Jenny’s Colorado Crunch Salad

Jenny’s Colorado Crunch Salad

Some recipes are memorable because of the flavors, and some are memorable because of the person who shared them with you. This salad was inspired by my friend Jenny, who hosted me in her Colorado home, and it was so delicious I knew I needed to recreate it!  I wanted to turn it into a meal prep version that would give me six satisfying lunches for the week,  it was just that good.   So I swapped the traditional lettuce base for hearty vegetables that stay fresh and crunchy for days. The combination of roasted beets, bacon, eggs, blue cheese, and my favorite sugar-free balsamic dressing makes this a salad you will actually look forward to eating!

Ingredients (Makes 6 salads)~

Salad Base for 6 Lunches or Dinners:

Kale, chopped

Broccoli, finely chopped

Cauliflower, finely chopped

Purple cabbage, thinly sliced

Carrots, sliced

Toppings (divided evenly between 6 containers)~

6 beets

12 slices center-cut bacon

12 eggs

Cherry tomatoes

6 tablespoons blue cheese crumbles (1 tablespoon per salad)

Dressing

Instructions~

Prepare the vegetables:

Mix kale, broccoli, cauliflower, purple cabbage, and carrots together. Divide evenly into 6 meal prep containers.

Roast the beets:

Fun tip: Roast beets with the skins on! Trim and chop Beets with skin on, spritz with Olive Oil, roast on parchment lined cookie sheet at 400°F for about 40 minutes until tender, stirring half way thru. Divide between salads. (Save the stems and leaves if you want to use them in your Salad)

Cook the bacon:

Fun tip:  Microwave bacon between paper towels. (My microwave takes about 2 minutes per side.) Divide between containers.

Prepare the eggs:

Fun tip:  Place eggs in a pot covered with water. Bring to a boil, add a lid, turn off the burner, and leave the pot on the burner for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water — the shells will slide right off!  For the best texture, keep eggs whole and chop just before eating.

Assemble:

Top each salad with beets, bacon, eggs, cherry tomatoes, and blue cheese crumbles. Add dressing when ready to enjoy.

My favorite Dressing:  White Balsamic Dressing

My favorite: California Balsamic Orange Mango Passion Fruit (salt, oil, and sugar free)

Why You’ll Love It~

This salad is packed with protein, fiber, and colorful real food ingredients to help keep you satisfied for hours.  Eggs and bacon add protein and staying power.  Kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and carrots provide fiber and nutrients.  Beets add antioxidants and a naturally sweet flavor.  Meal prepping six servings makes healthy choices easier when life gets busy.

The best recipes are the ones that make you excited to eat real food. This salad started as a gift from a friend and became a reminder that healthy eating can be delicious, simple, and prepared with intention.  Find more recipes at realfoodrecovery4u.com.

#RealFoodRecovery #HighProteinMeals #MealPrepIdeas #HealthyLunchIdeas #RealFoodRecipes