Start With Bagged Salads

Did you know that bagged salads are the second largest selling item in grocery stores? Bottled water is the only more popular product. I remember before these washed and trimmed greens were available making salads was one of my most hated kitchen chores. Even with the advent of salad spinners, I still disliked having to clean and trim lettuces. And it's amazing how quickly a head of lettuce will go south at the back of the fridge.

Bagged salads are more expensive than plain lettuce, but I know I'm saving money because there's no waste and I'm not throwing away sad looking vegetables every week. The convenience alone is worth it to me! There are many types of bagged salads available, from baby spinach to fancy mixed greens that include frisee and arugula.

There has been some controversy about the safety of these products. Some food poisoning outbreaks have been linked to bagged salads. But experts say that it's safer to eat these products right out of the bag without washing, since washing them in your sink could contaminate the greens. When you buy them, make sure that you pick products with the expiration date as far in the future as possible. Eating the freshest greens is the easiest way to stay food safe.

Add some cooked sliced beef, chicken, pork, or shrimp to any of these recipes to make a hearty main dish. Enjoy every bite.

Start With Bagged Salads

• Scrambled Eggs with Spinach
  This simple recipe is perfect for a light dinner or a hearty breakfast. Make sure that the spinach is well drained before you add it to the eggs so they don't become watery.
• Canadian Bacon and Peach Salad
  Just four ingredients make a fabulously flavorful salad that's good anytime. Keep these ingredients on hand for a quick dinner when you're too tired to cook.
• Balsamic Chicken Salad
  Havarti cheese and salad greens and just two other ingredients make this fabulous salad ready in about 10 minutes.
• Asian Chicken Salad
  A few foods from the deli (or leftovers) plus a bag of salad greens makes this wonderful and refreshing salad so easy.
• Easy Cobb Salad Wrap Sandwiches
  Any salad mix can be tossed with dressing and rolled up in a tortilla to make a super simple sandwich.
• Best Beefy Taco Salad
  Any salad is also fabulous packaged in a crisp taco shell! Make your own combinations using this simple method.
• BLT Wrap Sandwiches
  I love BLT sandwiches, and wraps are much easier to eat. Yum.
• Italian Bread Salad
  This incredibly good recipe starts with focaccia bread and adds salami and veggies for a delicious meal.
• Mexican Greens Salad
  Spicy chili beans are the secret ingredient in this super hearty and spicy recipe. You'll love it.