The Hungryman and I take our lunches to school/work everyday. Me - 100% by choice. The H-man...who knows. But being the thoughtful and conflict-avoiding husband that he is, his lunchbox goes with him exactly as I pack it. The man certainly knows how to make me happy ;).
My lunch usually equates to a salad made from whatever ingredients I've prepped over the weekend (here's a glimpse of my usual routine), and no, I never get tired of it. However, I try to keep the Hungryman's lunches a bit more "exciting" so that he looks forward to his lunch rather than thinking of ways to secretly toss it {gasp!}. And if he's ever done so, I'd take that lil' secret to the grave if I were him.
Regardless of what it is that I pack, one thing is for certain - it must include fresh produce and take no more than 5 minutes of my precious time in the morning to assemble (okay..that was two things, but you get the picture). Sure, I have my usual tried-and-true routine, but I'm always open to shake things up a bit. Therefore, when I was asked if I'd be interested in receiving a copy of the "Mason Jar Salads and More" cookbook by Julia Mirabella, I happily accepted.
The cookbook starts out by showing you how to assemble the jar salads in a way that you can make them ahead of time (up to 4-5 days prior!) without them becoming a soggy mess. Imagine being able to prepare Mason jars for the whole week with fresh and flavorful ingredients and doing it all on one day. Make it and forget it. Brilliant!
The key to assembling, so that all the ingredients will retain their firmness and freshness, is layering, and the cookbook walks you through each step from bottom to top.
The cookbook includes 50 recipes for breakfast, non-salad lunches (e.g. pastas, soups), smoothies, snacks and dips, and dressings. However, what it offers is so much more! As you get the hang of assembling, you'll begin to conjure up all kinds of combinations. The possibilities are endless.
The first Mason jar salad I made was this Southwestern Salad. I made slight adjustments to the recipe - added deli turkey for extra protein and placed the greens at the very top instead of the cheese.
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Lime Vinaigrette
- ½ cup black beans rinsed and drained
- ½ red vine-ripened tomato diced
- ¼ red bell pepper diced
- ¼ yellow bell pepper diced
- ½ cup diced avocado optional
- ½ cup corn kernels fresh or frozen
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 ounce Cheddar cheese grated
- 1 quart-size Mason jar
Lime Vinaigrette
- 2 Tablespoons lime juice
- 1 Tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- pinch of salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- dash of hot sauce optional
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- For the vinaigrette: Whisk together the lime juice, cilantro, salt, pepper, and hot sauce (if using). Slowly add the olive oil, whisking, until the dressing thickens.
- Start by pouring the vinaigrette dressing into the Mason jar. Then layer in the black beans, tomato, bell peppers, avocado, and corn. Finish with the salad greens and, finally, the Cheddar cheese. Seal and refrigerate until ready to use.
Nutrition
And if you're still not convinced that mason jars are a must-have, check out this post by Lindsay - "Ways to Use Mason Jars in the Kitchen."
Now for the giveaway:
The Ulysses Press has agreed to send a copy of "Mason Jar Salads and More" to one lucky winner. Simply leave a comment telling me what your favorite packed lunch is. For additional entries, follow me on any social media platform and tell me you did so.
The giveaway ends September 7, 2014 at 11:59 pm CST. The winner will be chosen randomly and will be notified via email. Good luck! 😉
***** Congratulations, Alli! You're the winner!
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can't wait to see what you share this week! Its LIVE!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
Liz B. says
My favorite portable lunch is Greek yogurt, fresh fruit and carrot sticks!
Carolsue says
I follow you on Facebook as Carolsue Anderson
Carolsue says
My favorite packed lunch item is Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches and cheese sticks
Karen says
Today is the first day I have had the pleasure of experiencing your blog, and I am so happy ! My husband would also eat the exact same thing every day, but I just can't do that. Thank you for these wonderfully varied recipes!
Min says
Thank you so much, Karen, for your kind words! It's comments like these that really encourages and inspires me to share more healthy and delicious recipes ;). Hope you have a lovely day!
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating says
Favorite packed lunches of mine always include leftovers!
Liz says
Leftover cold tuna pasta salad with vegetables. Yum!
Liz says
Leftover dinner from the night before is always special, but sometimes inconvenient to eat at the office.
Liz says
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich on good bread is a great lunch at the office and not too messy. Love your giveaway. Thank you.
Liz says
Leftover salad from night before is a good lunch for me.
Candace says
I follow you on Facebook!
Candace says
My fav lunch to pack is a quinoa bowl with red onion, grapes, broccoli, pecans, feta, craisins, & honey balsamic!
Liz says
A bowl of soup is also nice for lunch.
Liz says
I love mason jars. They are so handy for many things including storing items in a see-through jar. I sometimes enjoy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on good bread for lunch.
zosia says
My favourite packed lunch is homemade muffins 🙂
Mabel @ Miss Hangrypants says
my fave is spaghetti squash with lots of pasta sauce and extra veggies hmm. also packed dessert is a must
Liz says
I like to keep lunches light. Your giveaway cookbook is lovely. Thank you.
Calli says
my favorite packed lunch is leftover curry (in winter) and chicken or turkey wraps (in summer).
Debi @ Life Currents says
My favorite packed lunch is usually something like pasta with some sauce and lots of veggies. Quick, easy, and easy to eat at a desk.
