Virtually every week I make up a tub of choppy salad to keep in the fridge. It is usually made up of a whole cucumber, around 4 sticks of celery, one each of red, yellow and green peppers and at least one onion, all chopped so they are a similar size.
Using my tried and tested storage method it lasts in a really good state for a full week. I simply fold a piece of kitchen roll in quarters and place it on top.
When it is put in the fridge for the first time it is turned upside down so that the paper can absorb any excess moisture ......
... then after the first usage it is returned the right way up. After that I use my judgement, if it looks a little dry I turn the tub upside down again and back the other way if everything looks okay.
We use this as a 'tumble down' ready meal. |On it's own it makes a lovely addition to meals, then with added extras, for example a chopped apple or pear, and salted peanuts or walnut halves it makes a complete salad meal served on a bed of mixed leaves and drizzled with either balsamic or salad dressing. Mixed with rice or pasta it makes another type of salad.
One of our favourite ways to eat it for a quick lunch is to steal an idea from these folks. My sons used to love this when they were little and I had a sneaky love for it too, but to eat it now would be a real no-no, it just, in my opinion, tastes so artificial and sweet .... and it's not fresh !!
So instead I chop up some of the 'choppy salad' a little bit smaller, add a handful of grated cheddar and a good dollop of mayo and then pile it high on brown buns, lunch in five minutes :-)
Totally yummy.
The beauty of a choppy salad in a box in the fridge is that it keeps me on the straight and narrow. Something easy to grab, healthy and quick, what could be better.
Do you do something similar that saves you time and keeps you on the straight and narrow?
Sue xx
We all used to love Sandwich Spread but since they changed the recipe a few years ago, can't stand it.
ReplyDeleteThat looks scummy, Sue. No, I don't do anything like it - yet! I shall also try your tip about kitchen roll in the choppy salad tub.
ReplyDeleteI do this, it saves so much time and the washing up. Like you I use it in lots of ways and find that if I am feeling snacky a handful of this is filling and not so fattening.
ReplyDeleteAnother excellent tip. Never thought of doing this but will be doing it in future. Sometimes (all the time!!) I just reach for the first thing I see in the fridge when starving for quickness and it's usually fattening, so now I'll have no excuse. (Still love Sandwich Spread - am I correct in thinking they also made a Cucumber Spread in a similar jar? Am sure I have tried this as well). (Mrs LH)
ReplyDeleteThis is an absolutely fabulous idea and I will start making choppy salads immediately.
ReplyDeleteSandwich and cucumber spread brings back great memories of my childhood. I find it's too acidic nowadays.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea Sue, I am going to do that too (I can't stand soggy salad)! I remember sandwich spread and am surprised it's still around but my kids used to love it. When travelling I used to take cans of a similar but chunkier sort of thing in a tin with me. I was veggie not vegan in those days but it was great when in regions where vegetarian food was difficult to come by. Sometimes I ate little else for days (vegetarianism and veganism is much easier nowadays). My kids loved the tinned stuff too but the thought of it makes me heave now! A thing I do to save money and ensure healthy food is available is to make a pot of veg stew every few days and keep it in the fridge.
ReplyDeleteI usually make my 3 days worth of working lunches in advance (mainly chopped veggies and my own made salad dressing over it), then keep it in saved, individual tubs in the fridge. I like your tip with the kitchen paper and shall try that as well.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was little my favourite snack was digestive biscuits with butter, thick layer of cheddar cheese topped with sandwich spread. Also liked crisp and salad cream sandwiches! I couldn't eat either sandwich spread or salad cream now.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really good idea and the kitchen towel is genius. I will have to try this. I baton a bag of carrots on a Sunday night and then they are a quick grab for lunch boxes and for dinners on the run. I used to also have celery but I just seemed to have stopped this...?
ReplyDeleteI also do your veg mash (sofrito) for the freezer. I have used that twice this week.
I too make up a salad box and I am going to steal your fabulous paper towel trick - thank you. I agree years ago I would have used Sandwich spread but after many years of cooking everything from scratch processed stuff just doesn't do it for me :)
ReplyDeleteOOh looks good your choppy salad ! God I remember that awful shrimp paste in little jars for sarnies when the roast left overs were gone for school packed lunches - it's a wonder we didn't get food posioning !!!
ReplyDeleteI do a nice choppy coleslaw with lots in & big pieces x
That looks lovely Sue.. I'm going to give that a go :o)
ReplyDeleteUBrilliant idea with the salad. The sandwich spread reminds me of teas at my Auntie Sylvia's, who is now 91. I also remember the Cubitt's relish, cucumber relish which I liked. I used to love cold sliced potato and horseradish sauce sandwiches! Not sure I could eat that much stodge now!!
ReplyDeleteMmmh going to use that idea. Cant wait for my next packed lunch now. Thanks x
ReplyDeleteMy girls always used to call this " middle of a sandwich" salad when they were small - ie all the bits you would have sliced up to put in a ham and cheese sandwich, but chopped instead
ReplyDeleteoh and I forgot when we are super busy, I pre-make sandwiches for the week and freeze them. Take them out in the morning and by lunch time they have defrosted. doesnt work with egg mayo
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to have choppy salad on hand.
ReplyDeleteI line my fridge drawers with pieces of kitchen towel, and wrap herbs up in kitchen towel before storing them in plastic bags, but I'd never thought of adding it to chopped salad.
For quick snacks, I try to keep a stock of fruit I like, big tubs of natural yogurt to eat it with, and crumpets.
Thank you for a happy skip down memory lane. My mother used to make something very similar to this (no peppers, lots of radishes, grated cheese) with good old Heinz salad cream, as a sandwich spread. She always used Hovis, and these were my very favourite sandwiches throughout my childhood. Mmmmmm. Kitty in the forest
ReplyDeleteThis is such a simple idea, why didn't I think of it? We've all got these ingredients, I'm sure, and yet I never thought to actually prepare a 'choppy salad' like this and have it ready in the fridge! The simple ideas are often the best! Thanks for sharing this. One meal I like is a slice of that thin rye bread you buy in a packet and then put whatever you have on the top ... I like a slice of Bavarian smoked ham, or some salami, then thinly sliced Gruyere cheese, then perhaps some chilli jam or caramelized onions, then slices of peppers (preferably marinated in a vinaigrette first) and slices of gherkin and then topped off with some salad cress or chopped cucumber ... guaranteed to give indigestion, but oh, so tasty!
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
I had never thought of this either. What a great idea. My favorite sandwich filling is salt beef, gruyere and sliced gherkins and mayo. Some choppy salad would make a tasty addition.
ReplyDeleteI love this salad idea! I will definitely try it.
ReplyDeleteTo stay on the straight and narrow....I keep boiled eggs, baked or pressure cooked chicken pulled off the bone, scalloped or similar potato dish, cooked lentils or beans, chopped onions and peppers to toss in a salad or a stir fry, single serve Tupperware with carrots and broccoli packed up, more Tupperware with celery and nut spread or cucumbers and tapenade, snack size Tupperware with homemade jello snack made with real juice, Tupperware cups of cooked rice, lots of fruit and berries, arugula and tomato for a quick salad with mozzarella, and canned salmon and sardines for a quick meal.
I have lots of food allergies, so my carb choices are limited and I have sugar cravings if I don't get enough carbs.