Quick Asian Chopped Salad (with a store-bought shortcut)

There’s no getting around the fact that the very best tasting and most nutritious lettuces and greens are going to come from your very own garden, your CSA box, or a farmers’ market. But the reality is, the convenience of prepared greens is hard to beat and may be the only way some of us are getting salads on the table. As for pre-made salad mixes — the kind that comes with the dressing and all the goodies — I’ve been less than impressed. But recently, I’ve found that some of the Asian salad mixes, when embellished with a few items from my pantry, make for a tasty and quick desk lunch. I’ve also taken to sending them to school in the kids’ lunch boxes and they routinely come home empty.

Here’s how it goes down: take a couple handfuls of the salad mix, add baked tofu or leftover cooked chicken (shrimp, beef, or pork would work, too), add salted nuts, and toss it with equal parts of the provided dressing and your own vinegar (I find the dressings in salad mixes too sweet and need the balance of a splash of acid). Plus, this means less added sugar in your finished lunch.

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Quick Asian Chopped Salad (with a store-bought shortcut)

This is a "speed/scratch" answer to a quick desk (or school) lunch that has become a regular part of the meal rotation in our house. Adding vinegar to the dressing provided in the mix cuts down the amount of added sugar and makes for a more flavorful salad. Nuts, chicken, or tofu provided appealing flavor, crunch, and enough protein to make for a filling lunch.

Ingredients

• 1 bag store bought Asian chopped salad mix (see notes)
• 1/2 cup cubed cooked chicken or baked teriyaki tofu (more for bigger appetites)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons salted , roasted peanuts or cashews
• Apple cider or rice wine vinegar

Instructions

1. Put a couple of handfuls of Asian salad mix into a medium bowl. Add the chicken/tofu and peanut/cashews. Drizzle equal parts of the dressing from the salad mix with equal parts vinegar, enough to dress the salad. Toss well and transfer to a serving plate or bowl. Scatter on a tablespoon or 2 of the wontons and other crunchy bits included in the salad mix.
2. Serve

Recipe Notes

Most supermarkets, Trader Joe's, Costco, and many organic markets sell bagged Asian salad mixes all washed and ready to go. Some are better than others in terms of taste and nutrition, so have a look at the label. We've had good luck with the Your Taylor Farms brand. Alternatively, you can make your own salad mix to have on hand by mixing together shredded cabbage, grated carrots, and chopped cilantro and scallions. It will keep well stored in a sealed bag with a paper towel for about a week.