Tuesday, February 17, 2009
I Love Salad Season!
Spring is coming soon! In the winter I do enjoy yummy salads, but I tend to fill up on vegan soups, stews, cooked greens and veggies a lot. This is the time of year that I get really excited about trying new salads and looking for healthy alternatives to unhealthy salad recipes that are out there. I have a salad favorite that I have ordered at one of our most loved restaurants many times and have tried over time to duplicate it. I think I have come very close and I am so excited about it! The salad is delicious. It may not be my healthiest recipe...but it can be varied to cut out some of the fat if needed.Seasonal Salad with Greens, Fresh Fruit, and Maple Pecans
About 5 oz of organic spring greens...the more greens the better!
About 5 organic strawberries sliced
A handful of organic blueberries
Low fat bleu cheese crumbles...I actually found a low fat version this weekend! I use just a tad.
A handful of maple pecans (see below)
Champagne vinaigrette (see below)
Maple Pecans:
To make the pecans you just toast some halved pecans in a non stick skillet on med high heat...just continue to toss them so they don't burn. Do this until they start turning a little darker...then turn heat off and add about a Tbsp of maple syrup...toss to coat. Sprinkle lightly with fresh ground pepper. Then spread on parchment paper to cool. So yummy! My family loves to munch on these for snacks, too!
Champagne Vinaigrette:
I have worked on this quite a bit to get it just right...I think this is pretty close to the original dressing.
2 Tbsp of Champagne Vinegar
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 Tbsp maple syrup
3-4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste...it only needs a little salt.
Whisk all ingredients except olive oil. Then add a little of the olive oil at a time while whisking to mix properly. Chill until serving. This is enough dressing for 3-4 large salads.
I am a stay at home mother to 4. I am very blessed to have a godly husband who loves the Lord and his family. I welcome the days of much needed grace,the times of sweet victories,and the tears of trials,knowing it is all for God's glory. I want my lifesong to sing to Him,the author and finisher of my faith. Soli Deo Gloria--To the Glory of God alone.
8 Comments:
That sounds very yummy.
You may have said this, but what brought you to becoming a vegan and does any one else do this in your family. Do you miss meat at all?
Do you know about Bread Beckers?
Go to www.breadbeckers.com
I think you would like it. We LOVE making our own bread.
This sounds like the salad that I order at Charleston's in the city. I love that salad. Can't wait to try the dressing.
Thank you. :)
I am trying to be a big girl and try new things. I do love salads like this but I am never brave enough to make them.
Now that you've posted the recipe, I'm gonna give it a shot ;)
I keep forgetting to send you a note of thanks for the info! It was wonderful! I do plan on chatting more. Life is so crazy right now!
Paula,
To answer your questions:
I became a 98% vegan after reading books on women's health and health in general(preventing disease, not needing meds as we grow older, etc) and hormonal balance. I read the China Study, Eat To Live, and Healthy Eating For Life For Women. I have recently read Eat for Health by Dr. Furhman also. Great info!
Anyway, after reading such medically documented books, based on real studies, I was convinced that the standard american diet was all wrong and we all have choices each time we grocery shop...we can choose healthy good for the body foods, or things that over time causes heart disease, bone loss, and even cancer.
I say I am 98% vegan because in the last month(about 90 meals, I have had fish once and bleu or feta cheese maybe 2-3 times. Everything else I eat is fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts/seeds. Dr. Furhman calls it a nutritarian(But, I don't really like all the lables!)...trying to eat nutrient dense foods. I just try to eat healthy. He says you can even eat some animal producst and still be a nutritarian...as long as you limit it and eat lots of green veggies and fruit. I also avoid white flour and sugar and all animal products such as dairy, eggs, and meats. I do occasionally have shrimp, fish, or scallops...my favorite seafoods!
No one else does this in my family, but I do make vegan meals for them some, too. I try to prepare healthy meals for them as much as I can.
The funny thing is I do not miss meat...it was an easy transition for me because meat was never my favorite thing on my plate...I always enjoyed fresh veggies and salads the most anyway. Sometimes when I am making some old favorites, I might crave it a tad...but I just think about all I have read and am instantly not interested. I really enjoy cooking this way and have found some delicious recipes that are BETTER than the standard foods I was eating...so it actually taste better to me now. I like very simple things and enjoy the real taste of foods...so it has been pretty easy for me.
Thanks for asking and I hope this answers your questions.
salads are my favorite food! The one thing that I would find difficult to give up would be milk, even though I have skim most of the time.I love lattes! I have one every day. I don't drink milk alone, it is unappealing to me that way. I also like yogurt with some cereal and fruit sometimes. Are these two things considered unhealthy?
I always enjoy it when you share your recipes. I love trying new ones. This salad sounds great.
Blessings,
Lori
Yum! Sounds good! Josh was just asking me the other day to make some spiced pecans/walnuts for snacking. I think I'll try out your recipe.
Oh my WORD that looks good! A crazy good recipe for braised short ribs goes up on my blog tomorrow.
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