I can hardly believe that yesterday was the first day of my daughter going to second grade! Time just flies these days, even more so when it's time for back-to-school. It's a chaotic and unforgiving time of the year for any parent. That's why I'm all about simple meal solutions right now. And with it still hovering around 100 degrees F. here in Austin Texas right now, you know I'm opting for a nice big, cool, crunchy, veggie loaded salad.

This Southwest Dinner salad is no joke. It's big. It's hearty. And it's loaded up with plenty of goodness. It's really so sooo good.

I used up some red beans that I made the other day, but black beans or pinto beans (either homemade beans or cans of reduced sodium beans) are also great options! I also used up some cooked shredded chicken that I had stored away in the freezer.

What makes this salad though, is the Farm Rich Avocado Slices! I love that Farm Rich products are made with wholesome ingredients, quick-frozen and carefully packaged so we (as busy parents) can prepare yummy food in minutes. Farm Rich helps parents like us, let go of the guilt and embrace the craziness of life, especially during the school year, by offering simple snacking and meal solutions.

Southwest Dinner Salad
TheSkinnyFork.com

The Skinny:
Servings: 4 • Size: 1 Prepared Salad • Calories: 440 • Fat: 20 g • Saturated Fat: 5 g • Carb: 52 g • Fiber: 11 g • Protein: 18 g • Sugar: 7 g • Sodium: 534 mg

Ingredients:
8 C. Lettuce (I used butter lettuce.)
1/2 Box Farm Rich Avocado Slices
2 Ears of Corn, Kernels Removed from Cob
1/2 C. Greek Ranch Dressing
1 Tbsp. Taco Seasoning
2 C. Reduced Sodium Beans (Homemade or Drained & Rinsed from Cans)
1 Medium Tomato, Chopped
1/2 C. Shredded Reduced Fat Cheddar

Optional Toppings: 2 C. Cooked Shredded Chicken or Ground Beef, Pickled Jalapeños, Salsa, Etc.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. and line baking sheets with foil or a baking mat for easy clean up.

Place the 1/2 box of Farm Rich Avocado Slices on one of the prepared baking sheets and the corn kernels on the other.

I picked these Avocado Slices up at my local Walmart in the freezer section.

Transfer both baking sheets to the oven to bake for about 9-10 minutes.

While the avocado and corn are cooking, mix together the 1/2 C. Greek Ranch Dressing and 1 Tbsp. Taco Seasoning together in a small bowl; set aside in the fridge to chill.

Once the Farm Rich Avocado Slices and corn are done, remove them from the oven and allow to cool slightly.

Build up your salads by placing about 2 C. of lettuce into each bowl, followed by 1/4 C. beans, 1/4 C. of meat (if desired), 2 tbsp. cheese, and the avocado, corn, and tomato divided evenly along with 2 Tbsp. of the prepared taco ranch dressing.

Enjoy right away!

Nutrition Claims: Balanced, High Fiber, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Gluten Free, Wheat Free, Egg Free, Peanut Free, Tree Nut Free, Soy Free, Fish Free, Shellfish Free, Pork Free, Red Meat Free, Crustacean Free, Celery Free, Mustard Free, Sesame Free, Lupine Free, Mollusk Free, Alcohol Free, No Sugar Added, Kosher