Salads

Skinny Chicken Salad

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Chicken, Posts, Recipes, Salads

Skinny Chicken Salad_3

 

In general, I don’t go out of my way to make lunch unless I’m home around lunchtime on the weekend, or a three-day weekend. That’s because during the week in my morning rush,  I grab something on my way out the door or simply pick up lunch at work.

The nice thing about lunch is that it’s easy. Throw together a salad, or a sandwich and ta-da! Lunch is served. This weekend, I wanted to take a stab at making some better for your chicken salad. You can trade off some of the additions, but stick with the light mayo. Mine only has 20 calories per tablespoon, without compromising taste. A nice combination could be one tablespoon each of chopped walnuts and dried cranberries. Test it out, try it out and see what works for you. I like the crunch of celery and carrots but it’s your prerogative. (more…)

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Brazilian Mayonnaise Potato Salad

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Posts, Recipes, Salads, Vegetables & Sides

Brazilian Salad

 

The great thing about having 7 aunts and uncles is that they and their children provide so much diversity to the family dynamic. Yes, we’re all essentially Arab/Middle Eastern, but we’ve grown up all over the world, some of us are American, others are Italian, Australian, Dutch, Jordanian, Egyptian, Algerian, English and Brazilian. And some of us have lived in places like London, Malaysia, Kuwait, Dubai, Oman, and Singapore. But we all bring something to the table – literally and figuratively. We may face some language barriers and be able to hold a conversation, but we all understand good food. And with so many cuisines to choose from, we’re lucky enough that our table is always full. (more…)

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Arugula Almond Salad

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Posts, Recipes, Salads

 

Salads are meant to be simple. That’s my philosophy, at least. So why complicate a salad with way too many ingredients and fat-laden salad dressing? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told, or have read, that just because you’ve ordered a salad at a restaurant, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re being healthy and cutting calories. That’s because they’ve added fried ingredients and added a dressing that has 500 calories (that’s dressing without the actual salad). You’d be better off ordering yourself a burger and fries. At least that way you can justify the 500 calories without trying—unsuccessfully—to convince yourself what you’re eating is actually good for you. (more…)

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Southwest Corn Salad

categories: Posts, Recipes, Salads

 

I love spending time with my mom, and more importantly getting recipes from her. Lucky for me, she doesn’t live too far away. Over the weekend, on one of my weekly visits, she was going on and on about a new salad she’d tried out – something about corn and avocados. At the word avocados my ears perked up (think small puppy ears) and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the recipe. Next thing I know, she pulls out a Tupperware with leftover salad and starts going down the list of ingredients. That’s when I started my menu planning for the week, Sunday afternoon. It’s a really light salad, as the dressing is super simple. I’m not really one for complicated salad dressings. My dressing of choice is olive oil and lemon juice on most occasions. (more…)

Calamari Salad

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Posts, Recipes, Salads, Seafood

 

Following an incredibly long time away from my bathroom scale, I got up the courage to get on and face the number that stared back at me. Not bad. For all the eating I had done on my two-week work trip, I was back and while feeling bloated (probably from being on a plane for 8 plus hours), I hadn’t gained a pound…. I couldn’t say the same for my luggage though. But that’s a story for another day.

The scale scare, and the heat and humidity that greeted me upon my return inspired me to go lighter on my meals. I scoured the internet looking for something light, but filling. And I came across this recipe for Calamari Salad. (more…)

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Fattoush [Arabic Salad]

categories: 500 Calories or Less, Arabic Food Made Easy, Posts, Recipes, Salads

 

 

Fattoush has become my Tayta’s favorite salad in recent days. I don’t blame her. It’s a pretty simple salad with tons of flavor. At my parent’s house, we’d usually have Fattoush everyday in Ramadan preceded by lentil soup. I could seriously make a meal out of Fattoush. They two key ingredients: Garlic and Pita Bread. Yes, pita bread. They serve as Arabic-style croutons with much less fat.

The original recipe calls for frying up the pita bread. However, my mother, and Tayta both have been baking their pita bread for Fattoush since as long as I can remember. We’d only get the fried ones for a special treat, namely when my mom hosted her dinner parties.

Fattoush Recipe

Ingredients

1 Large Pita Bread, cut into 1-inch squares
3 Green Onions, chopped
Romaine Lettuce
1 large Tomato
1 Cucumber
Vinegar, to taste (I’d say a couple tablespoons, if not more)
4 cloves Garlic, smashed
1 tablespoon Sumac
1-2 tablespoon Olive Oil
Sea Salt, to taste
 

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Place pita bread pieces on a baking tray and bake for 10-15 minutes, until hardened.
Mix together the vegetables.
Then add the garlic, olive oil, vinegar, salt and sumac.
Top the salad off with the pita bread.

 

Servings: 4

Nutrition Information: Cals 95. Carbs 11. Fat 5. Protein 2g. Sodium 108mg. Sugar 2g.