White Bean, Asparagus & Tomato Salad

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Ingredients 

1/2 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed

1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in halves
1 (14-ounce) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon drained capers, mashed

1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1/2 tablespoon honey (OR brown sugar)
1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
10 leaves fresh sage, finely chopped (OR 1/4 teaspoon dried)
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons shredded Pecorino Romano cheese
1 (5-ounce) bag mixed salad greens

***Use mini-food processor for making the dressing

Preparation
1. Snap off tough ends of asparagus; arrange asparagus in a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam 2 minutes or until asparagus is crisp-tender. Plunge asparagus into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain. Cut asparagus into 1/2-inch pieces, and chill. Put into a large bowl.

2. Cut cherry tomatoes in half. Drain and rinse canned beans. Chop onion. Drain and smash capers with side of the knife. Put everything together in large bowl with asparagus.

3. Whisk together garlic, chopped fresh sage, olive oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, salt & pepper in a small bowl or pulse several times in a mini-food processor. Pour over asparagus, tomatoes, beans, onion, and capers, tossing to coat.
Adjust seasoning if necessary.

4.Cover and chill 1 hour. Serve the salad over salad greens; sprinkle with Romano cheese.   
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Nutritional info per 1 cup: makes 4 servings
    * Calories: 193
    * Fat: 9.5g    Carbs: 20g (fiber: 5g)    Protein: 7.5g

Tabbouleh

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Ingredients 
1 cup water
1/2 cup bulgur, dry
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley (1 bunch)
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered (OR 2 medium tomatoes, diced)
1/4 English cucumber, diced
1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced (1 bunch)
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
Salt and Freshly ground pepper, to taste

***Use mini-food processor for chopping parsley, mint and making the dressing

Preparation
1. Combine water, salt and bulgur in a small saucepan. Bring to a full boil, remove from heat, cover and let stand until the water is absorbed and the bulgur is tender, 25 minutes or according to package directions. If any water remains, drain bulgur in a fine-mesh sieve. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool for 15 minutes.
2. Combine lemon juice, oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
Add parsley, mint, tomatoes, cucumber and green onions to the bulgur.
Add the dressing and toss.
Serve at room temperature or chill for at least 1 hour to serve cold.   

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Nutritional info per 1 cup: makes 4 servings
    * Calories: 160
    * Fat: 7.5g    Carbs: 21g (fiber: 3g)    Protein: 3g

Carrot Apple Salad with Raisins, Nuts & Honey

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Ingredients

Carrots, raw, 1/2lbs., grated
Apples, fresh, 1/2 large, grated
Nuts (any kind), raw, 1.5oz, chopped
Raisins, 1 small box (1.5 oz)
Lemon Juice, fresh, 1/4 cup
Honey, 1.5 tbsp
Cinnamon, ground, 1/2 tsp

 
***Optional: dry rolled oats to sprinkle on top

Preparation

Grate carrots and apples. Chop nuts. Put all in a large bowl. Add raisins. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Drizzle with lemon juice and honey. Mix the salad well but gently. Serve cool, sprinkled with oats on top, if desired.   

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Nutritional info per 1 cup (no oats added): makes 4 servings

    * Calories: 170

    * Fat: 7g    Carbs: 27g (fiber: 4g)    Protein: 3g

Pico De Gallo

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Ingredients
  1 large tomato (1.25 cups diced)
  1/4 medium onion (1/4 cup finely chopped)
  1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (or cilantro)
  1 jalapeño pepper, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
  1/2 lime (or lemon), zested and juiced
  1/2 teaspoon sugar
  1/4 teaspoon salt
* Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Preparation
1. Chop tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper and parsley. Add everything into a bowl.
2. Zest half of lime and squeeze its juice over the vegetables.
3. Season with salt, sugar and black pepper. Mix well.
4. Chill for an hour. Serve with grilled fish or seafood.
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Nutritional info: 2 servings (1 cup)
    * Calories: 39
    * Fat: 0.5g Carbs: 9g (fiber: 2g) Protein: 1g

Egg Salad

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Ingredients
6 Eggs, large, hard boiled (2 whole ones and 4 egg whites)
Dijon Mustard, 1 tbsp.
Greek yogurt, plain, 0% fat, 1 tbsp.
Mayonnaise with Olive Oil, 1 tbsp.
Green Onions, Fresh, 1/4 cup chopped
Black Pepper, fresh ground, to taste
   *Paprika, a dash, for decoration


Preparation
1. Boil the eggs. Cool them and separate yokes and egg whites out of four eggs. Discard the yokes.
2. Cut 2 whole eggs and 4 egg whites into pieces.
3. Chop fresh green onion.
4. In a bowl, mix together mustard, mayo and yogurt. Add the cut eggs and onions, black pepper to the dressing. Mix carefully.
5. Chill the salad for an hour. Serve cool on top of finely cut fresh spinach.
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Nutritional info: 2 servings (1 cup)
    * Calories: 171
    * Fat: 7g Carbs: 4g (fiber: 0g) Protein: 18g