As a daily content material shopper, I’ll admit that I’m simply influenced by most merchandise on the web. And with regards to handy, nutritious recipes splashed throughout my feeds, you guess I’m writing down the components and operating to the closest grocery retailer. So it ought to come as no shock that after I found the Jennifer Aniston salad, it was an instantaneous “I need to make this now” scenario.
You see, I used to be watching an extreme variety of YouTube movies (anybody else obsessive about Vogue’s superstar make-up tutorials?) after I noticed a video really useful for me titled one thing alongside the traces of “I ate just like the Mates solid for a day.” A “what I ate in a day” video mixed with an iconic TV present? Intrigued is an understatement. Within the video, I watched because the creator made this delicious-looking bulgur salad and reported that this was what Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, and Lisa Kudrow ate collectively for lunch day-after-day on set for 10 years. I’m undecided I’ve ever dedicated to something for that lengthy, so clearly this salad needed to be good. I’m by no means going to show down the prospect to attempt a brand new recipe—particularly one which got here from Jennifer Aniston herself.
As I scoured the web for a precise recipe, I realized that this salad was not actually the one the Mates actors ate for 10 years (that, allegedly, was a doctored up Cobb salad). This salad, now generally known as the Jennifer Aniston salad, was what she shared when she did a takeover for Dwelling Proof in 2015 showcasing a day in her life, together with her meals. Regardless, that didn’t deter me from making an attempt this at house, and right here’s how one can too.
The way to make the Jennifer Aniston salad
Assembling the salad is fairly simple. I used this recipe and its measurements, however there are many variations on-line. First, prepare dinner your bulgur in keeping with the bundle instructions. Bulgur is a hearty entire grain with a texture much like rice. From private expertise, bulgur may be onerous to trace down on the grocery retailer, so I feel that some other entire grain akin to quinoa, brown rice, or farro would work properly right here. Whereas the bulgur is cooking, chop your purple onion, mini cucumbers, mint, parsley, and pistachios. As soon as the bulgur is completed and cooled, it’s only a matter of throwing all of the ready components collectively, topping it with a can of drained chickpeas, feta cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Toss the salad collectively and there you’ve got it!
My overview as a registered dietician
Upon first chew, I used to be genuinely impressed. I might by no means have considered pairing pistachios and mint collectively in a salad, however each flavors labored very well collectively. The veggies gave a pleasant crunch, and the easy dressing of lemon juice and olive oil stored the salad feeling contemporary and light-weight. I ended up having seconds after which a number of extra bites after as a result of it was simply that good. I do know this wasn’t the precise salad that the solid of Mates ate for 10 years, however that doesn’t imply I wouldn’t eat it day-after-day for lunch.
I used to be initially focused on making this salad as a result of not solely did it appear tremendous straightforward, however it’s additionally a filling, plant-based meal. The veggies and bulgur pack a fibrous punch, the olive oil and pistachios present heart-healthy fat, and the chickpeas make an ideal plant-based protein supply. Plus, if you wish to make it utterly vegan, you may omit the feta or use a plant-based cheese as an alternative.
What I actually beloved about this salad (except for the truth that Jennifer Aniston eats it) is that it’s utterly customizable. Whereas I really like all of the components as is, I may additionally change out the bulgur for a distinct grain, add extra spices, or throw in some extra veggies. Given how straightforward it’s to make forward of time, it additionally makes for an ideal meal prep dish so as to add to your weekly rotation.
The ultimate verdict
It really makes me surprise if the key to Jennifer Aniston’s glowing success is wholesome hacks like throwing collectively this salad. Whereas I don’t suppose consuming this salad day by day and even weekly goes to show me into her, a lady can dream, proper? Regardless, I’m undoubtedly recommending this salad to everybody I do know for a simple, nutrient-dense, meal prep recipe.
Supply: The Every Girl