Broccoli and Cauliflower Salad

In my recent attempt to find healthy salads I came across this recipe in the Spice and Spirit cookbook. The only change I made was to substitute the sugar with splenda. Since the vegetables are so crisp it was still good a few days later as leftovers. Note that the cookbook indicated that this serves 8-10 people. We had it at a meal with 12 people and other side dishes/salads and there was a lot left over(and no, not because it wasn't good).

1 large broccoli, cut into florets
1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 zucchini, diced
4 green onions, chopped

Dressing:
1/4 C. oil
1/3 C. Vinegar
1 tsp. Salt
1 Tbls. Splenda
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
1/3 tsp. pepper

Toss together all salad ingredients. In a seperate bowl combine or whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Serve chilled.

Chickpea Salad with Tehina and Garlic Dressing

Sorry it's been a while since I have posted. I am working full time now and have very little time for anything else-including cooking.
Lately I have been searching for healthy salad recipes. I know it sounds dumb-isn't all salad healthy? Well when you dump gobs of mayonnaise, oils and sugar into the dressing and then onto the salad then no, it isn't. In attempt to bring some variety into my Rosh Hashanah menus I found some new salad recipes and I will be sharing several with you in the next few weeks.
This first one I found on this blog that I came across recently. I didn't get a chance to photograph my salad but it pretty much looked the same. I did use my progressive dicer to make this salad (thanks for the recommendation Talia) which made it simple to throw together.
The only change I made to the recipe was changing measurements to quantities as I prefer recipes that way so I assume you do too.

2 cans chick peas, drained
2 cucumbers, diced
2 stalks celery, diced
6 scallions, diced
12 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 yellow pepper, diced
1 orange pepper, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Dressing:
1/2 cup Tehina
4 Tbls lemon juice
2 Tbls water
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste

Chop all vegetables and toss. Mix dressing and pour over salad before serving.

Caryn's Quinoa Pilaf

You may notice that I make a lot of quinoa. I love how versatile it is and it really is a super food. A few years back I had never had quinoa and I really wanted to try it. For some reason I was a little intimidate by it and the fact that it required rinsing made me even more hessitant. Enter Caryn's Quinoa Pilaf. My friend Caryn gave me this recipe that doesn't require rinsing so it was a good way to ease me into the world of Quinoa. This remains one of my staple recipes. Aside from the fact that it is delicious, I love how colorful it is and that it is so simple to make. Thanks Caryn!

(I didn't have a zucchini this time so the photo is a little less green than usual)


1 Tbls. Olive Oil
1 onion
1 red pepper
1 zuchinni
2 carrots
2 garlic
1 pepper(green, yellow or orange)
1 1/2 C. Quinoa
3 C. Boiling Water
1/2 tsp. Salt-or to taste
1 1/2 tsp. Mrs. Dash-or to taste

Shred all veggies in food processor. Heat oil in an pan and add the veggies and saute. Add quinoa. Then add water, salt and Mrs. Dash. Bring to boil. Stir. Cover and simmer 20-30 minutes on low.

Quinoa with Pesto and Toasted Almonds

I had some pesto leftover in my fridge so I figured I would try it with quinoa. I came across this recipe on Oprah's website and it was perfect.

1 tsp. Olive oil
2 cups quinoa
2 3/4 cups chicken broth
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/4 cup dairy free nut free pesto or whatever pesto you like
1/2 cup sliced almonds , toasted

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Stir in quinoa. Cook until golden, about 7 minutes, stirring occasionally during the first 5 minutes and more frequently during last 2 minutes of cooking. Add chicken broth and salt; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, until quinoa is just tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork; stir in pesto. Transfer quinoa to a serving bowl and serve warm or at room temperature, topped with toasted almonds.

If you don't know how to toast almonds all you do is preheat the oven to 350°. Spread almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake until golden and fragrant about 6 to 8 minutes.

No Cook Cauliflower Salad

I came across this cauliflower salad on a blog I regulalrly read. I didn't have pimento olives so I used sliced manzillo. I only used a half red onion as I thought it was going to be too onion-y. I replaced the sugar with splenda. I also made the dressing seperatly as I made the salad ahead and just tossed the dressing on before serving. It was delicious and I am making it again this week.

Here is the salad undressed.

1 head cauliflower, cut into 1/2″ pieces
1 red bell pepper, diced small
1/2 red onion, diced small
1/2 C. sliced green olives
1 medium can corn, drained
1 can (10 ounces or larger 14.5 ounces) chick peas, rinsed and drained

Dressing:
4 Tbls. Olive oil
3 Tbls. Lemon Juice
2 Tbls. Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper (or more, to taste)
2 tsp. splenda

Combine all salad ingredients. Mix dressing and toss with salad.

Pesto Chicken

I made a really yummy pesto chicken last week. I took pictures and had planned on putting them up later in the week and then I dropped my laptop. Bye bye all unpublished pictures. Oh well. You'll have to use your imagination for this one.

1 recipe of Dairy Free Nut Free Pesto
Chicken for grilling(I used some pounded boneless skinless chicken breasts and some legs and thighs)

Madinade the chicken in the pesto for several hours or overnight. Perheat grill to medium high heat. Grill to your liking. I grilled the boneless skinless breasts for about 3 minutes per side. The chicken with a bone was about 20 minutes per side.
Really good served with rice.

Easy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

As you know we are lovers of hummus. I like to try a new recipe every few weeks. When I came across this one I thought it was perfect as I had a few red peppers in the fridge that needed to be used soon.

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (15 ounce) can Chickpeas, drained
1/3 cup tahini
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup roasted red peppers (If you need instructions take these)
1/4 teaspoon dried basil

In an food processor combine garlic, chickpeas, tahini, and lemon juice. Process until the mixture is smooth. Add roasted peppers and basil; process until the peppers are finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer hummus to small bowl, cover and chill until you are ready to serve.