Healthy Eating Tip: Adding Protein to Salads

“Sometimes you feel like a nut…”🎶

As I’m adding some peanuts to my salad today, that catchy tune popped into my head. More often that not, I add nuts to my salads. Today it is a simple handful of dry-roasted Planter’s Peanuts. I have different nut mixtures ready to go, however, so that way I can mix it up and have a variety of flavors on salads.

Nuts proteinToday’s salad is loaded with a variety of goodness, including:

  • Mixed greens
  • Beets
  • Lemon cucumber
  • Hummus
  • Mini bell pepper
  • Chia seed
  • Kalamata olives
  • Dijon Balsamic dressing

I love a variety of texture and flavor, so that’s why my salads are often loaded. Look for fun ways to make your salad an explosion of flavor, texture and taste. If you want some crunch, definitely add some peanuts. How are you adding protein to your salad today?

I’ll see you at the table!

 

Peanut Veggie Pasta Salad

I originally found this recipe on Tasty and tried to follow the recipe exactly. But, to make the recipe easier, I’ve provided some notes below.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 Tbsp. sesame oil
2 Tbsp. Sriracha [Jen’s Note: Omit for less spice. People can add the Sriracha on if they want it spicy.]
1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp. ginger /minced
3 cloves garlic /minced [Jen’s Note: This is a lot of garlic, but pasta can take a lot of garlic, just be prepared for the garlic after taste.]
2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 Box Whole Grain Linguine (or any pasta will do)
1 cup carrots /finely cut into matchsticks
2 cucumbers /shaved using vegetable peeler [Jen’s Note: I didn’t want long pieces of cucumber, so I cut cucumber lengthwise, scooped out the seeds, then cut into 1/4″ thick crescent shaped pieces.]
1 red bell pepper /thinly sliced into strips
1 yellow bell pepper /thinly sliced into strips
1/2 cup green onion /sliced
1/4 cup cilantro /chopped
1/4 cup peanuts /chopped

Directions:
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to instructions on the box. Drain and run cooked pasta under cold water to cool. [Jen’s Note: Break the noodles in half so it’s easier to cook, mix and even easier to eat later. I used regular spaghetti and it worked great.]

In a medium bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, Sriracha, water, minced ginger, minced garlic, and brown sugar. [Jen’s Note: Don’t try to wisk this together. It makes one heck of a mess. Instead, use a high powered blender to get the consistently creamy sauce that will incorporate the sauce ingredients better for even flavor.]

Combine pasta with sliced vegetables. Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables and mix well. Cover and chill for at least one hour before serving. [Jen’s Note: Use a deep bowl for combining and one with a lot of space over the top otherwise you’ll find it’s hard to mix this all together.]

Garnish with chopped cilantro and peanuts. [Jen’s Note: Also consider adding 2 tablespoons sesame seeds for added crunch and texture.]

I’ll see you at the table!

Restaurant Review: Oasis Cafe – Utah

One thing I love about friends who live in another county, is the exposure to new restaurants.

Marilyn suggested that we meet at Oasis Cafe in Salt Lake for our dinner date. Yeah! An organic, vegetarian, local spot. We sat in their patio area, enjoying the mild night breeze and giggled like school girls. I love girls-night-out.

We started off with the zucchini wrapped baked tofu in marinara sauce. Holy cow was this good! I would’ve had two of them, but need to remember to order without the parmesan cheese next time. You gotta try it!

oasis2

Marilyn had the famous Mediterranean Salad with grilled salmon. I snagged one of her grilled potato slices. This vegetarian salad could easily be vegan with omitting the meat and vinaigrette dressing. Looked amazing though and Marilyn says it’s her favorite.

 

I enjoyed the Udon Noodles with tofu. This vegan dish was really tasty with fresh crisp veggies (gave Marilyn the mushrooms). The peanut sauce was amazing! I think peanuts are God’s way of telling us He loves us. I wish the noodles were whole wheat, or preferably rice, but were quite yummy.oasis2a

oasis2b

Thanks, Oasis for a great dinner! I’ll be back… maybe try the Med salad vegan style.