Jennifer Aniston recently debunked the viral version of her namesake salad. While it does sound delicious and you can add your own personal twist at home, we tried (and loved!) the real salad that Jennifer faithfully ate every single day while filming Friends.
This quick and nutritious version of a Cobb salad packs a protein punch, which Dr. Oppezzo, Head of the Stanford Lifestyle Medicine Nutrition Pillar, says is an essential nutrient for aging well. “There is a growing body of evidence that shows health benefits of consuming higher amounts of protein as we age, including slowing down age-related loss of muscle mass,” says Dr. Oppezzo.
Ready to try this celeb favorite recipe? Let’s eat!
The Jennifer Aniston Salad
Ingredients
Makes one large portion, or two side salads.
-
½ of an iceberg lettuce, shredded
-
1½ cups of chopped tomatoes
-
1⅔ cups of garbanzo beans
-
¼ cup of diced salami
-
¼ cup of crunchy turkey bacon
-
1 cup of chicken
-
2 tablespoons of pecorino cheese
-
½ cup of Italian dressing, to taste (from a bottle, or try our homemade version below)
Directions
Add all green and protein ingredients into a large bowl. Toss with dressing until you’re at your preferred taste. Sprinkle with pecorino cheese. Serve and enjoy!
Movement Living Tip: If you’re packing the salad for lunch, or preparing a few meals for later, layer your ingredients from wet to dry in a large jar or container: tomatoes, garbanzo beans, lettuce, chicken, salami, bacon, cheese. Keep the dressing on the side, and save for later!
Homemade Italian Dressing
Ingredients
-
1 tablespoon lemon juice
-
2 tablespoons good quality balsamic vinegar
-
1 clove garlic, minced
-
Handful basil leaves, chopped
-
⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
-
Kosher salt, to taste
-
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions
Step 1. Combine the lemon juice, vinegar, and garlic in a small bowl.
Step 2. Add the basil and stir to combine.
Step 3. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the dressing emulsifies.
Step 4. Season to taste.
Step 5. Whisk again before dressing the salad.
Store any leftover dressing refrigerated and enjoy with your favorite salads or veggies.
