what I know. The overall concept of this is that you prepare salads ahead of time and keep them in a Mason Jar for quick easy meals later in the week. It works great for when you need to pack a lunch or grab a quick dinner.
I followed the instructions on the blog and viola! I had my very own Mason Jar salads. YUM!
My first time making these I learned a few tricks that helped me be a bit more efficient next time.
Quick and easy Mason Jar Salads
Here’s what I’ve learned:
* Use quart size jars – preferably the wide mouth as its easier to get the salad in and out, but the other will do. As you can see in my picture – I did not get the wide mouth – the store only had one box of jars left on the shelf. It works, but I can tell that the wide-mouthed ones would be easier.
* Dressing first! If you want, you can put dressing in the bottom of the jar, but do this before you add anything else. We prefer to keep it separate because I never put enough on my husband’s to make him happy. So we use a little Tupperware container and pack it in the lunch box when he takes one of these with him.
* Hearty stuff on the bottom and build up to the lettuce. What is the hearty stuff? Carrots, shredded cabbage, pea pods, etc. I put in carrots then my bell peppers, then cucumbers, and mushrooms. Oh and of course grape tomatoes.
* When you are prepping the veggies – try to keep them as dry as possible. For instance, pat your lettuce dry after you rinse it. The less moisture in the jar, the better.
* Don’t tear or cut the lettuce leafs. Try to keep them whole if you can because it keeps better. I like spinach in mine but the hubs likes a mixture.
* If you fill the jar up, it will be a plate full. The hubby likes it full, I do about half for mine.
* It keeps for about a week.
* Preparation takes up the most time. Once you have peeled, sliced, chopped everything, putting it together is a snap. So I take one day at the beginning of the week to gather all my ingredients, prep them and make several jars at once. This way I have a week’s worth of quick meals and since I’ve used all the veggies, I don’t have any left overs being store in the fridge.
This can work for many different types of salad, so choose your favorites and try them out.
I’ve also seen a neat recipe for chili topped with cornbread that I’m dying to try, but that will have to wait until it’s a little cooler out.
What did you think? Do you have any Mason Jar recipes you’d like to share?
looks good.
Thanks Louise!
I saw these for the first time last week. I love them! Such a simple, but awesome idea!
I agree! And its great to send with my husband for his lunch at work. 🙂
So fabulous, Jennifer! I bet the recipe is fun to play with. 🙂 Ooh, and the chili and cornbread option sounds scrumptious… Now we just need dessert. lol
They are fun to play with! And don’t you worry about dessert, August – there are brownie recipes for Mason Jars too! YUM!
Thanks for stopping by!
I am definitely trying these. You have inspired me. 🙂
Yay! I’m sure you’ll love them too, Liz!
Very cool idea! Will have to give it a try. I’m already thinking about all of the salads I like to eat and if they’ll work with this method.
P.S. I also talk with/to the voices in my head. 🙂
Thanks Tami! I’m willing to bet that most salads will work with this, but let me know what you find out.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who converses with their voices. 🙂
I’m picturing a great Caesar salad, shake lightly with dressing when ready to eat it. Oh, and a spinach salad with chopped egg, bacon and a lemon vinaigrette. YUM!
Eden, you made me hungry and I’ve just eaten lunch! lol!
That spinach salad sounds delicious.
When you gave the link last week (or week b/4?), I printed out the picture from her site because I thought it was so pretty that it might inspire me to make my own. I LOVE the idea but haven’t yet tried it. Thanks for the tips. Maybe this week (or next) I’ll give it a try.
Sara, I mulled the idea around for a few weeks before I finally tried it. lol! The prep time is the longest part of the entire process, which is why I find one day and do up several jars for the week. I find during the week that I’ll eat healthier foods if they are right at my finger tips with no hassle. This helps me a lot! haha!
Thanks for stopping in!
Very cool! I am going to try this. What a great idea. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks Debra! Let me know how it works for you.
Hey, even I could do that! Thanks for the tip, Jennifer.
Anytime, Mike! I’m all about finding quick and easy meal ideas. I like to cook, but its just way to hot during these Florida summers!
I love good food and definitely pretty food–so Pretty Good food is just the thing to make my insides smile. Thanks for the fabulous tip Jennifer. This one’s a keeper.
Looks great, Jenn! Maybe we should all head over to your house for lunch!!
I’m going to have to give that a try!
What a GREAT idea for Mason jars! Thank you! Though I take exception to the “Inner Betty” thing since my parents called me Betty growing up!!!! 😀
I’ve been trying to eat healthier so I definitely need to try these out. Do you think a salad spinner would talk off enough moisture from the lettuce/greens?
Wow Jennifer, I now think of you like Julia Child! Maison jars. I completely forgot about them since our world has evolved into ziplock bags which are not the healthiest way to store food. Yuk plastic. I am so impressed with your inner Betty since you quit your secular job! You rock Jennifer! How is the writing going? Since I’ve been sick, I feel so out of touch with you and everyone else. Good to see you! Take care! 🙂
I like this idea for more than just making a healthy diet easier. With the controversy over plastic bottles and containers, I prefer using glass.
Brownies, you say? Oh yum! I’ve used jars to layer ingredients for cookies (with directions attached with a ribbon). They’re actually quite pretty. My sister still has one sitting on her counter that I gave her six or seven years ago. She said she thought it looked like sand art. 🙂
I pinned this on Pinterest but never got around to putting them together. Today is Farmer’s market day (one lady has wonderful mix of greens) and you have inspired me to put together a week’s worth. Thanks for this blog post. 🙂