Trying to maintain a healthy diet isn’t always easy. The reason why? Simple: many healthy foods taste terrible. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many ways to make a dish both flavorful and healthy, simply by using a dash of creativity, such as swapping ranch dressing for a vibrant vinaigrette, like the one in this recipe.
For a tasty, unique salad, try using at least 6 ingredients. Salads should also always be colorful; this will make the dish a treat for both your eyes and mouth, and help incorporate a variety of vitamins into your diet.
Whether you are dieting or not, this salad — made from ingredients you may already have in your fridge — can be a staple of your weekly eating schedule.
MEDITERRANEAN SALAD WITH AVOCADO
From start to finish: 10 minutes
Servings: 2
1 bag spring mix
1 large tomato, cut into wedges, then in half widthwise
14 kalamata olives
4 ounces heart of palm cut lengthwise
1 hass avocado sliced into bite sized pieces
4 oz. lean protein — such as grilled chicken, mahi-mahi or albacore tuna (optional)
crumpled feta cheese, to taste
Place the spring mix in a large bowl. Gradually mix in the rest of the ingredients, except for the feta cheese.
Refrigerate as you can prepare the citrus herb vinaigrette that will provide the perfect zing to your salad.
CITRUS HERB VINAIGRETTE
Start to finish: 40 minutes
Servings: 2
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
4 teaspoons minced garlic
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons lime juice
2 teaspoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Mix all the liquid ingredients together in a large bowl. Then, gradually mix in the minced garlic, minced parsley, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
After the vinaigrette dressing has chilled for at least one hour, drizzle it over the prepared salad. Garnish with the crumpled feta cheese, and enjoy.
Finally, serve the salad on a plate and garnish with the crumpled feta cheese.
(Recipe adapted from www.grouprecipies.com)
