Mini Chop Salad with Protein
By Gina Caputo
To say I'm obsessed with mini chopped salads ("mini chops") is an understatement. I've always thought the cut of your vegetables either makes or breaks them in terms of your desire to eat them. Turns out everything is better as a mini chop. Here's my favorite tool to make mini chops possible on the reg. I was first inspired to make these by Baked By Melissa and then, of course, started experimenting including adding proteins to my mini chops!
Ingredients:
The possibilities are endless! What I've included below are ingredient suggestions in each category. The key is, either use a box chopper or make a tiny dice of everything with a really sharp knife, exceptions noted. Make it your own!
Veggies
- Cabbage, green or purple
- Cucumbers (Persian or mini cukes are best, skin on)
- Napa cabbage
- Bok choy
- Zucchini
- Shaved (not chopped) Brussels sprouts
- Carrots (I like peels more than chops for carrots)
- Red/orange/yellow bell peppers
- Celery
- Corn (don't need to be chopped)
- Beets
- Apples
Greens (fine chop with a knife, not a box chopper)
- Arugula
- Lacinto kale
- Chard
- Little Gem lettuce
- Romaine lettuce
- Butter lettuce
Herbs (fine chop with a knife, not a box chopper)
- Italian parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Dill
Spicy stuff
- Scallions/green onions
- Chives
- Red onions
- Pickled red onions
- Jalapeno peppers
- Serrano peppers
Briny stuff aka the money
- Castelvetrano olives
- Other olives
- Capers
- Caper berries
- Pepperoncini
- Pickles
Proteins (knife chop tiny)
- Shrimp
- Chicken
- Extra Firm Tofu
Carb Proteins (yep, I box chop these too)
- Lentils (ok no chop for these, they're already tiny)
- Edamame
- Chickpeas/Garbanzo beans
- Black beans
Dressings
- Lemony vinaigrette
- Balsamic vinaigrette
- Gochujang spicy vinaigrette
- Lime cumin honey vinaigrette
- Green Goddess
Fatty stuff
- Avocado (not too small or it turns to mush - toss last after whole salad has been tossed)
- Nuts/seeds
- Cheeses
Instructions:
Get out a huge bowl and good salad spoons/hands/tongs.
- Start with veggies
- Hand chop greens and herbs
- Add spicy and briny
- Add your protein(s)
- Add dressing
- Give a thorough toss
- Add fatty things, one last light toss
- Serve with love! And Zack's Chips!
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