Apple-Almond Salad Recipe and Learning Activity

An easy middle school nutrition/cooking lesson, as well as a good Valentine’s Day salad idea!

 Apple-Almond Salad

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 8, or 32 (1/4 cup serving) tasting samples

Ingredients:
1 cup non-fat, bottled raspberry vinaigrette
8 small apples, diced
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped almonds
8 cups bagged, pre-cut mixed greens

Directions:

1. In advance, rinse and drain the apples and mixed greens.
2. In a large salad bowl, add the ingredients and toss gently.
3. Serve ¼ cup tasting samples on each small dessert plates with a fork.
4. Have kids clean up work area and utensils with warm soapy water. Rinse with clean water.

Per full-size serving (1 ¾ cups): 221 calories, 5 g pro., 6 g fat, 24% calories from fat

Recipe source: (Modified) Education.com-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 6/11.

Taste and Learn Activity for Middle School Students

Materials: MyPlate Poster

1. Fill half of a standard size meal plate with salad and explain it represents the fruits and vegetables on the MyPlate poster.
2. Discuss how eating that amount at meals helps kids get their suggested daily servings of fiber.
3. Ask kids to think of the fruits/veggies they ate yesterday.
4. Did the amount they ate fill half a plate? Have them draw a representation of their plate.
5. Ask kids to create a menu using the recipe and the other MyPlate food groups (Grains, Protein, and Dairy).
6. Have them create a grocery list for their menu.

*This Taste and Learn Activity is from the Explore MyPlate with School Nutrition book, for grades 6-8, page 123.