Sweet Kale salad kit with sliced chicken
courtesy of Taylor Farms

Brand-new bag

Salad kits produce a hearty meal

by JERRY JAMES STONE

Healthful eating is in the bag. Bagged salad kits give you fresh ingredients, toppings and dressing for a quick, tasty and healthful salad. Simply rip, pour and toss; it’s faster than pizza delivery! Plus, you can make it a well-rounded meal by adding your favourite on-hand protein, such as hard-boiled eggs. And bagged salad kits make much more than salad. You can add the greens to egg scrambles or use them as toppings for homemade pizza.

Once you break the seal, you can keep salad greens fresh and crisp for three to five days by storing them in an airtight container lined with dry paper towels.

The Sweet Kale salad kit available in Costco warehouses is a great place to start. For instance, you can make a quick smoothie by blending 500 millilitres (mL; 2 cups) of salad greens, half a banana, 500 mL (2 cups) tropical fruit chunks and 375 mL (1½ cups) orange juice in a blender.

If you want a carb-conscious breakfast, this salad mix also makes a great frittata. Sauté 375 mL (1½ cups) salad greens and 1 minced garlic clove in 15 mL (1 tablespoon) butter. Whisk 4 eggs with salt and pepper to taste. Add the egg mixture to the greens and cook, covered, over medium-low heat until cooked in the centre. Top with 60 mL (¼ cup) shredded or crumbled cheese and serve.

For a quick side dish, simply sauté 750 mL (3 cups) salad greens with a 425-gram (15-ounce) can of drained white beans, 2 minced garlic cloves and 30 mL (2 tablespoons) butter.

This nutrient-packed bagged salad also makes a great kale and mushroom quiche.

The options are limitless.

---