Serves: 5

The biggest problem with salads is the chopping ... but you can just leave that knife in the drawer with these recipes. No chopping involved here: just rinse the ingredients, pat dry, and rip apart!

Salads seem to make a meal complete, but it can get rather monotonous if you keep preparing the same salad night after night. Keep variety in mind when you’re planning your salads. Color and texture are important factors. Try adding peeled zucchini strips or crunchy red cabbage to your salads. Something as simple as changing from yellow onions to red onions or green peppers to yellow peppers can brighten up a salad.

If you want to give your salad more body, add pre-sliced mushrooms, frozen and thawed green peas, garbanzo beans, or broccoli flowerets. And don’t underestimate the power of fresh herbs, such as basil, cilantro, and even parsley. Herbs add zing and enhance the existing flavor of any salad.

It is a great idea to keep several types of salad dressing on hand too. Try drizzling a different dressing than you usually use over sliced cucumbers and tomatoes. Or use them instead of mayonnaise on sandwiches or burgers.

One final tip: opt for the salad when it’s your turn to bring a dish, especially if you’re like me . . . always running behind schedule!

More Recipes from the Last Minute Meals for People with Diabetes Cookbook:
*No-Chop Salads
Angel Slaw With Orange-Ginger Vinaigrette
Baby Spinach And Pasta Salad
Balsamic Asparagus And Hearts Of Palm
Black-Eyed Pea And Barley Salad
Cilantro Black Bean And Rice Salad
Cold And Creamy Sweet Corn Salad
Couscous Salad With Capers And Olives
Creamy Pea And Macaroni Salad
Marinated Artichoke And Mushroom-Basil Salad
Romaine And Creamy Dill Dressing
Shredded Chipotle Taco Salad
Spring Greens With Raspberry Spice Vinaigrette
Torn Crouton Caesar Salad