Katie Ogletree says
I love cold pasta salads, or beautiful salads. Yum.
I am also curious about these mason jar salads... How do you eat it? Once it's lunch time, do you shake the jar up? Or do you pour it out into a different container?
Love how convenient these look and 4-5 days ahead of time??? Nice...
Min says
You would simply pour it into a bowl and toss so the dressing that's at the bottom can get all mixed in. I know right? You can prep everything on Sunday and just grab and go come mornings 😉
Nicole says
I love packing lentil curry in a jar for lunch!
Liz says
I also love cheese, biscuits and grapes.
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
oh I love salads in jars! Fave packed lunch: an easy sandwich or kimbap! 🙂
Noreen says
Leftover but if I don't have any then almond butter and Tayb erry jamsandwich, carrot stick, jicama, pretzels and a fruit leather or dried fruit
Chelsey says
I'm following you on facebook!
Chelsey says
I love to pack a turkey sandwich and some fruit for lunch!
LoriAnne in Oregon says
My go-to packed lunch is almost always a peanut butter, honey, and banana sandwich on whole wheat. Lots of protein, no need to refrigerate, and it usually packs well.
Michael Henry says
My favorite packed lunch is a turkey sandwich on ciabatta bread. Yum! Though mason jar salads are always fun.
Laura C says
My husband loves to pack salads for lunch!
Alli says
I was never a big fan of salads for lunch but I just started making mason jar salads on Sunday nights so they're ready to go for the week and it's so easy!! One of my favorite salads right now has blueberries, walnuts and goat cheese with a honey balsamic vinaigrette. Yum! I'm excited to try this one and so many more!!
Min says
Ooh that salad sounds incredible! Honey balsamic vinaigrette is hands down one of my fav. Sounds like you and mason jars have already become well-acquainted ;).
Liz says
I also enjoy an apple, cheese and grapes. I love to store pasta in mason jars. Easy to see and keep pasta fresh.
Floey says
pb and jelly
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
I am totally loving the idea of a salad in a mason jar.. they look awesome! I couldn't not pin these images!
Min says
Thanks, Thalia! Hmm…wonder what happened! Sorry about that. It's working now 😉
Danielle @ It's a Harleyyy Life says
OMG I just love the mason jar look! Its adorb! I've been digging sandwiches for lunch lately!
Torrey I says
I've been packing mason jar salads for work, using homemade dressings. They make wonderful lunch carriers and it's cheaper than buying salads at the store.
Briana says
That salad looks delicious, Avocado happens to be an obsession of mine! My lunch normally consists of a frozen Amy's bowl. I'm trying to eat healthy and her bowls are scrumptious and pretty healthy for a frozen meal. I would LOVE to win this book as have a fridge full of Mason jars 🙂 I'll be following you on Facebook!
kelley says
Your salad looks awesome! I loved bringing salads to work, when I worked out of the house. 🙂
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
I love the idea of mason jar salads but I've never actually made them myself. I definitely need to check out this book. The jar salads are the perfect on-the-go meal or lunch idea! Have a great weekend, Min!
Roma says
My go to lunch is salads. I have never made a mason jar salad. I love the idea of being able to prepare the salad days ahead so I can grab & go as I am heading out the door in the morning. Planning on making your salad this week.
Kari @ bite-sized thoughts says
I laughed at The Hungry Man's lunch compliance - sensible guy! And I adore the look of these salads; what a fun and creative way to prepare them. Your mix sounds great 🙂
Liz says
I sometimes enjoy a tuna salad sandwich for lunch.
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating says
Anything mason jar-esque gets me every time. Particularly if they contain food! I also like to take portable salads in jars as well as overnight oats.
Julie @ Lovely Little Kitchen says
The cookbook looks wonderful and I'm in love with the Southwestern Salad! There's something about layers of beautiful food that gets me every time!
Christine says
I love packing fruit salads, it's so refreshing when you're starving and even when you're not!
Liz says
I enjoy cottage cheese, pineapple, sliced apple and berries of some kind. A nice cookbook. Thank you.
Kenan | Kitchen 1204 says
My husband and I are the opposite! He happily takes the exact. same. lunch. EVERYDAY! Bless him for doing so, because it makes my life a lot easier. His usual is a pb&j or pb & honey sandwich on wheat, greek yogurt with granola, a protein bar, and a veggie (carrots, sweet peppers, or cucumbers usually).
I like variety and a lot of it. I'm a big fan of seasonal salads, almond butter and honey sandwiches (but not too often), or leftovers 🙂 I'll have to give this Southwestern salad a try! Bravo for another great recipe, friend!
Min says
Aww your husband is def a keeper ;). I love the sound of your lunches too! Leftovers..gotta love 'em.
Anne says
This is so cool! I want that book, and you know what my favorite lunch is already - fast and healthy, just like you. Wow, I miss talking with you, but I don't miss the stress of taking classes! Hope you're having a great time!
Min says
I miss you too, Anne! I envy you…at least this is my last semester ;). Think positive. Think positive!
Amy Drohen says
My go to pack lunch is Snap Kitchen. Your post on Mason Jar Salads is inspiring me to try a few recipes as they seem super easy, healthy and convenient to take to work!
Min says
I've never had Snap Kitchen, but I've heard great things about it ;). Will have to try one of these days..
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
thanks for the link love! this salad looks delicious!