Posted by Carole-Anne on April 5, 2008
Healthy Recipes came across this recipe recently and thought it was a great change from a regular meal, and the fact we use fresh green beans is such a healthy plus.
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 lbs fresh green beans, ends nipped
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, separated
4 ripe tomatoes diced
1/2 cup sliced black olives, not drained
3/4 lb angel hair
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup pesto sauce
Freshly ground pepper
Sea salt for boiling pasta hair
NOW FOLLOW ME:
Using a large saucepan of sea salted water, bring to a boil.
Add fresh green beans only for 1 to 2 minutes to colour them. Remove with slotted spoon.
Add angel hair pasta to boiling water and cook according to package (usually al dente (firm). Drain well, but save 1/2 cup of cooking water.
Heat 2 tbsp oil in large skillet and add beans, tomatoes, olives. Stir fry for one minute. Add balsamic vinegar with the freshly ground pepper. Remove pan from heat and mix ingredients well.
Add pesto sauce to hot, drained pasta in saucepan and add 2 tbsp remaining extra virgin olive oil and the reserved water from the angel hair pasta.
Add contents of skillet to sauce pan and toss all the foodies together – serve immediately! Wow - this is a dish to remember!
Healthy Recipes recommends this incredible dish, which, incidentally took only 20 minutes to prepare.
Recipe serves 4 to 5.
Posted by Carole-Anne on April 3, 2008
I just love the healthy recipes using orzo to make salads. It is one of those salads that adapts to any vegetable, or most meats and cheese, for that matter.
I am going to use Sun-dried tomato orzo today for our Confetti Orzo Salad.
1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups Sun-dried Tomato Orzo
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp grated lemon zest (peel)
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
1 garlic clove minced
1 medium carrot, diced into 1/8″ pieces
1 1/4 cup finely diced red, green and yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup peeled, English cucumber, diced finely
1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1/4 cup finely chopped Italian flat parsley
NOW FOLLOW ME:
Cook orzo in skillet with enough water to boil until tender (10 minutes should do the trick)
Drain using a wire mesh strainer; rinse under cool water.
Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, sea salt, freshly ground pepper and minced garlic until blended nicely.
Toss diced and chopped vegetables, orzo and dressing together.
Serve warm or at room temperature. Voila! Yummy salad is prepared.
Healthy Recipe serves 4.
Posted by Carole-Anne on April 1, 2008
Healthy Recipes says this recipe is just the “best” for company with kids or adults and is so easy when you purchase the tortilla salad shells; they really dress up the recipe. Try to purchase low salt salad shells.
INGREDIENTS:
8 tortilla salad shells (low salt – whole wheat)
3/4 cup low cal Ranch dressing (unless you have another favorite)
1 lb (large) chicken breast chopped into small pieces
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp minced garlic
1/4 tsp ground red pepper (cayenne)
1 can drained and rinsed red kidney beans
1 head Romaine lettuce torn into bite size pieces
1 cup light shredded Cheddar cheese
2/3 cup sliced black olives
2 medium hot house tomatoes coarsely chopped
1 medium Spanish onion chopped
Light sour cream
NOW FOLLOW ME:
Set aside Tortilla salad shells, and dressing.
Cook chicken breast (large one) over medium heat in skillet, in 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, stirring occasionally until brown and drain.
Stir in water, curry powder, sea salt, minced garlic, red pepper and beans.
Heat mixture to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes.
Mix lettuce pieces, grated Cheddar light cheese, diced tomatoes and chopped onions in a large bowl and toss with your favorite low cal dressing (mine is Ranch) or make your own.
Add cooled chicken breast, chopped, and toss lightly.
Add evenly to eight salad taco shells and garnish with light sour cream. Place in refrigerator until ready to serve.
Healthy Recipes is proud to serve this nutritious meal and feels the total calories contained per taco salad to be 320 each. Yummy! Enjoy your meal.
Healthy Recipe serves 8 people.
Posted by Carole-Anne on March 31, 2008
One of Healthy Recipes favorite salads is with orso risotto and green peas, mint and feta cheese with tomatoes. It is so refreshing , and well as extremely healthy.
INGREDIENTS
2 cups uncooked orzo rice with dried tomatoes
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup small tomatoes quartered
1 cup English cucumber, peeled and diced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper
1/2 cup green onions
1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
1/4 chopped black olives
2-2 tbsp minced fresh mint leaves
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
Dressing:
1/3 cup Italian dressing fat free
1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tsp honey
1 tsp Dijon mustard
NOW FOLLOW ME:
Cook orzo risotto in a skillet with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil and once sauteed for 5 minutes, slowly add chicken stock and let simmer until orzo has thickened (about 10 – 15 minutes).
Drain orzo, let chill. Add all the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat salad. Cover with plastic and you can refrigerate overnight for that “extra” flavor.
Healthy Recipe makes 6 servings. Yummy!