altered salad recipes

Morning,

I want to be sure to let all of you know that the salads that follow are not original to me. They are mixed around and switched from a bunch of recipes. If you want to get the originals, feel free to ask. I don't use measuring spoons or cups, I go by the look of it. Does it look like it needs more, then add some more. Eating is done with the eyes, the nose and the mouth. Also, most ingredients can be found at Aldi's, some at Trader Joes and some at main grocery stores.  Otherwise, here are my versions:

Strawberry Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
1pint strawberries (cut up to your prefered size) Aldi's
1 pint blueberries (can skip) Aldi's
1 can chicken (shredded with fork)  Aldi's
sunflower seeds for crunch (maybe 1/3 cup)  Aldi's
some basil ( I just shoke it in for some color, but the added flavor is awesome)  Aldi's
spinach for the base (I like my spinach cut up real small to match the size of the fruit)  Aldi's

Dressing:
2-3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
OR
any low-fat, low-sugar balsamic vinagrette  (I use Maple Groves Farms Gluten Free Sugar Free Fat Free Balsamic Vinagrette)  Schnucks


Directions:
Dump all of it in a bowl and mix. This was really good on day two also. This could also be frozen if desired)

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Mexican Salad
Ingredients
1 can black beans rinsed Aldi's
1 can garbanzo beans rinsed   Aldi's  or Trader Joe's
2 green onions (use the white part as well)   main grocery stores
1 lime Aldi's
salsa to taste  or rotel   Aldi'sblack olives chopped  Aldi's
greek yogurt   Trader Joe's or sour cream Aldi's
tortilla chips  Aldi's

Directions:
Mix all ingredients in bowl and serve. Can be used as a dip or as a salad.  If you want it as a dip, try blending the garbanzo and black beans together with some salsa and greek yogurt. You can blend it as much or as little as you want.  Use the yogurt sparingly at first to see the consistency.

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Quinoa (keen-wah)

This can be cooked in many liquids. Each liquid will change the flavor slightly, and is fun to play with. You can also use plain old water and add seasoning that match with what you are going to use it with. OR, just water so it can go in multiple dishes.

Many people rinse their quinoa, and that is recommended, but I don't have a strainer small enough for the little tiny balls, so I just don't. And nobody has died yet!! haha

1 cup quinoa  
2 cups water

Bring to a boil, then simmer til water is gone. You can make your quinoa as soft or not so soft (not my favorite) as you want, the same as rice.

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Tabbouleh (ta-boo-lee)
*this is normally made with bulgar**

Here is what I made on Wednesday:

Ingredients:
2 cups quinoa Trader Joe's
1 cucumber Aldi's
1 avocado Aldi's
light italian dressing to taste Aldi's
salt
lemon Aldi's

Directions:
half avocado, slice in the skin, spoon out the slices into the quinoa
peel cucumber and chop or slice
chop green onions
mix dressing in
then add lemon to taste


more traditional
Ingredients:
2 cups quinoa cooked Trader Joe's or main grocery stores in grain aisle
tomatoes (cut small or grape tomatoes cut in half)  Aldi's
2 green onions (use the white part as well)   main grocery stores
olive oil to taste  Aldi's
lemon to taste  Aldi's
salt and pepper to taste 

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Warm Greek Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:
2 cups quinoa  cooked
1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled  Aldi's
10-15 Kalamata olives  Trader Joe's
2 green onions chopped  Aldi's

Dressing:
2-3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
OR
any low-fat, low-sugar balsamic vinagrette  (I use Maple Groves Farms Gluten Free Sugar Free Fat Free Balsamic Vinagrette)  Schnucks

Lemon is a key for this. You really need the acid to bring together all the flavors.

Directions:
feta can be bought crumbled or blocks. no worries, just crumble up the block yourself. Sam's has excellent feta at a great price if you will use this alot. Otherwise Aldi's and Trader Joe's has the best price for the small amount. and it tastes great.

kalamata's can be purchased anywhere. I bought just the amount I needed at the salad bar, but also use Trader Joe's and they last a long time.

Mix all of this and stir.


********Please note: I am a person who tosses in what looks good, so forgive me if I left anything off that we covered on Wednesday. Does it look like it will work? Try it!!!*************