If you read my menu plans often, you know I don’t put tons of effort into my fruit and vegetable side dishes. I like sides that need no cooking(we eat a lot of vegetable salads and raw fruit), and this one is no exception. I’m indebted to my friend Laura for this idea(the same Laura who finally prodded me into going to Aldi’s!). She brought this salad over a few weeks ago when she and her family came for dinner, and all of my family loved it!
If you are fortunate enough to have an Aldi’s in your area, you can pick up all the ingredients for this salad for very little moola(the large bag of spinach picture below is only $1.39!).
Spinach Salad
You’ll need:
bagged spinach
sliced almonds(I think toasted pecans would be delicious too.)
dried cranberries
chopped apple
dressing of your choice
To reduce the possibility of salad waste, I get out our salad bowls and make individual salads for everyone, based on the amount I think they’ll eat. This way, we don’t end up with a big bowl of salad in our fridge, and the unused ingredients can be put away for the next salad.
If you’re going to do it my way, just put spinach in each of the bowls and top it with the almonds, cranberries, and chopped apple. Then just pass the dressing at the table.
Or, if you’re making one big salad, just put the spinach into a large salad bowl, toss it with the cranberries, nuts, and chopped apple and add the dressing of your choice.
Enjoy your cheap and easy salad!
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That looks excellent! I love fruits and nuts on my salads
That looks great! I might just have to check out our Aldi sometime…
Great recipe and pictures! I think I will try it tonight w/blue cheese crumbles. You have inspired me to visit my local Aldi’s (just a 10 minute trip)!
How cute is that little one in the middle?! I love it! And the salad looks good too!
How funny! This is my absolute FAVORITE salad (sans the almonds and dressing, and plus shredded cheddar cheese). I’m sure I don’t make it quite so cheaply though since I have yet to visit Aldi’s. I plan to go this Monday!
That salad sounds great! I’m intrigued by this Aldi’s. We don’t have one anywhere near me.
What kind of dressing do you use for this salad? I’ve tried to put a simple vinegar/oil together to go along with mine but I’m doing something wrong. Please help
Alison in kY
Alison, I use the raspberry dressing that Aldi sells, or I use a vidalia onion vinaigrette that is sold at warehouse clubs. Those are both sort of sweet dressings, so they work nicely.
I make this salad all the time. To make it extra special sometimes I add Feta cheese crumbles. This gives it a great flavor.
I just tried your Spinach salad- Very delicious!
I was looking at your menu plans for the week and clicked on your spinach salad link out of curiosity. It made me smile because this is very similar to the salad I frequently make for myself or to take to potluck dinners. Many restaurants serve some variation of this type of salad. Myself, I use various salad greens depending on what looks good and the price, and I add chopped apple and craisins as you do. Sometimes I add chopped raw fennel. Sometimes I’ve used chopped mango or oranges as the fruit. I most often use walnuts and blue cheese crumbles (over other types of nuts and cheeses). And usually I make my own salad dressing of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, a little sugar (or honey) and salt and pepper, shaken up in a jar. I’ve had it with a Rasberry Walnut bottled dressing which was excellent also. It’s a great salad – and I’m not a huge salad lover! This one is always a winner.
This is very good! We used a low cal raspberry vinegarette. I think if you added a little chicken this would be great for a lunch.
I going to check out the Aldi this week..we have one right down the street. The spinach salad sounds and looks great!
I have enjoyed reading your blogs and seeing pictures you post. I saw you on the 700 club and haven’t missed a week since reading your blogs.
I have done so much better at food waste…except for last week. I was just sick when I had to throw out the leftovers this morning. I will do better this week, I am determined!