Foodie Friday

TGIF!!!

I’m looking forward to another wonderful weekend in sunny San Francisco – Phil and I have dinner plans tonight, brunch tomorrow & Sunday we’re taking a trip to Treasure Island for a little bocce…can’t wait! But enough about this weekend, today’s Foodie Friday is a switch to something savory – a sensational salad that is sure to please any palate!Now, I know what you’re thinking…salad, seriously?!?!? BUT I swear it’s awesome and the kind of salad that you eat all on its own!

Roasted Vegetable & Warm Goat Cheese Salad

• 2 portobello mushroom caps
• 1 bunch asparagus
• 1 red ball pepper
• 1/2 sweet onion
• 1 bag mixed greens
• 1 brick goat cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 c almond milk (or any milk)
• 1 cup panic bread crumbs
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• approx. 3 cups oil for frying
• favorite balsamic dressing (balsamic, evoo, honey, salt, pepper, garlic powder, rosemary, salt & pepper)

Preheat the oven to 375 and prep veggies: trim asparagus, clean mushrooms, and remove stem from pepper. Season veggies with EVOO, salt & pepper, and roast @ 375 for 5 to 7 min. Pull asparagus & mushrooms from the oven & turn temp to 400 & roast the pepper for another 5 min. While the veggies roast, peel & thinly slice onions, place medium pot on stove with oil for frying, and put goat cheese in the freezer. Heat the oil to medium/high, prep egg/milk mix & flour dredge for the onions – dip a handful of onions in the egg, then flour dredge & place in the oil for 3-5 minutes until onions crisp. Once you’re finished, make the goat cheese balls: slice into generously thick rounds put panko in dish, dip cheese in egg,then flour, then egg, and then panko to completely crust the cheese. Once those are all set, pop back in the freezer for a few min. & prep the salad: chop the veggies, mix with greens and dressing, and top with crispy onions. Now that the salad is ready, fry the cheese for 2 min. on each side…tap on a paper towel before putting atop the salad – VOILA!

I know it seems like a lot of prep but it really doesn’t take more than 25-30 minutes and its amazing! I like to make a lot of the goat cheese balls at once and keep them in the freezer which cuts down on prep BUT trust me, it’s totally worth it – the flavor combinations are amazing and the differences in texture and temperature are tantalizing to the palate.

Enjoy!

’til next time, keep smiling 🙂

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Unbeetable Salad and Seafood

If you haven’t caught on already, I am all about fresh, local and simply delicious, nutrient dense foods! This awesome salad and seafood combo is no exception, and just like most meals livingleen, its easy to prepare!

The beet, walnut and goat cheese salad paired with seared Halibut hit the spot and kept me completely satisfied! All I did was boil some beets from about 40 minutes and let cool…you can do this ahead of time. The rest of the ingredients in the salad are all eaten as they come: chop up some walnuts, crumble some goat cheese and throw the terrific trio over some mixed greens! Lightly toss with some balsamic, salt and pepper and BOOM! BEET BLISS!

The fish is super simple too: Marinate briefly in white wine or champagne (because we happened to have it on hand), salt, pepper and garlic. Place in med/high heated sauce pan with a little EVOO and let sizzle! Turn the heat down to medium and flip…fish should only take a few minutes to flake and then you’re finished your fancy feast!

The health benefits from the protein filled fish, nutrient dense beets, leafy greens, calcium rich/low calorie goat cheese and omega-3 walnut wonders makes for an amazingly delectable, unbeetably nutritious dinner!

Hit up your local farmers market and fish monger to make your meal memorable!

Enjoy!

Tunatastic!

Okay…you caught me! I am totally on a cado kick….but they’re just so yummy!

Ditch the mayo for this silky super food and transform your tuna from tasty to tastetastic! Mix half an avocado, a can of chunk light, lime, Tabasco, salt and pepper and you’re good to go!

Delicious in a refreshing lettuce cup, or on your favorite sandwich bread this spicy tuna salad is healthy, filling and delectable!

Spice up your tuna…Enjoy!

Fabulous Feta!

I have been on a salad kick as of late…is it obvious?!?!

While this isn’t exactly inventive, its insanely delicious and healthy. As I have mentioned in previous posts, sometimes keeping it simple is simply best!

