4 Satisfying Salads

It shouldn't be an oxymoron.
I love salads! I do not love the typical 'garden salad'. Throw in some nuts, dried fruit, fresh fruit, roasted veg, feta, seeds. It may take more time  - it actually may not depending on your combinations (and what's available in your fridge/ fruit basket!
I tend to put my salads on a half/half field greens with spinach.

1. Roasted Beet and Sweet Potato Crunch Salad
Roasted sweet potato
(I made this for another meal and have left overs for yet another, so no I didn't set out to roast just for salad and since I was already roasting…)
Roast a diced beet
A handful of craisins
A handful of toasted walnuts
BAM!





Dressing idea:
1 Lemon (zest and juiced)
1/2 Inch of finely graded ginger
1 Tsp of dijon mustard
1 Cup of balsamic vinegar
1/3 Cup of olive oil
(adding honey wouldn't be discouraged)

2. Dried Fruit and Nut Chicken Salad
(makes 2 portions)
1 Chicken breast (baked)
Craisins
Chopped Apricots
Toasted walnuts (obviously I have walnuts in my fridge!

3. Fresh Fruit and Feta Salad 
(Probably my favourite!)
1 Pear sliced and diced as desirable
1 Gala apple sliced and diced as desirable
1 Tbsp of feta per serving (just a salty touch)
(If you have the know-how or time to do a balsamic reduction dressing DO IT)

4. A Better Greek Salad
Diced red pepper
Diced cucumber
Halved cherry tomatos
Chick peas
Feta
(You could add red onion and olives - I don't tend to)
- Use a balsamic dressing!

Cinnamon Oatmeal with Dried Blueberries

Not so much a recipe, right? But a good idea for easy breakfasts and snacks! Smells divine as well.

1/3 Cup of oats (I use the 60 second ones)
1/8 Tsp of cinnamon
1 Tbsp of dried blueberries

I think it's worth a post!

Three Bean Vegan Chilli

Disclaimer: measure to taste.
The batch I made is enough to feed the Brady Bunch cast and crew, so I'll try to translate to a normal batch…

1 Tbsp olive oil

2 x 796 ml (big) cans of diced tomatoes
1 Big can of crushed tomatoes
1 Medium yellow onion (diced)
1 Large (or 2 small) garlic cloves minced (especially encourage local'ish on this ingredient)
1 Red bell pepper diced
1 Small zuchini diced
1 Cup of frozen corn
1 Cup of diced mushrooms
2 stalks of celery
1 Can of red kidney beans
1 Can of black beans
1 Can of Roman beans (wonderful mistake - thought they were chick peas)
1/4 Tsp of italian spice blend
1 Heaping tbsp of chilli powder
1 Tbsp of cumin
Salt and pep to taste

Beet and Apricot Quinoa Salad

Field greens with spinach
1 Beet diced into bite size chunks and steamed
A handful of dried appricots diced
Quinoa - add how much you want

Dressing: Dijon and Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
1 Tablespoon of of Dijon
1 heaping tsp of liquid honey
1 cup of balsamic vinegar
1/3 cup of olive oil
1 Tbsp of rice vinegar
1 Lemon juiced

Spicy Peanut Ginger Stirfry

No picture! I just wanted to share the recipe because it's one of my faves!
Measurements really depend on how saucy you like it! And you get a feel for what you want more or less of the more you make it! This much sauce should make enough veg for 2-3 servings - with vermicelli - rice noodles).

Sauce:
2 Cups of stalk (Chicken or veg - or one stalk cube and two cups of water)
1/2 Cup of peanut butter (you can be more generous)
1/2 Tsp of red pepper flakes (add to your taste)
1 Tbsp of Soya Sauce (or Tamari if you are GF)
1 Tsp of corn starch
Grade in 1 garlic clove
Grade in 1 inch of fresh ginger

I then just add the veg to the sauce after it's heated and blended in a big fry pan or wok.

Veg suggestions:
Brocoli
Kale
Carrots
Red peppers
Mushrooms
Zucchini

Probably a 30 minute meal!

Meat eaters:
I've marinated steak with garlic, ginger, balsamic and soya sauce then added to veg after cooked and sliced or cubed.

Sorry no picture - it is beautiful!

Roasted Tomato and Black Bean Soup

6 decent size tomato's (roasted)
3 cloves of garlic (roasted)
I can of black beans
1 carrot
1 stalk of celery
1 onion
2ish tsp of chill powder
2ish tsp of cumin
equal parts chicken stock and water (1 box)
salt and pepper

Next time I would add chick peas and some red pepper flakes.

I really enjoyed adding chunks of fresh avocado to my bowl. A dollop of plain yogurt might be good too! 


Happy New Years dieters!

White Chocolate Oatmeal Spice Cookies

No nuts! This batch is for 'my old folks'!
One of my last sweet-treat recipes for the season I'm sure…

3/4 Cups of brown sugar
1/2 Cup of butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
MIX

1 Cup of flour
1 1/2 Cups quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 Tsp of baking soda
1/2 Tsp of cinnamon
1/4 Tsp of ground cloves and nutmeg
salt
1 Cup of white chocolate chips

Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes for small blobs.