Greek Salad Protein Bowl

Beautiful and Delicious.  

I crave Greek food now. Something about the combination---YUM!

Ingredients:

Spinach

Cabbage

Cucumbers

cherry tomatoes

pumpkin seeds

feta

avocado (sprinkle with salt/pepper)

Chickpeas (either canned or the crunchy ones)

chicken

Microgreens

Hummus

Almonds

Tzatiki yogurt sauce (optional-the one from Trader Joes is delicious if you want to buy it)

Salad Dressing:

I like to either use Olive Garden Italian Dressing or 

this homemade Divine Lemon Basil Caesar Dressing or

this homemade Lemon-Herb Tahini sauce

 

Trader Joes Vegetable Masala Taco

 

Here is another "Trader Joes" recipe.  This recipe is flexible.  You don't have to use these Trader Joes items.  You may find similar substitutes.  I used to make a lot of veggie bean burger tacos in my college years.  The Vegetable Masala Burger from Trader Joes is a fun twist on this due to the spice differences.

Taco Ingredients--use some combination of the following:

Vegetable Masala Burger (Trader Joes brand, cooked according to package directions), cut into strips

Lettuce Greens/cabbage

chopped cucumbers

chopped peppers

shredded carrots

Chopped cherry tomatoes

Cilantro Dressing (Trader Joes brand or other)

Tortilla (Trader Joes has several varieties.  I prefer them over normal store brands, but they go MOLDY QUICKLY, so keep them in freezer until day of use.  They will keep 2-3 days in the refrigerator).

*For your dressing you can also use a favorite ranch dressing, or tzakiki sauce.

Salmon Tacos with Cucumber Slaw & Guacamole

Another recipe from Ina Garten with a few changes to my taste...

Again, we've become fish taco fans.  This is our other favorite fish taco recipe!

Image from here.

Flour or Corn Tortillas

Slaw

3/4 lb green cabbage, cored and finely shredded 

1 seedless English cucumber, unpeeled, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced
3 TBS  white or red wine vinegar
1/2 c. sour cream
3 Tbsp minced fresh dill (or 1 tsp dried)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
-Combine all ingredients in a bowl and let marinate in fridge

Salmon

Olive oil, for greasing the pan 

salmon fillet, skin removed 

-Sprinkle salmon with chipotle chile powder, fresh lime zest and lime juice, salt, pepper

--Bake 425 for 20-25 minutes until just cooked through

Build Taco and top with:
-Guacamole:  avocados, seeded and peeled-mash adding 1/2 tsp Sriracha per avocado, salt/pepper.

Applebee's Oriental Salad

I was the 4th of 5 children growing up.  My mom was pretty worn out in the cooking department by the time I was in high school.  We had take-out about once a week.  Applebees Chicken Oriental Salads was one of those takeout meals.  A sister-in-law recently reminded me of this salad I used to love.  It tastes just as good as I remember!  This is very easy and simple, especially if you use pre-breaded chicken from Costco.  Just bake and slice the chicken, and throw a combination of all the other vegetable goodies in a bowl, whisk up some dressing in less than a minute and you have a delicious meal!

Dressing:
3 TBS honey
2 TBS seasoned rice vinegar
1 TBS sesame oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise
-Whisk until smooth and creamy

Salad (use any combination of the following)
Romaine
napa cabbage
red cabbage
red pepper
canned mandarine oranges, juice drained
carrots
cucumber
green onions
sliced almonds
dry chow mien or rice noodles (or dried ramen noodles work too)
cooked breaded chicken, sliced

Chicken Cabbage Salad

There are many versions of this salad.  This one does not use the seasoning packet and is very light on the oil and sugar.  This is a wonderful summer salad, and it is always a big hit at potluck functions.  It is also easy to make!