Garden Veggie Mediterranean Salad

Veggie Garden Greek Salad

I love making this salad because most ingredients come from my vegetable and herb gardens. It is packed full of flavor. Serve with pita or just make as a side dish.

Recipe

1 pound ripe tomatoes, chopped

2 bunches scallions, chopped

2 thin sweet green cucumbers (hothouse works), sliced

16 ounces garbanzo beans (optional) rinsed well

1/3 cup fresh parsley leaves chopped

1/3 cup fresh mint leaves chopped

1/3 cup fresh basil leaves chopped

Juice of 2 lemons

1 tablespoon fresh chopped garlic

1/2 cup olive oil

8 ounces feta cheese crumbled

Sea salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together into a large bowl and serve! Easy!

Asian Chicken Salad

Asian Chicken Salad

Fresh, filling and full of flavor! You are going to love this salad!

Recipe

3 oranges, with the pith and membrane cut away from the wedges

1/3 cup rice vinegar

3 tablespoons coconut aminos

1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce

3 tablespoons fresh minced ginger

1 tablespoon honey

3 tablespoons liquid coconut oil

2 teaspoons toasted sesame seed oil

1 rotisserie chicken shredded

1 head Napa cabbage sliced thin

2 red bell peppers, chopped

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

1 bunch scallion, chopped

1/2 to 1 cup cashew halves

After removing the pith and membrane from the oranges, squeeze the rest of the juice out of the oranges to equal 6 tablespoons.  In a separate bowl, make the sauce by whisking the vinegar, coconut aminos, ginger, chili garlic sauce, honey, orange juice, and oils together. In a large bowl mix together the chicken, cabbage, peppers, cilantro, scallions and cashews together. Pour the dressing over the top and mix with tongs. Serve immediately.

 

Chicken and Apple Green Salad

Apple Chicken Green Salad

Every time I go to Costco I pick up a rotisserie chicken and make this salad. It’s simple, filling and yummy!

Recipe

8-10 cups mixed greens of your choice

1 whole rotisserie chicken, chopped

2 Gala apples, chopped

1/2 red onion thinly sliced

1 cucumber, chopped

1/2 – 1 cup feta cheese crumbles (optional)

Toss ingredients together and serve with your favorite ranch dressing.

 

Simple Yogurt Fruit Salad

Simple Yogurt Fruit Salad

I love an easy delicious side. This is a great option for breakfast or dinner.

Recipe

1 quart chopped strawberries

1 banana sliced

2 green apples chopped

1 pint blueberries

1 cup Nosa yogurt in either of the following flavors, lemon, honey or strawberry rhubarb.

Gently combine all ingredients together and serve.

Waldorf Salad

Paleo Wardolf Salad

 

This is my version of a Waldorf salad. Simple and one of those filling feel good meals.

Recipe

8-10 cups mixed salad greens of your choice

1 whole rotisserie chicken, chopped

1 package turkey bacon cooked and chopped

1/2 thinly sliced purple onion

1 cucumber chopped

2 green apples chopped or sliced

1/2 cup dried cranberries or cherries

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Toss  ingredients together and use your favorite dressing.

I like to blend 1 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, 3 tablespoons honey, sea salt and pepper. Delicious!

 

Mango Mint Chicken Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

Mango Mint Chicken Salad

This flavorful salad is a healthy and delicious spring/summer meal for the family or a gathering!

Recipe

Marinate 4 chicken breasts for at least 2 up to 24 hrs in:
1/2 cup good olive oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste

Grill chicken when ready

For the dressing blend together:
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 mango, peeled and pitted
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/4 cup fresh mint
1 teaspoons curry powder
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or juice of 1 lemon
2-4 tablespoons honey
Salt and pepper to taste

For the salad
2 ripe avocados, sliced
1 peeled and sliced mango
1/4 thinly sliced red onion
As much spring mix as you want to use
Chopped basil as a garnish

Balsamic Honey Dressing

Balsamic Honey DressingI could drink this stuff it’s so good!  I love that it can be used for lots of dishes, including fish, chicken, pasta and many other salads.

Recipe

2 cups extra virgin olive oil or infused garlic herb olive oil (saute 5-10 cloves garlic, 4 tablespoons chopped sage and 4 tablespoons rosemary on low heat, simmering for 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn it. Strain and pour into blender).

4 – 6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup raw honey

Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Puree all ingredients together in a high quality blender or food processor to emulsify, for about 3-5 minutes.  If the honey is thick, heat in a small sauce pan on low.  This will help it emulsify easier.  This recipe can easily be doubled.  Keep in a glass container on the counter or fridge for up to 2 weeks.  The the salad I like to put it on is very simple, mixed baby greens, cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, purple onion and cucumbers.

Navajo Tacos with Homemade Scones

Navajo Tacos

These are a family favorite!  I love meals that are simple, filling and healthy!  You can go vegetarian or use meat.  Be sure to use my recipe for Honey Whole Wheat Scones for these.  The sweetness of the scone and savory flavors of the toppings make this a real treat!

Recipe

One recipe of Honey Whole Wheat Scones or your own recipe.  Pinch dough off into balls and roll out into disc shapes.

Your favorite browned turkey or beef taco meat recipe ( I like to make it simple by adding a chopped onion to the meat, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 tablespoon chili powder and 2 teaspoons dried oregano, salt ans pepper).

1 can drained black, pinto or refried beans

Lettuce

Sharp cheddar cheese

Sour Cream

Salsa or chopped tomatoes

Guacamole or sliced avocado

Top your scone with whatever you want and enjoy!

 

 

Homemade Ranch Dressing

homemade ranch dressingYou’ll never want to go back to store bought after this!  In fact you may just want to find ways to use it for everything, it’s that good!

Recipe

3/4 cup good mayo

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon freshly minced cilantro

1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic

3/4 teaspoon minced fresh oregano or 1/4 teaspoon dried

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Whisk all ingredients together and store in airtight container.  Keep in fridge for 1 week.

Vegan Tai Salad

Vegan Tai SaladThis dish is gluten free and very healthy!  Delicious too!

Recipe

1 package brown rice noodles, cooked according to directions on package

1 head Napa cabbage, chopped

2 cups bean sprouts

2 cups sugar snap peas

2 bunches green onions

2 cups shredded carrots

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 bunch mint, chopped

1 bunch basil, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, chopped

sesame seeds (optional)

Sauce

2 cloves garlic, chipped finely

2-inch ginger root grated

1 teaspoon chili sauce

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup honey

Place all veggies, herbs and noodles in a large bowl.  Mix together all the ingredients for the sauce.  Mix together just before serving.