GREEN BEAN SALAD - VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN FRIENDLY

I like eating salad but I get board of it after awhile. I find that sometimes I don't feel as full as I would like or I need more of a crunch! Green beans are a very good source of minerals and a great lettuce replacement. This salad is quiet easy to make and can easily be taken to work for a healthy lunch option. ENJOY!

Yields One Portion

INGREDIENTS:

1-2 Handfuls of Green Beans - Ends taken off
1 to 2 Tomatos - Chopped
Half a small Red Onions - Chopped
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Steam the green beans for 5 minutes, drain and add to cold ice water bath to stop them from cooking.

While the green beans are steaming add the tomatoes and red onions to a flat-ish bowl so that they can sit and slightly soak in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Next addsome salt and pepper stir it in and let it continue to sit and marinate.

Drain green beans and add into bowl with tomatoes and onions. Mix and serve.

 

I hope you enjoyed this recipe as much as I do. If you have any comments please leave them below and I'll be happy to answer them as soon as I can! Happy cooking!!!

 

QUINOA TABBOULEH - GLUTEN FREE, VEGAN, VEGITARIAN, SOY FREE

TABBOULEH traditionally is made with bulgur wheat or couscous. I made this recipe using quinoa as a substitute for its health and gluten free attributes and lets get real it taste pretty much the same. I really enjoy Tabbouleh salad as it goes with just about everything. Its also really good to keep in the fridge as a healthy snack and the Quinoa is a slow digesting carb/protien mix that makes you feel fuller longer - BOOM! 

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup of Quinoa
2 Bushes of Parsley (cut off stems and mince)
1 Bush or 3/4 Cup of Mint (cut of stems and mince)
3 Medium Tomatoes
1/2 a Large Onion
3 Cloves of Garlic
Lemon Juice
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Measure out 1 cup of Quinoa and add it to two cups of water. Bring the water and quinoa to a boil then cover the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer for an additional 15 minutes.

In the meantime go ahead and wash, dry and mince your Parsley and Mint. Add it to a large bowl.

Next chop the Tomatos in quarters and remove the seeds. Once the seeds are removed chop the tomato quarters down into small "pinkie nail" sizes. Add the chopped tomato to the bowl with the parsley and mint. 

Now you can chop the Onion into about the same size as you did the tomato and add it to the bowl.

Next you can mince the Garlic and add it to the bowl with the parsley, mint, tomatoes and onions.

Your quinoa should be done by now. If it is remove from heat and let cool. You don't want to add it to the bowl until it has completely cooled down.

While it is cooling you can juice the Lemons. I think I juiced about 5-6 lemons to yield about 1.5 Cups of juice.

Once the Quinoa has cooled down add it into the bowl with the other ingredients followed by the lemon juice. You can also add 2 TBSP of Olive oil and mix all the contents of the bowl together. You can add salt and pepper at the end for taste as well as more lemon juice if you fancy it.

Can you dig it???? Whats your take on Tabbouleh? Has anyone ever toasted their Quinoa before cooking it? Not sure how I feel about the taste. Share your thoughts by commenting.
 

This post was inspired by Tori Avey of http://toriavey.com/ She is one of the food blogs I always like to follow and be inspired by.

MANGO AVOCADO SALAD - VEGAN, GLUTEN FREE & SOY FREE

A salad with no lettuce??? Hells yeah! Wait till you try this! I always make it for dinners or bbq's with friends and it is always a hit. You can even add chips and say its a salsa - whatever your style.

INGREDIENTS:
2 Avocado - Peeled, pitted and cubed
2 Mango - Peeled, pitted and cubed
1 small Red Onion - diced small (add with discretion)
1 Cup Cilantro - roughly chopped
1 Cup Pomegranate Seeds
2 Limes- Juiced
Salt and Pepper- to taste
Add some pine nuts and/or some hemp hearts for some extra protein!
**If you like it a little spicy you can add a habanero pepper (remove the seeds and dice)

DIRECTIONS:
Add all ingredients to a bowl, mix and serve! EASY!!!

Serves 6 as a side