Not your everyday salads

I know I promised some tasty lunch recipes last week and the week got away from me with all the party planning.

Here are the recipes that we tried last week and they were delicious! These salads don’t take much prep and can be made in the morning. These are also from the $7 a meal healthy cookbook.

Mediterranean Salad with Feta Cheese and Kalamata Olives
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
6 cups romaine lettuce, spinach or mixed greens (whatever you have)
2 tomatoes, diced
1 cucumber, sliced and then halved
½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
¼ cup red onion, diced
½ cup feta cheese, crumbled

Whisk olive oil and balsamic vinegar until well combined. Add remaining ingredients and toss well to coat.

Mixed Greens with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Dried Cranberries
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
Sea salt and pepper to taste
6 cups mixed greens
1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
1 medium red onion, diced
1 tomato, diced
1 cucumber, diced
2 Tbsp. dried cranberries

Whisk olive oil and balsamic vinegar until well combined. Add remaining ingredients and toss well to coat.

Spinach Salad with Grilled Salmon (YUMMO!)
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
5 oz. salmon fillet, diced (I got the pre-packaged kind to save time but you can grill your own)
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
½ cup red grapes, halved
1 Tbsp. dried cranberries

Whisk olive oil and balsamic vinegar until well combined. Add remaining ingredients and toss well to coat.

These are just some ideas for something different than the typical chef salad to spice up your lunch a little. If you don't have the right ingredients, it's a salad so you can't really go wrong. Use up what you have.

REMEMBER - OWN WHAT YOUR FAMILY EATS ONE MEAL AT A TIME...INCLUDING LUNCH!