Healthy and Interesting Summer Salads!

Salads are the perfect light and healthy dish for the warmer weather, but it doesn't just have to be limp lettuce with the usual olive oil dressing so read on for more exciting ideas..

ingredients:

For the salad:

8 ounces pasta (I used Rotini)
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup grape tomatoes
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 cup diced orange or yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/2 cup sweet corn (can use frozen corn)
1 large avocado, peeled, seeded, and diced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 lime, for juicing over the salad
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

For the Creamy Avocado Dressing:

2 ripe avocados, peeled and seeded
3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt (I use Chobani)
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1 small jalapeño pepper, chopped and seeds removed
2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

directions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water and stir in the pasta. Cook until al dente. Rinse with cold water and set aside.

2. While the pasta is cooking, make the Creamy Avocado Dressing. Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

3. In a large bowl, combine pasta, black beans, tomatoes, peppers, red onion, corn, and chopped avocado. Pour dressing over pasta salad and stir until salad is well coated. Season with salt and pepper. Squeeze fresh lime juice over the salad, so the avocados don't brown. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve at room temperature or chilled.

Note-you may have leftover dressing, depending on how "dressed" you like your pasta salad. If the dressing is too thick, add more buttermilk.

ngredients:

2 cups water
1 cup quinoa
Pinch of salt
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup chopped cucumber
1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup feta cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

To make the dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano

directions:

1. Using a strainer, rinse the quinoa under cold water. Add quinoa, water, and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork. Let quinoa cool to room temperature.

2. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion, and feta cheese.

3. To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano in a small bowl. Pour dressing over the salad and stir until mixed well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

ingredients:

For the Dressing:

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh basil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the salad:

2 cups water
1 cup quinoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 small bunch asparagus, about 15 spears, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 cup frozen peas
1 avocado, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped basil

directions:

1. In a small bowl or medium jar, combine the dressing ingredients. Whisk to combine or shake with the jar lid on tight. Set aside.

2. Add water, quinoa, and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

3. While the quinoa is cooking, cook the asparagus. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the asparagus and fresh lemon juice. Cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the peas and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

4. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, asparagus, peas, and avocado. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir until well coated. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in the fresh basil and serve.

recipes from http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/20-summer-salad-recipes/ 

World Cup Fever - Brazil Nut Recipe!

The world cup is around the corner and everywhere seems to be getting into the Brazilian spirit!

Whether your into football or not, there's always a recipe to be inspired and today that's brazil nuts..

Brazil nuts are actually edible seeds, best enjoyed unsalted for health benefits. You can purchase raw nuts in the shell and boil to soften the shells or purchase dry roasted. Since brazil nuts contain high amounts of fat (though the fats are healthy “unsaturated), limit consumption of brazil nuts to three times/week. One serving of brazil nuts is around eight medium-sized nuts.

Here are some of the health benefits of brazil nuts:

• Selenium- Brazil nuts are especially rich in selenium, which helps your body use the protein found in nuts. This makes them an especially good source of protein for vegetarians. Selenium helps support the immune system and is a very powerful antioxidant. In a recent study, brazil nuts were found to help prevent breast cancer. Selenium is also associated with prostate health.

Keep in mind that unshelled nuts contain four times the amount of selenium. You will have to boil the shells to soften.

• Magnesium- Brazil nuts are rich in magnesium, which is important to nerve and muscle function.
   
• Zinc- The zinc in brazil nuts help strengthen the immune system, as the numerous zinc cold remedies available at your local pharmacy attest.
   
• Vitamin E- Vitamin E, found in brazil nuts, is an important contributor to heart health.

http://www.favehealthyrecipes.com/Healthy-Eating/Health-Benefits-of-Brazil-Nuts-and-Top-Recipe#7qFtDeVytxtUiH8W.99

Below is a recipe for a deliciously simple brazil nut salad; whether it's for a party or a healthy lunch, why not give it a go?

what you need

1

Tbsp.  balsamic vinegar

2

tsp.  GREY POUPON Dijon Mustard

2

tsp.  honey

1

oz.  goat cheese, crumbled

4

oz.  BREAKSTONE'S FREE or KNUDSEN FREE Fat Free Cottage Cheese

2

cups  chopped romaine lettuce

1

 medium red pepper, chopped

3

 Brazil nuts, chopped

 

1

 medium banana

 

1

  On-the-Go packet

1

 bottle of water, 20 fl oz

make it

IN a small bowl mix vinegar, mustard, and honey; season to taste with favourite salt-free seasoning. In a separate small bowl, blend crumbled goat cheese with cottage cheese. Lay lettuce on plate and top with cheese mixture. Arrange chopped red pepper in a circle around salad. Place sliced nuts on top of the cheese and drizzle with vinegar mixture.

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/goat-cheese-brazil-nut-salad-58696.aspx