Cranberries, almonds and feta cheese play off each other well – both on your palate and in your body. Pairing these powerhouses ensures you’ve covered most of what your body needs to function at its best!

Feta cheese is high in protein and calcium but low in fat and calories. Boosting your body’s natural defenses with its probiotics and vitamins A/B, feta is one of those cheeses its okay to indulge in!

Almonds are high in protein too but are also full of fiber, folic acid, vitamin E and B2. These nuts are great for your skin, cell repair and your metabolic health!

Rounding out the trio is dried cranberries which I promise are not just there for a sweetly tart bite. Bursting with antioxidants that support your immune, digestive, cardiovascular and skeletal systems, these berries certainly hold their nutritional own.

Take a little less than a quarter cup of dried cranberries, fat free feta cheese and almonds to start. Add these three flavorful toppings to herbed mixed greens (parsley, dill and cilantro – yes, please!) and toss with a little salt/pepper and lemon. In this yummy, less than 350 calorie, salad you’ve got everything you need to stay motivated and fuel your day!

Enjoy!

Not your mama’s radish

If you have no idea what you’re looking at, meet the watermelon radish! By far my favorite radish, for many reasons, not the least of which is the totally gorgeous fuchsia flesh and green rim!

Resembling one of America’s favorite summer fruits, the watermelon, this fun veggie is a beautiful, healthy addition to any salad.

Raw, roasted or pickled, pairing this vitamin C rich root with your favorite salads will add an appealing twist!

Watermelon radishes are more mild and slightly sweet as compared to your standard radish. In addition to being a great source of Vitamin C, radishes stimulate liver function and promote healthy digestion.

You can buy watermelon radish seeds to add to your garden or snag some at your local farmers market/grocery store.

Even if you’re not impressed by the health benefits, there is no denying how pretty these little discs will look in your next garden salad!

Enjoy!

Lemon Tuna Salad

Instead of slapping tuna salad between two slices of bread and loading it with mayo, try this low fat, low carb, lemony alternative.

Tuna is a fantastic source of protein and omega 3s, as well as tons of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. This protein packed pez (fish) provides metabolic energy and slows the absorption of carbs into your blood stream to help sustain your energy through the day. Additionally, its high in selenium, vitamin D, phosphorus and calcium so its great for your bones, teeth and overall health.

Both the tuna and the greens are dressed with fresh lemon juice, so if the health benefits from the tuna weren’t enough for you to give it a try, maybe the lemons will put you over the edge. With the power to help fight infection, lower blood pressure, improve skin and detoxify your digestive system, this calorie free little tart is a must have in your diet!

Try adding salt, pepper, lemon juice and a tiny bit of low fat mayo to a can of solid white albacore tuna. Toss mixed greens and herbs (I like using dill, cilantro and parsley) with salt pepper and lemon and top with your tuna salad.

This lemony lunch is under 300 calories, amazing for you, and packs a flavorful punch!

Bistro Beets

Who says you have to go out to have a restaurant worthy lunch!?!?! Try making this beet, walnut and goat cheese salad teeming with nutrients! It is delectable, will keep you full and focused all afternoon and can even help boost your mood! Not convinced? This 350 calories salad legitimately has superpowers and I can prove it!

Beets are an unbeatable (haha, yep went for the pun!) source of iron, folic acid, vitamins A, B & C, fiber, potassium, beta carotene and much more! This purple power food helps lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of colon cancer, generate cell growth/recovery, and has higher levels of carbohydrates and sugar that break down slowly do give you continued energy throughout the day. If that wasn’t enough, they also contain betaine, which is used to help treat depression, and trytophan, which increases your sense of well being (its the same feeling you get when you eat chocolate).

Walnuts rich in omega 3, vitamin E and protein which have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits. Walnuts also help promote heart health and reduce your risk of prostate and breast cancer.

Goat cheese is low fat, low calorie and calcium/protein/probiotic packed. While the calcium you get from this salty, soft cheese helps with bone density, it also assists in your body’s fat burning functions post meal.

If all that doesn’t convince you to give this simply salad a try, how about the fact its plain yummy!?!

1 cup boiled beets, >1/4 cup raw walnuts, 1oz goat cheese, mixed greens w/parsley, salt/pepper and a splash of aged balsamic – BOOM! – unbeatable, bistro beet deliciousness!