I’m always thinking I should eat more salads

Easy Mason Jar Salad | www.oliviascuisine.com

(Many thanks to Suddenly Salad for sponsoring today’s story!)

I usually have that thought when I’m at work, about to “steal” a bag of pretzels from our inventory cause I’m starving and too lazy to walk to a salad shop.
 
Well, today I’m writing from work – I’m on my break! – and I’m eating this delicious Easy Mason Jar salad as we speak! I’m so proud of myself!
 
It has everything I like: grains, nuts, chick peas and lettuce. Plus a nice wine vinaigrette dressing! Seriously, what could be better? (Definitely not the pretzel bag from work!)
 

Easy Mason Jar Salad | www.oliviascuisine.com

I’ve attempted to bring salads to work before. I bought several salad-to-go containers, where you pack your dressing in a separate little container, but I always lose these little bastards.
 
Also, it is always so messy and the dressing always leaks into my purse. Oh yeah, I lost track of how many olive oil stinking wallets I had to toss in the garbage…

So I’ve decided to give the mason jar salad trend a try and, guys, I’m sold!

Ok, I know I probably sound really silly right now because the trend happened a while ago… Years, I know! But better late than never, right? 

Easy Mason Jar Salad | www.oliviascuisine.com

I honestly meant to do it sooner, I even bought my mason jars when the trend was fresh and mason jars salad were all you would see on Pinterest. But I never got around to actually do it and they were forgotten on the back of a cabinet.    
 
So for my mason jar salad debut, I chose to do a really simple recipe that would require almost no prep/cooking, because time is not something I have much of these days. It also had to have a lot of flavor, because if I’m going to eat salad for dinner, it’s better be damn good salad.
 
Suddenly Grain Salad was the answer to my prayers. All the work was done for me and all I had to do was to cook the grains (that come in a little bag, ready to go into boiling water) and then start putting together my Mason jar.
 
According to the internet, the secret for a mason jar salad that will keep well for a few days (or in my case, at least til later on the same day) is: Wet on bottom, dry on top!
 
Here’s the order I used:
1) Dressing
2) Chick peas 
3) The nuts that came with the Suddenly Grain Salad box
4) The grains
5) Mixed greens
 
I then sealed the jar with the lid, packed it inside a grocery plastic bag (for fear of having another wallet ruined) and went to work.
 

Easy Mason Jar Salad | www.oliviascuisine.com

I was so excited and couldn’t wait for my break. Who gets that excited over a salad, you might think. But this salad is something else, my friends! It really entices the carb-holic in me and is packed with good stuff!
 
When it was time to eat, I shook the jar and the dressing magically caressed all the ingredients. All that was left to do was… eat! 
 
YUM! Everything kept fresh and not soggy at all. And it was so tasty! 
 
Mission accomplished! I ate a salad instead of a bag of pretzels. Woohoo! *major pat on back*
 
I will definitely be making more Mason jar salads to bring to work. They are convenient and a great way to keep healthy!
 
I’m also happy to report that not one drop leaked into my purse and my wallet is sound and safe. :)
 
Phew!
 
Before you go running to the store to stock up on Suddenly Grain Salad, make sure you take this coupon with you. You’re welcome!
 
 
Easy Mason Jar Salad | www.oliviascuisine.com

Easy Mason Jar Salad

Yield: 2 mason jar salads
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 6.7oz package Suddenly Grain Salad Harvest Grains
  • 1 tablespoon cold water
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 cup chick peas (canned), rinsed
  • 2 cups mixed greens, rinsed and dried
  • 2 quart-size Mason jars

Instructions

  • Cook the grain packet (that comes inside the box) according to instructions. Reserve.
  • Mix the dressing packet with the cold water. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the dressing is emulsified.
  • Divide the dressing into two equal portions and pour into the bottom of the jars.
  • Layer 1/2 cup of cup of chick peas into each jar. Top with the nuts, the grains and finally with the greens.
  • Seal the jars and refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Easy Mason Jar Salad | www.oliviascuisine.com