Spring mix-Berry,Mango n Avocado Salad

I love Spring time,not only for the lovely weather,birds and flowers it brings but also for the abundance of spring vegetables,fruits and salads that are available which taste so fresh and crisp just like the Spring air.I haven't posted a recipe in a while because was busy  mulching and  planting my flower,veggie and herb kitchen garden.Will post the pics as soon  as the veggies start to grow.Have planted Basil,Oregano,Sage ,Thyme,Tarragon,Lavender,Tomatoes,Eggplant,Zucchini,Watermelon,Okra ,Bell Peppers and another long list of flowers some of which have to be planted yet .So please excuse me for not blogging regularly.Here's a delicious Spring salad .Goes well with BBQ chicken or baked fish or even on it's own.I love the combination of early Spring salad mix with delicious strawberries and ripe mango and creamy avocados.

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Recipe:

Mix in a salad bowl

6 cups of organic Baby Spring salad mix or mix

a bunch each of baby Romaine,baby Spinach,Endives,Radicchio

1 ripe mango diced

10- 12 strawberries halved

2 ripe avocados sliced

4 Persian or 1 English cucumber chopped

1 Gala Apple thinly sliced

2 carrots julienned ( use a veggie peeler)

Dressing of your choice

I have used JapaneseTonton Ginger dressing 

(Winner of 2006 NASFT’s Outstanding Oil, Vinegar and Salad Dressing Category)

 

Asian style Broccoli and Crispy noodle salad

This recipe was specially developed for a dear childhood friend of mine who requested me for salad recipes containing brocolli .While I have had salads which contain raw broccoli I prefer steaming or sauteing them lightly still retaining the crunch before adding them to salads as they are easier to digest when cooked down especially for kids.You can use raw broccoli if you prefer it that way .

Veggies should be lightly sauteed,they should be crisp and bright colored.

Ingredients:
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 cup broccoli florets
1 cup Asian mixed vegetables(baby corn,red peppers,mushrooms,waterchestnuts ,carrots and sugar snap peas)
1 bunch of organic Heart of Romaine lettuce (Hearts of Romaine lettuce are just the tender crispy leaves that are enclosed within the outer greener mature ones.The outer ones are discarded.This is how they are sold )
3 tbsp sweet chili ginger  sauce ( I like Ginger People brand)

Romaine Hearts,Sesame oil,sweet chili ginger sauce,red wine vinegar,soy sauce

1/2 tsp vinegar
1/2  tsp soy sauce
1 tsp Siricha sauce (hot chili sauce)
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
1 tsp chili lime seasoning
1 cup La Choy crispy noodles (you can alternately fry rice noodles to a golden brown and add)
10 Vegetable spring rolls crisp fried (I have used store bought here)

Directions:
Heat sesame oil in a wok . Add the broccoli florets  , Asian stir fry veggies ,soy sauce ,vinegar and  chili lime seasoning and saute for 5  mins .They should be crispy and bright colored.Let cool
Cut up the Romaine lettuce .Add the sauted Asian veggies ,sweet chili ginger sauce,Siricha sauce ,toasted sesame seeds and toss well. Just before serving add the crispy fried noodles and vegetable spring rolls.If you add them earlier they'll get soggy.Serve with extra ginger chili sauce as a dressing if desired.

Avocado salad with Blue cheese dressing (low fat version)

Blue cheese dressing though very delicious can pack in a lot of calories which in turn makes eating the salad laden with it a joke !! Here's a low fat version  that's equally delicious .Mayo has been replaced with yogurt.


1 bunch organic heart of Romaine lettuce

 Note : Since lettuce grows very close to the soil it is best to buy organic as it can be laden with pesticides .Same goes with root veggies like carrots .Also since  salads  are raw it's best to buy most of the ingredients organic for a great natural taste.

10-12 organic baby carrots
2 ripe avocados
1/2 cup herb croutons
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
2 tsp toasted sunflower seeds

Blue cheese dressing (low fat version):
1/4 th cup crumbled blue cheese
1 cup whole milk organic yogurt
salt to taste
1/2 tsp freshly crushed pepper
1/4 tsp Worchestershire sauce

In a bowl mix together all the dressing ingredients with a fork to a smooth texture.

Cut and mix all the salad ingredients in a salad bowl.Serve with the blue cheese dressing.