June 20, 2023

Well-Traveled Salad Dressings and Marinades

As the summer heats up, quick salads and meals inspire my favorite international-style dressings, while maximizing the benefits of FoodTrients. Most of these dressings can also be used to marinate meat, chicken or seafood. You’ll notice that many of these dressings/marinades contain a small amount of mustard. Mustard serves as an excellent emulsifier to fully incorporate the oil and the acid.  It also tenderizes the protein you are using in the dish. BBQ Grilled Scallops with Grilled Asparagus Scallops are such wonderful nuggets of protein with a sweet, nutty taste. Scallops are also low in calories, high in protein (19.5 […]
August 30, 2022

Asian Chicken Salad with a Tasty Twist

In my version of Chinese chicken salad, I use mangoes instead of Mandarin oranges. The base of the dressing is a bottled sweet chili sauce. The crispy noodles, though not very healthy, are fun in moderation. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, which helps keep your appetite in check and maintain muscle mass. Cabbage contains indoles and isothiocyanates (sulfur compounds), both of which have anticancer potential. Vitamins C and A in mangoes fight inflammation and support immune function.. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup peanuts (raw or roasted), separated into halves ¼ cup olive oil 2 cups shredded Napa […]
April 22, 2022

Exotic Fruit Salad with Granola

  My recipe for Exotic Fruit Salad, which is featured in my new cookbook – The Age Beautifully Cookbook — is a protein-packed, vitamin-filled way to grab a healthy snack or start your morning. You can add spices, such as nutmeg, cardamom, and allspice (about ⅛ tsp. each), and nuts. Instead of exotic fruits you can use grapes, blackberries, strawberries, and/or bananas. The Omega-3 fatty acids in the flaxseeds are great for your arteries and heart. Oats and fiber are both known to reduce cholesterol. The exotic fruits in this recipe are full of antioxidants and vitamin C, which helps […]
October 20, 2020

Autumn Salad with Maple-Protein Dressing

Sometimes salads aren’t filling, but they can be if you add the right combination of fiber, protein and healthy fats. This fall salad offers double beans, a protein punch! Maple syrup, mustard, tahini, tamari and savory nutritional yeast combine into a thick dressing that pairs perfectly with hearty salad greens. Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and kale are cancer fighting, anti-aging champions. Enjoy them blended into a salad that packs perfectly for lunch or accompanies a holiday meal. YIELDS 10 SERVINGS Ingredients Dressing 1 (15-oz.) can cannellini or white beans, rinsed and drained 2 Tbs. tahini paste 2 Tbs. […]
August 25, 2020

Relax with Mexican Roasted Chickpea Salad

This tasty salad is a mixture of nutritious vitamins from lettuce and grape tomatoes, and offers healthy fats, too. Best of all, it’s vegan, offers a good amount of fiber from the chickpeas, and helps promote sleepiness if you’ve been staying up too late. Ingredients: 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (drained, rinsed and dried) 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp. ground cumin 1 tsp. chili powder 1 tsp. smoked paprika ½ tsp. salt, divided 2 ears sweet corn (kernels removed) ½ cup fresh salsa ¼ cup plain almond milk yogurt (TRY: Kite Hill or Silk) ¼ cup chopped, fresh cilantro […]
April 26, 2020

Bitter Melon Salad

Bitter melon, which resembles a wrinkly, light-green cucumber, is something of an acquired taste. Soaking it in salted water to remove the bitterness is the first step in getting people to fall in love with it. It’s worth the trouble, because boiling bitter melon in water releases its antioxidant power. Bitter melon also has immune-boosting beta-carotene, potassium, and detoxifying fiber. Asian herbalists prescribe it to diabetes patients to help them stabilize their blood sugar. This salad makes an excellent side dish for grilled meat, fish, and vegetables. Serves 2-4 Ingredients 4 medium-size bitter melons ¼ cup kosher salt Pinch of […]
April 26, 2020

Spinach and Grapefruit Salad

Spinach contains iron as well as age-defying antioxidants. Grapefruit is chock-full of vitamin C and potassium. You can use vitamin-C-packed pink or white grapefruit in this salad, though pink grapefruit has the added benefit of lycopene. If you use whole segments of the grapefruit, you’ll also add fiber. The candied walnuts and dried apricots balance the acidity of the grapefruit and increase the antioxidants in this dish. My Honey-Lime Dressing perfectly compliments the mellow flavor of the spinach. SERVES 2 Ingredients 1 bunch or 1 bag spinach leaves 1 whole grapefruit, segmented ¼ cup candied walnuts ¼ cup dried apricots 2 […]
April 26, 2020

Fresh Vegetable Herb Salad

Getting bored with regular green salads? Toss things up with a fresh spring salad packed with flavor and protein to keep you full and energized. Tofu is a versatile and easy-to-make protein source that adds texture to this flavorful salad. A light lemon-herbed dressing perfectly suits a combination of favorite garden veggies. Given the hearty nature of this salad, it travels well and makes great leftovers. Packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, be sure to include this simple, tasty salad as a side dish at your next dinner or picnic. Because of the marinating, cooking and cooling time in this […]