Category Archives: salad

Orange Feta Salad

Posted by painlesslydelicious in fruit, salad and tagged with ,

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I had a surplus of fresh oranges.

I Googled around and adapted this recipe http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/orange-olive-oil-cake/recipe.html?dishID=5506 by Anna Olson.  I wasn’t making the cake at the same time but, as I still have oranges left, will likely make it soon.  As my orange salad wasn’t being served with cake, I adapted her recipe to incorporate some salty and spicy tastes to balance the sweet.

I peeled and sectioned quite a few oranges – naval and clementine – probably about 8 in total.  An simpler, pain-free way would be to buy several cans of mandarin oranges and drain them and put in a bowl.  Add about 1 cup crumbled feta cheese, 2 T. each olive oil and sugar, and 1 T. curry powder.  Stir.  This is good either served immediately or the next day after the flavors have blended a bit. It was quite a tasty salad and doesn’t get much easier.

Quinoa Salad with Roasted Vegetables, Feta and Pastrami

Posted by painlesslydelicious in lunch, potlucks, quinoa, salad and tagged with , , ,

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1 c. quinoa, rinsed

2 c. water

Combine quinoa and water in a medium sized pot and bring to a boil.  Lower heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the vegetables.

1/2 c. each broccoli, cauliflower and pepper, chopped into large pieces

1 medium sized carrot, peeled and chopped into chunks

2 garlic cloves

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Place vegetables and garlic on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.  Drizzle with olive oil.  Roast at 450 for 15 minutes.

Combine quinoa, vegetables 3/4 c.crumbled  feta and 1/2 c. chopped pastrami in a medium sized bowl.

Dressing:

In a jar or other covered container combine the roasted garlic cloves that have been smashed up with 1/3 c. olive oil, 1/8 c. rice vinegar, 1/8 c. maple syrup and 1 T. of mustard and 2 T. of a spice blend for the dressing.   Chill.

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Quinoa Salad with Pomegranates, Spinach and Sunflower Seeds

Posted by painlesslydelicious in dairy free, egg free, gluten free, quinoa, salad and tagged with , , , ,

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1 c. quinoa, rinsed

2  c. water

1/2 pepper, chopped

1/2 small onion, diced

A small handful fresh spinach, roughly torn

1/3  c. pomegranate arils

1/3 c. sunflower seeds, toasted

Combine quinoa and water in a medium sized pot.  Cover, bring to a boil. Remove lid and lower heat to medium low. Cook quinoa 12 minutes. Remove  pot from heat and cover.  Let stand 5 minutes.  Meanwhile, combine balance of ingredients in a medium sized bowl.  Add quinoa and combine well.  Mix in your favorite salad dressing.  Serves 4.

Meatless Monday: Vegetarian Taco Salad

Posted by painlesslydelicious in Budget Friendly, cheese, Main Dishes, Meatless Monday, salad, vegetarian and tagged with , , , , ,

This recipe serves one.  The ingredients can easily be doubled or tripled.  It’s very versatile too.

Handful of taco chips, placed on a plate.  Break up the taco chips if necessary.

Sufficient quantity of lentils or black beans to cover taco chips (if using canned lentils or beans, drain and rinse well)

Handful of lettuce or spinach, cut up

1 tomato, diced

1/2 pepper, diced

some green onions, chopped

shredded cheese to taste

1/2 sliced avocado

salsa, sour cream

Pile all ingredients on a plate in order given. You could heat the beans / lentils if you wish and sprinkle them with a little chile powder or tex-mex seasoning mix.  To make this with meat, use cooked ground beef or chicken in place of, or in addition to, the lentils or beans.

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Quinoa Salad with Chicken, Apples and Walnuts

Posted by painlesslydelicious in chicken, dairy free, egg free, gluten free, lunch, quinoa, salad and tagged with , , , , , ,


This was lunch today as I had leftover quinoa and chicken.
1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup water
1 cooked, chopped chicken breast
1 apple, chopped
¾ c. cup chopped walnuts
3 T. soy sauce (I used Bragg’s seasoning which is gluten free)
3 T. lemon juice
2 T. mayonnaise
3 T. maple syrup
2 T. grainy mustard
Dash of oregano and basil
Salt and pepper

Put quinoa and water in a pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook about 15 minutes until grains start to form spirals and most of the liquid is absorbed. Put cooked quinoa in a medium sized bowl, add in the rest of ingredients, stir to combine. Chill for a bit in the fridge. This serves about one.

Pomegranate and Feta Salad

Posted by painlesslydelicious in salad, side dishes and tagged with , , ,

1 head romaine lettuce

1 bunch spinach

Seeds of one pomegranate

1/4 c. toasted pine nuts or pecans

1/2 c. crumbled feta

Dressing
1/3 c. olive oil

1 T. red wine vinegar

2 T. maple syrup

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp oregano

salt and pepper

Rinse and spin dry the lettuce and spinach. Rip or chop and place into a large bowl. Toast nuts in a non-stick pan on medium low until they brown. Add to the bowl of greens along with the feta and pomegranate seeds. Combine dressing ingredients in covered jar or container, shake well.  Serve dressing on the side or pour onto the salad.

Serves about 10

Tips and Notes:  Buy a package of the pomegranate arils (the little seeds). Getting the arils out of the pomegranate is a major pain in the butt.  I’ve used packaged baby spinach and romaine in place of the head of romaine and bunch of spinach. I’ve also walnuts in place of the pecans or pine nuts.

Blueberry Goat Cheese Salad

Posted by painlesslydelicious in cheese, chicken, lunch, Main Dishes, salad and tagged with , , , ,

Fast and easy and wonderful if it is too hot too cook.

Divide among two individual containers a bunch of mixed greens, romaine lettuce (torn) or baby spinach.
Add 1/4 c. each of crumbled blueberry goat cheese (such as Pampered Goat), toasted sliced almonds, and fresh blueberries.
Serve with your favorite salad dressing (I used a Raspberry Vinaigrette.) Makes two and is really, really yummy. This would also be awesome topped with cooked, chopped chicken breasts.

Summer Corn and Tomato Salad

Posted by painlesslydelicious in salad, side dishes, summer, vegetarian and tagged with , , , ,

2 cups frozen corn, defrosted (or the equivalent canned or fresh)
1-1/2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
2 green onions, finely sliced
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine.

Japanese Quinoa Salad

Posted by painlesslydelicious in quinoa, salad, side dishes, summer and tagged with , , , ,
Salad days

Salad days (Photo credit: elisabet.s)

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 pkg (340)g firm tofu, drained and diced [or 1 cup cooked chicken breasts, diced, or 1 can salmon or tuna, drained], optional
2 cups coleslaw mix
1 large red pepper, chopped
1 small package sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 can (8 oz /227ml ) sliced water chestnuts, drained
2 tbsp toasted sunflower seeds
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, optional
1 tbsp dried parsley
Dressing:
½ c. Asian Sesame Salad Dressing or Renee’s Gourmet Japanese Ginger Dressing

Rinse quinoa in colander thoroughly with cold, running water. In medium saucepan, combine quinoa and water; bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed. Cool slightly. In large bowl, combine quinoa with remaining salad ingredients and dressing. Makes 6 large servings.