Simple Kitchen: Green and healthy

By Errin Stevenson

June 3, 2008 | Salads are a great way to slim down, stay in shape and get ready for all the weddings, reunions and swimsuit time. But, not all salads are actually good for you. Some salads are worse than a hamburger. So, be careful and watch what is actually in your salad. Slow down on the dressing and speed up the fruits and vegetables is my theory. Also, look for the dark colors in fruits and vegetables. They are usually the richest in nutrients.

A great salad I love is a simple spinach salad. Spinach is full in vitamins such as A & C. It also is rich in calcium, iron and potassium. These dark green leaves are a perfect way to perfection.

Simple spinach salad

1 bag of baby leave spinach (washed)
1ž2 qt. strawberries, washed and sliced
1 can mandarin oranges (drained)
1 2.25 bag of slivered almonds, candied
Bag of craisins
Purple grapes, washed and halved

To candy your almonds, add 2 T of butter into a saucepan and melt. Then add your almonds and 1-2 T. of white sugar. Toss and coat. Once the almonds become slightly brown remove quickly from saucepan and lay on plate. Let cool.

In a large salad bowl, add spinach. Then add fruits, almonds and craisins and toss together. You can really add as little or as much of the ingredients as you would like.

For dressing, I do not add a dressing directly on top of the salad. For, I would eat more dressing if I did so. Instead, I place the dressing to the side of the salad in a separate bowl and let each individual add as much dressing as they would like. Light vinaigrette at a store would do. Strawberry vinaigrette is very good on this salad.

To make this salad more as a meal, you can serve it with whole wheat toasted bread and chicken. A simple chicken marinade that is wonderful with this salad is very easy.

Chicken Marinade
(By Tara Hatch)
1 c. sprite
1 c. Italian dressing
1ž2 c. soy sauce

Marinate for 12 hours and grill.

This dinner is simple, wonderful, healthy and delicious! Enjoy!

MS
MS