Easy Green Salad with Garlic Dill Dressing

I wanted to throw out a quick salad recipe for any of those last minute 4th of July BBQ parties. Sometimes we get invited to something and either I can’t think up a dang side dish to bring or it’s a late invitation and I don’t have time to run to the store. I wanted to provided a quick, but delicious side that will be devoured at a party, but it doesn’t take extra effort on your part. Some of you may not need such an easy salad, but you still will want to try the homemade dressing. I include the salad recipe for a very specific reason. I get asked often what to throw in a salad. In fact, many times I’ll be talking to someone and they will say, “I’d never throw together a salad, I always buy the bags because I wouldn’t know what to put in it.” First of all, that’s sad. Not dumb, just sad. How sad that we live in a society that depends so much on others making our food that we’ve forgotten how to create our own food. Vegetables in salads are lovely, and not difficult. Sometimes you just need to try someone else’s recipe and then as you get more comfortable you find yourself not only taking note of what others are making which makes you start trying things, but it also gets you to start experimenting.

First of all, not everything turns out perfect. Relax. Take a deep breath. It doesn’t matter. If you go to throw together a salad and all you have are eggs and croutons, no worries. A little protein never hurt anyone. It may not be a big, beautiful salad like you planned, but it can still taste awesome and people will love that something so simple turned out great.

Second, don’t be afraid to try new things. I know you love the store bought salad dressings, but it is not hard to make your own. In fact, you can even throw everything in a Mason jar and let the kids shake it up.

Last, buy fresh produce when you can and base your meals around the produce instead of the meat. I’m serious. You’ll find yourself using it more instead of wasting so much from the crisper, annnnnnnd you will find yourself trying new things. Think about it, if all you have left in the fridge is asparagus, and bacon and tomatoes, you may find yourself trying a new sandwich like my old friend, Lee who created an awesome sammy a while back with garlic aioli. Buy fresh produce. Use it. Experiment. And if you are scared, go out to eat, order something with veggies on it, in it, or a veggie dish and let it inspire you at home

One more thing before we move on. Remember above, how I mentioned making your own dressing? Do it. Tomorrow. The next day. Forever. I’m serious. Once you go fresh you’ll never go back. 😉 Well, depending on the dressing you may occasionally, but homemade really is easy and so yummy. This dressing has a little hit of dill and garlic which almost gives it a ranch-y taste, but it’s still unique. I happen to really enjoy it. And having it in a jar makes me happy. Not completely sure why. It’s kind of like having someone else make your sandwich. Even if they use the same ingredients it’s somehow better than if you’d done it yourself.

Does Dill Have Any Nutritional Value?

Dill weed is a good source of calcium, manganese and iron.

The antioxidants and flavonoids in dill provide anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that give it a whole host of incredible health benefits.

What Are the Health Benefits Of Spinach?

Spinach is high in nutrients such as iron, folate, vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, and potassium.

Dark, leafy greens like spinach are important for skin, hair, and bone health.

Some of the health benefit of eating spinach include, improving blood glucose control in people with diabetes, lowering the risk of cancer, and improving bone health, as well as supplying minerals and vitamins that can provide a range of different benefits.

Is Romaine Lettuce Healthy?

Romaine lettuce is a very good source of dietary fiber, manganese, potassium, biotin, vitamin B1, copper, iron and vitamin C.

Romaine lettuce is considered one of the most nutritious salad greens.