Summer Salad with Vinaigrette

This salad…is amazing!  I had a version of it while on vacation in Indy earlier this month.  Artisan lettuce (no iceberg) with fresh strawberries, mandarin oranges, pecans, crumbled/cubed cheese, and grilled chicken.  Delicious!

Salads are wonderful for a variety of things…you can get seriously creative with them.  Fruits, nuts, cheeses, meats, etc.  Nothing is really “wrong” on a salad…with the exception of dressing.  Some people go crazy with dressing, and drown the flavor (and health value) out of a perfectly good salad.

I have been experimenting with creating everyday food items from scratch.  First up…vinaigrette.  Specifically the vinaigrette that accompanied this salad in Indy.  A poppyseed vinaigrette.  The waitress was nice enough to tell me it had these things included:

-poppyseeds (of course)
-oil
-wine vinegar
-sugar*
-red onion

She followed it up with, “It’s really quite simple to mix up.”  So, I did.  I did; however, switch up the sugar for honey (as noted by the *).  I used two different kinds of oil, olive and canola.  The dressing had a pink hue to it, so I figured she probably meant red wine vinegar.  Putting this dressing together took me all of five minutes…and it is delicious!  Best of all, I know *exactly* what is in it, and I know it is fresh!

What kinds of salads do you enjoy?  Have you ever made your own dressing?

-Erica

Pumpkin Pancakes and Orange Smoothies

I must admit fall is my favorite time of year.  The trees are beautiful and vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows.  The air becomes crisp and cool with amazing breezes.  Everything around me seems fresh, yet comfortable.  I know it is not fall just yet, but I am looking forward to it.  Pumpkins, squash, friends, family, birthdays, holidays, and so much more.

Here are a couple recipes that will be perfect for those lazy fall weekend mornings:

PUMPKIN PANCAKES

• 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1-1/2 cups fat-free milk
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 egg white, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons canola oil

• In a large bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. In a small bowl, combine the milk, pumpkin, egg white and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
• Pour batter by 1/4 cupfuls onto a hot griddle coated with cooking spray; turn when bubbles form on top. Cook until second side is golden brown.

Here’s the dirt:
6 servings (2 pancakes each)

240 calories
5 g fat (1 g saturated fat)
1 mg cholesterol
375 mg sodium
41 g carbohydrate
3 g fiber
8 g protein

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ORANGE STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE

• 2-1/4 cups orange juice
• 1 package (12.3 ounces) silken reduced-fat firm tofu
• 3 cups halved frozen unsweetened strawberries
• 1-1/2 cups sliced ripe bananas

In a food processor, combine the orange juice, tofu, strawberries and bananas; cover and pulse until blended. Pour into chilled glasses; serve immediately.

Here’s the dirt:
6 servings (1 cup each)

120 calories
1 g fat (trace saturated fat)
0 cholesterol
51 mg sodium
25 g carbs
3 g fiber
5 g protein

-Erica