Get Your Free Salad Template HERE!

Life's been super stressful recently. I've wayyy overbooked myself and it's go go go. On March's schedule, I am balancing class, internship, 3 vacations, and a project expo at school all while trying to exercise 4 times a week and blog at least 3 times. I'm really sucking on those last two...
So naturally, I don't have time to go grocery shopping and I reallllly don't have time to make anything from scratch. Luckily, you can usually make a meal out of what you have in the fridge and pantry as long as you get a little creative. I've made a salad like this before, but I decided to provide a template for this recipe since it is SO versatile.

Template Salad
 Six servings

Ingredients

• 3 cups grain/noodle of choice 
• white rice
• brown rice
• wild rice
• bulgur
• couscous
• quinoa
• orzo
• mini pasta
• wheatberries
• 3 cups chopped fruit and/or veggies 
• tomato
• bell pepper
• cucumber
• carrot
• zucchini
• red onion
• avocado
• mango
• kiwi
• strawberry
• grapes
• 1/4 cup dressing (bottled or freshly made)
• asian
• greek
• oil+vinegar
• lime juice
• EVOO
• 1/4 c. chopped herbs (optional)
• basil
• cilantro
• italian flat leaf parsley
• dill
• 1/2 c. cheese (optional)
• crumbled feta
• fresh mozzarella
• extra sharp cheddar
• goat cheese
• If you want to make it a one dish meal, then add 2 cups of protein
• grilled chicken
• salad shrimp
• crab
• cubed steak

Instructions

• Cook grain according to instructions, let cool.
• Add other ingredients
• Serve!

Easy!

I made mine with red onion, tomato, bell pepper, mango, cucumber, and avocado. I dressed it with hot chili oil, EVOO, seasoned rice wine vinegar, and lime juice. Amazing!

I also used Israeli Couscous, which is so yummy, you MUST try it. 

before

after!