Make Ahead

Rainbow Salad-in-a-Jar

June  3, 2014
4
4 Ratings
  • Serves 8
Author Notes

I wanted a fresh and light salad that could be eaten during the hot months, with ingredients that are seasonal, tasty and appealing.
This salad was created with a Picnic in mind and follows a few considerations like
withstanding travelling, being in moderate cold (cooler) and ease of serving.
Some greens, like lettuce, wilt quickly so I opted for Chinese Cabbage and arugula. Also, I know mayo is not the best option for health security, so I made a fresh orange/ginger vinaigrette.
I'm offering the Rainbow Salad in 3 options: Garden (vegetarian), Land (with chicken and Bacon and Sea (shrimp), so it accommodates everyone's taste.
Serving it as a salad-in-a-jar is just an idea: it's pretty, it's easy to serve, it's clean and re-usable. Choose wide mouth mason jars, they are easier to eat out off.
Don't forget to pack the forks, napkins, nice music and... enjoy the picnic! —Maria Teresa Jorge

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • Salad
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes sliced in half
  • 2 cups shredded raw carrots
  • 1 stalk of celery thinly sliced
  • 2 cups shredded raw beets
  • 2 cups lentils cooked
  • 1 cup cooked sweet corn kernels
  • 2 1/2 cups thinly cut Chinese cabbage
  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1/2 cup toasted mixed seeds - sesame, sunflower and shelled pumpkin (vegetarian version)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded chicken - grilled or broiled - well done
  • 4 bacon slices
  • 1 1/2 cups shrimp - boiled - cooked through and cut in pieces
  • Orange-Ginger 1/4Vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 inch fresh ginger - peeled and cut in 4 pieces
  • 1 teaspoon mustard
  • salt & pepper
Directions
  1. Wash and dry 8 wide mouth mason jars and respective lids. Set aside.
  2. Put all the ingredients for the vinaigrette in a container and blend with a stick blender until well mixed. Set aside in fridge.
  3. Prepare all the vegetables and put in different bowls.
  4. Grill the bacon slices until crispy. Put on kitchen paper to absorb extra fat. Cut in small pieces and put in a bowl.
  5. When you are ready to start your salad, get the jars and start by adding 2 tablespoons of vinaigrette.
  6. Then add the cherry tomato halves, dividing the amount by the 8 jars.
  7. Next add the shredded carrot, sliced celery and shredded beet, doing the same.
  8. Then add the lentils followed by the sweet corn.
  9. Garden version: top off with Chinese cabbage, arugula and finish with 1 tsp of toasted seeds.
  10. Land version: add some shredded chicken (as much or as little as you want) and top off with Chinese cabbage, arugula and top with minced bacon.
  11. Sea version: add shrimp (as much or as little as you want) and top off with Chinese cabbage and arugula.
  12. Put in fridge minimum 1 hour. Transport in cooler.
  13. To serve: Invert for a few seconds so the vinaigrette goes all the way to the greens and shake a little before opening or simply invert on a plate and mix.
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Sam1148
    Sam1148
  • jocelyn.thagard
    jocelyn.thagard
  • Regine
    Regine
  • Maria Teresa Jorge
    Maria Teresa Jorge

10 Reviews

Natali July 2, 2014
Como sempre, maravilhosa.
Que boa ideia!
 
Maria T. July 2, 2014
Que bom que gosta, fico mesmo contente!
Beijos!
 
Sam1148 June 22, 2014
I love this idea!
 
Maria T. June 22, 2014
Thank you Sam.
 
jocelyn.thagard June 14, 2014
What do you think of using black beans ? Use the can Black Beans - Rinse them off - use instead of lentils.
 
Maria T. June 14, 2014
Jocelyn,
since I posted this salad, I've been making for myself because I found out that they keep fresh for 3 to 4 days, maybe because it's a glass container.
I've been using black beans, chick peas, bulgur and millet to diversify and they all taste fantastic.
All the canned food I rinse off and allow to drain for 5 minutes.
Have a nice party!
 
jocelyn.thagard June 14, 2014
Thinking of making this for birthday dinner party I am planning. Just ordered Vintage Style Jars mint green tint. It would be perfect to make and store it in the mason jars. How exciting.
 
Maria T. June 14, 2014
Jocelyn,
how cool to use vintage jars, what a fabulous idea.
have agreat party!!!
 
Regine June 4, 2014
Spectacular!!! I must try soon.
 
Maria T. June 5, 2014
Thanks Regine. Do try!
I've been munching away mine and had a great surprise - I found that they keep really well in the fridge at least 3 days because I've eaten the last jar. I'm going to make more and test how long they keep.