If you’re a fan of “Friends,” you’ve probably heard about the salad that she ate every day on set. Many attribute her current glow to all those years of eating this healthy yet fulfilling salad with around 10 ingredients that’s chock full of nutrients. Apparently, Lisa Kudrow and Courtney Cox also ate this salad every day for the entire decade that the series ran. In a 2010 LA Times article, Cox dubbed the salad one of her favorite rituals during her time on “Friends.”
According to many, this is Jen’s favorite food ever. It may make many of you wonder: can a salad really taste that good? If you turn it into a hearty and balanced meal, the answer is yes.
Packed with all kinds of healthy fats, veggies, protein and carbs, this salad is universally appealing for all kinds of eaters, which is shocking when you consider that there’s no dressing on it. It’s something about the blend of herbs and fresh flavors that fuse together. The salad s Mediterranean themed and contains bulgar, cucumbers, parsley, red onion, garbanzo beats, feta and mint for an absolutely irresistible dish. With all the components, it’s pretty similar to a classic tabouleh salad, making it a versatile dish for any occasion.
First, bring two cups of water or vegetable stock to a boil, adding a cup of bulgar. Then, cover it and let it simmer for 20 minutes. While it simmers (stir occasionally), prep a large bowl filled with your 1/4 cup to a 1/2 cup of mint, shelled pistachios, cucumbers, chickpeas, red onion, feta, bulgar and parsley.
Now, wait until the water or stock is fully absorbed in the bulgar and it reaches room temperature. Then, stir your ingredients from the large bowl and combine with the bulgar, stirring in and mixing well. This salad can either be served immediately or placed in an airtight container in the fridge. It should last at least a few days and makes for a fantastic meal prep option.
Many people consider a salad just to be a bowl full of boring greens, but that’s simply not true, and Jen Aniston proves that with her legendary “Friends” salad. Other people think that they need a salad filled with additives or artificial ingredients to make their salad taste better, but the “Friends” alum is helping raise awareness that fresh herbs and flavorful sheep or goat cheeses can help add that extra oomph without any processed ingredients. There are other variations on this vegetarian salad, like mixing in turkey bacon, some other lean protein, chopped tomatoes or avocado.
Not a fan of bulgar? Switch up the grains and use brown rice, farro, barley or cooked quinoa. Quinoa is also a suitable grain-free option for celiacs. Some people even report roasting the chickpeas as a hack for some added crunchiness. If raw red onions are a little too strong, consider using green onions or pickled onions instead. There are endless ways to customize and get creative with different nuts, herbs and veggies. If you do want to make a dressing, consider blending lemon juice, olive oil, pepper and salt, which suits most Mediterranean-style salads.
The colorful salad is also a suitable choice for anyone who doesn’t drink enough water throughout the day, as it contains cucumbers and other hydrating ingredients. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or looking for an easy weeknight meal that will make for some mouthwatering leftovers, be sure to make the light and refreshing Jennifer Aniston salad. If it tastes good enough to eat every day for ten years, we want to make it a staple in our everyday diets ASAP!
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