Strawberry Balsamic Bacon Salad (in a jar)

Remember those healthy recipes I promised back in this post?

Ok well I'm finally getting around to some. I couldn't be more thrilled to share this little gem with you! 

First off, if you haven't tried salads in a jar yet you are missing out! I love how versatile they are and they last for several days - perfect for packing lunches! You could make just about any kind of salad - taco, oriental, Greek, Cesar, and the list goes on and on...

As the last of the summer strawberries are still in season, I decided to buy a big batch at Costco. I cut them up and used them throughout the week - but these salads were really what I had in mind for them.

There's something so refreshing about fruit on a salad. I love the combination of sweet and savory.

I was able to put together two salads very quickly - in about the time it took me to cook the bacon, I had assembled and chopped everything else.

Aren't they pretty? Keep upright and refridgerated and these beauties will last in the fridge up to 5 days!

If you use a different container, be sure not to put the dressing on until right before you eat it.

Strawberry Balsamic Bacon Salad

You will need (for one salad):

•  a 1 Quart Mason jar (wide mouth works best) or other container for your salad
• 3 TBS of balsamic dressing (or your favorite vinnegrette)
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1/3-1/2 cup cut strawberries
• 1/2 cup chopped, cooked turkey bacon (or real bacon)
• 2 TBS feta cheese
• 1 heaping TBS chopped pecans or nut
• 1-2 cups fresh spinach

Directions: Start with a clean, dry jar. Put dressing in bottom of jar. Start to layer ingredients starting with the onion and strawberries. These will "marinate" in the dressing and are OK touching it. Next is the bacon, followed by the nuts and cheese. Finish off your jar with spinach, to the top, without packing too tightly.

To serve: I like to dump my jar in a large bowl and then eat. If your jar is not tightly packed you can shake it up and enjoy it right in the jar!

Have you made salads in a jar? What is your favorite combination?

 TTFN,