Alright, so who is team Panera or team St. Louis Bread Company? For those of you who have been to what is now called Panera– with its now 2,000+ locations, let me give you a little history of the establishment… that was actually founded in Kirkwood, Missouri 🙂
In 1987 St. Louis Bread Company was founded in its first location in Kirkwood, Missouri ( which is actually where I live!) Then about 6 years laters another company bought St. Louis Bread Company & then in 1997, change the name to Panera. However, locations around St. Louis area still called St. Louis Bread Company when you search on maps or have original signage, but will take you to Panera Website.
Love the little.. well big history!
So you are probably thinking… Alaina, I am not in your class, you don’t need to teach me a history lesson 😉 WELL, there is a method behind my madness. That madness is I wanted to recreate my favorite ST.LOUIS BREAD CO. salad. Hahaha yes you will know where someone is from based on what they call the restaurant//bakery. I love love love the Modern Greek Salad. I get it every time we go there now. Now, I love getting it from them, however I was determined to recreate this salad at home to where I don’t have to spend 10 bucks. I am all about only eating out once a week, so I wanted to make this obtainable from lunches and/or dinner doing the week!
Well let me tell you, I nailed it and cannot wait to share with you all! Even if you haven’t had this salad from St. Louis Bread Co./ Panera before, you will quickly fall in love with this clean Greek Dressing, healthy salad and it will soon be a favorite!
What makes this Copy Cat Panera Greek Salad… MODERN?
I am not quite sure Bread Co. ‘s reason for calling it modern but I would have to guess the little, but powerful, tasty adds to a classical Greek salad that makes it modern 🙂
Quinoa –
+ known to be packed with important nutrients, however also plant componds that have been linked to anti-inflammatory, anti depressant, anti viral and anti cancer effects.
+ is gluten free, so perfect for people with gluten intolerance
+ very high in fiber
+ high in protein which can increase metabolisma and reduce appetite
+ high in iron & magnesium as well
Considered one of the most healthiest & most nutritious foods on the plant– woah there!
Toasted Almonds-
+ appetite control
+ packed with antioxidants
+ high in vitamin E which is known to help fight cancers
+ help with blood sugar
What Ingredients Are Needed For The Copy Cat Panera Modern Greek Dressing?
- olive oil (or grape seed oil works great)
- regular olive oil
- white wine vinegar
- lemon juice
- chopped shallots
- garlic clove minced
- dried oregano
- salt
- basil
- 1/4 pepper
Directions: In immersion blender cup, add in all the above ingredients. Immersion blend quickly up & down for 3 seconds. You will see it start to get a creamy color like above. You don’t want to immersion blend too long, because you don’t want the oregano flakes to be completely emulsified, but you want it to still incorporate to see that color change to a more “creamy” look.
Other HGHF Lunch Recipes Must Make Recipes
Apple Gorgonzola Salad with Honey Shallot Dressing
How to Make a Perfect Salad Nicoise
The Best Tuna Noodle Pasta
Quick Guacamole Black Bean Burger
Copy Cat Panera Modern Greek Salad
Equipment
- Frying pan
- stock pot
Ingredients
Healthy Greek Salad Dressing
- 2/3 cup light olive oil
- 1/3 cup regular olive oil
- 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp shallots
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp dried basil
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Modern Greek Salad Ingredients
- 5 oz baby mix
- 2 cups kale
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives
- 4 oz feta cheese
- 1/2 cup quinoa
- 1/4 cup red onions
- 1/2 cup almonds
- 12 cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 tbsp butter
Instructions
Healthy Greek Salad Dressing
- In immersion blender cup, add in all the above ingredients. Immersion blend quickly up & down for 3 seconds. You will see it start to get a creamy color like above. You don't want to immersion blend too long, because you don't want the oregano flakes to be completely emulsified, but you want it to still incorporate to see that color change to a more "creamy" look.
Modern Greek Salad
- In a large frying pan add in 1/2 tbsp of butter and turn on medium heat. Wait for butter to start to melt then add in sliced almonds. Toast, while continue to move them around for 3-5 minutes, until they start to brown on both sides. You want them brown not dark to burnt. Then place off heat until ready to build salad!
- Cook Quinoa based on package instructions. Then place in large bowl to cool until ready to build salad too
- In 2 bowls disperse the greens. then layer on the cucumbers, sliced onions, toasted almonds, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, quinoa & then drizzle the delicious healthy greek dressing on top!
Nutrition
By far my favorite lunch salad ever!
I am so thrilled to hear that Kate!! It is one of my absolute favorites, so it makes me so excited when I hear it is someone else’s too 🙂
Love this salad!!! And love everything you post!
Caitlin I am so glad to hear!!! I love using the dressing for chicken marinade as well– great thing to try when you love the salad :)!!
delicious!
ah yay Riley!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to review!!
This is my favorite dish from Bread Co and thanks to Alaina it has become my favorite salad to make at home! It’s my go-to when I’m craving a big salad, and it’s simple to put together. Definitely recommend!
Yay Maggie!! I am so glad to hear that— that is my favorite from Bread Co too– was so sad when they stopped carrying it now!! I am so glad this is your go to :)!
Great recipe! I substituted a brown rice and quinoa mix that I had and it worked well. I also used a white peach balsamic for the dressing (because that was all I had at home), and the sweetness added a nice touch.
Hi Meryl!! Yay!! I am so glad to hear that. Thank you!! I am so glad your accommodations were so tasty!! That balsamic sounds so good!