Photo:Jason Donnelly
Jason Donnelly
If you have health conditions that causechronic inflammationin your body, you’re not alone. I have struggled with this all of my adult life, and one of the most challenging side effects for me is the impact of inflammation in my gut. It causes quite a few issues, includinga case of IBSand the occasional inability to digest the foods I love, likebig salads. I love their textures, and as an Italian-American, anything coated in vinegar tastes good to me.
That’s why it deeply hurt to hear my gastroenterologist tell me thatraw vegetables weren’t the easiest for my body to digestwhen it’s inflamed. Luckily, I found a very simple solution that keeps my stomach happy: a warm salad. Cooking the vegetables to help make it easier for my body to break down has unlocked a whole new salad world. I start with a base of cooked greens, add grains, and then whatever toppings I crave, like squash and feta. While it takes just a bit more prep work, it’s just as tasty as a crisp salad and works so much better on cold winter days. Because I rely on these salads so much, I require a few kitchen tools to make the perfect warm salad. You’ll find they come in handy, too. Shop my salad essentials, frombowlstonontoxic cookware, starting at $30.
Warm Salad Essentials
Y Yhy 6-Piece 30-Ounce Pasta Bowl Set
Amazon
$50$30 at Amazon
Thesepasta bowlsare the perfect vessel for the entire salad. They are just the right size and shape, with a 30-ounce capacity and a shallow yet wide design that keeps everything tucked in. Aside from the design making it easy to get the perfect bite, I find that it helps hold the heat better than if I were to serve my salad on a plate. I love to layer my greens, tossed with a grain, dress them in the bowl and then add my toppings. They’re microwave-safe if I need to reheat meals and can go right into the dishwasher, too—a big win if you ask me.
Nordic Ware Big Sheet Pan Set
$40$35 at Amazon
$35 at Amazon
Calphalon 3.5-Quart Stainless Steel Saucepan
$80$60 at Amazon
One ingredient that’s non-negotiable for me on my warm salads is a cooked grain or seed. My favorite isquinoa, as it’s a true powerhouse. It’s packed with a whole lot of nutrients and is a complete protein. I’ve also used farro, millet and even wild rice. It helps with the texture and satiety of the salad. I usually opt for a stainless steel pot to cook the grains myself, and this Calphalon pick is one of our absolute favorites. We ranked the entire cookware set as our overall favoritenontoxic cookware seton the market. This 3.5-quart saucepan is the perfect pick to cook those tender grains and seeds, maintaining the hallmarks we love about these pieces, from its clever design to its optimal heat retention.
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See More from EatingWell
Le Creuset Dropped a Heart-Shaped Dutch Oven, and It’s the Perfect Gift for Valentine’s DayThese Cups Are Portable & Leakproof—and Shoppers Say They’re ‘Just the Right Size’ for Overnight OatsLululemon’s ‘We Made Too Much’ Section Has the Best Gear for Cold Weather Workouts
Le Creuset Dropped a Heart-Shaped Dutch Oven, and It’s the Perfect Gift for Valentine’s Day
These Cups Are Portable & Leakproof—and Shoppers Say They’re ‘Just the Right Size’ for Overnight Oats
Lululemon’s ‘We Made Too Much’ Section Has the Best Gear for Cold Weather Workouts
