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Better & Safer Mixed Salads

I have a short but "doleful" tale to tell, and a solution that saves time and money.   For various reasons, it's vital that I have on hand the makings for a dark green salad every day.  I hate to purchase several varieties, and then throw much of it away since there's only two of us eating it, so for variety and time I've been buying Dole's bagged mixed salad greens.  At first I didn't have a grave problem although I did have some loss, but it got to the point I had to pick over the greens endlessly and eventually throw half out.  That's costly, and annoying to have to make another trip to the store. Sometimes there were rotten bits in the greens when we bought them.

I have long poked a hole or two in any produce sealed in plastic, on the theory that if it's alive, it needs to breath.  I opened the bags immediately upon purchase, but this didn't help much.

Since our small neighborhood market doesn't carry them, and the local Winn-Dixie is trying to resolve grave financial problems, I tried sending my daughter out of her way to buy them at Publix, with little improvement.  I contacted Winn Dixie about the problem, asking when they get them in, and didn't get a response.  I then reported the problem to Dole, and asked also where to find an expiration date on the bag, and they never answered me either.  (Shame on both of them!)  Since the I have read that rarely, according to the FDA, E. coli have been found on Dole pre-packaged salads, another reason to wash and pick them over.  Maybe they're too busy with this problem to answer.

I did notice, however, that when we (rarely) found the greens in a plastic box they lasted longer although there was still significant loss. Inspiration struck!  I saved the next couple of boxes, chipped little drain holes the bottoms, and saved them.  Next bag of greens I put in a clean basin of cold water, swished around, and lifted out.  Tiny bits, some already unhealthy looking, were left behind.  Emptied the water, refilled and added a little veggie wash.  Soaked a couple of minutes, swished and lifted out.  Then I rinsed a third time, and placed in a large colander.  When well drained, I packed them loosely in the plastic box from Dole.   I believe a Fridgesmart Small Container would work even better and intend to buy one my next order.

Not only is there no more spoilage, but the greens crisp up until they are truly a joy to eat!  Try it.

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