Showing posts with label cucumbers. Show all posts

"Improved" Cup Bop Copycat

We've created our own and tastier, healthier version of Cup Bop that has more vegetables. It is super simple and a great meal for large gatherings.

INGREDIENT OPTIONS:

Cooked Rice
Cooked Sweet Potato Noodles
Cooked breaded chicken popcorn bites (favorite brand "Just Bare")
diced cucumbers, radishes, bell peppers, chives
edamame

microgreens
-Build your bowl and then top with desired sauces.Most people prefer to mix two sauces one of which is either Yum Yum or the sriracha mayo.

Mild Sauces:

Terriyaki Sauce (Trader Joes Soyaki sauce works great)

Coconut Aminos (I prefer this to soy sauce)

Yum Yum sauce

Slightly Spicy Sauces:

Korean Style Yangyeom Sauce (Trader Joes)
Poke Sauce

Sriracha Mayo

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

Gourmet Garden Greek Salad

This is a "lettuce-less" salad. This is so colorful and fresh. Summer is here!

Image Credit Here

INGREDIENTS:

Combine in a bowl a combination of the following:

Tomatoes

diced red onion (a little goes a long way)
Fresh Chives
Fresh Basil/Parsley
Cucumber
Celery
Red Pepper
Avocado
Feta Cheese

Garbonzo Beans

Kalamata or black olives

Fresh pepper

-Toss salad with Olive Garden Dressing and garnish with a little Balsamic Glaze

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.

Falafel Taco or Salad Bowl

I've become a big fan of Greek Food. My most recent trip to Europe, I probably ate Greek Food every other day. It is quick and fresh!

You can make this either salad or taco style!

Image from Here

Using Trader Joes cooked falafel (in frozen section), Mediterranean hummus, tzatkiki sauce, sweet potato fries, and bottled sliced kalamata olives makes this recipe extra simple!

Toppings/Fillings Options:
Falafel (Trader Joes has a super easy and simple prepared falafel balls that you just bake in the oven)
Red onion

Hummus

cucumber

kalamata olives
Mild banana pepper rings
bell peppers
tomatoes

shredded carrots

sliced avocado
feta cheese
Lettuce greens/spinach
Tzatziki sauce (Trader Joes has prepared version if you want a simple shortcut)

Microgreens (can also get these at Trader Joes)
Sweet Potato Fries

Build your taco with a tortilla of choice (prefer Trader Joes options since they don't have weird after taste---but they DO GO MOLDY quickly, so keep them frozen until you plan to use them. They will keep in fridge 2-3 days) and a variety of toppings. Enjoy!

Greek Pasta Salad with Yogurt

I have loved this recipe. I had something similar at a bridal shower and decided to come up with my own version that fits my taste preferences. The plain yogurt is so light versus your typical mayonnaise pasta salad.

1 lb butterfly or shell pasta cooked AL DENTE, then drain water

1-2 cups cooked chicken, cubed

1 small English cucumber, diced

1 large yellow, orange, or red bell pepper diced

3 oz sliced black or kalamata olives

feta cheese crumbles (optional)

1 c. plain yogurt (full fat preferred)

zest and juice from 1-2 large lemons

1/4 c. light olive oil

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp dried dill

1/4 c. chopped fresh Italian parsley (optional)

--Combine all ingredients and stir until mixed well.

Mediterranean Charcuterie Board

Here's another idea for a Charcuterie Board.

Fill it will all sorts of amazing toppings to make a gyro or falafel taco or salad.

Falafel

Spinach

Greens

Cucumber Yogurt sauce

pickled onions

banana peppers

kalamata olives

pickles

cucumbers

tomatoes

bell peppers

sprouts

gyro meat

Burger Salad

If you're wanting a new salad or are looking for a new Keto recipe...look no further!

Picture from 40aprons

INGREDIENTS--get creative!

Salad greens (romaine, iceberg, spinach)

red onion (carmelized for extra tastiness)

bacon, cooked/crumbled

ground beef, cooked and fat drained

cheese (blue cheese or cheddar are my favorite)

pickles

mushrooms

tomatoes

avocado

Sauce/dressing of choice (mayo, coconut aminos, ranch, etc)

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.

Garden Greek Salad with Balsamic Glaze

We have an abundance of tomatoes and cucumbers this year! This is a great salad to utilize that abundance. I love adding celery to give it the extra crunch, the creaminess of the avocado, and fresh basil and chives from our garden give this salad extra delicious taste!

In a large bowl combine (in any ratio you prefer):
cherry tomatoes (yellow pear tomatoes are beautiful too in this dish--mine aren't ripe yet!)
diced tomatoes
diced cucumber
chopped celery
diced avocado
feta cheese (or you can do fresh mozzarella cut in small cubes)
fresh basil
fresh chives (or finely chopped red onion)
salt/pepper to taste
--Toss ingredients with some Olive Garden Dressing. Garnish with sliced tomatoes and balsamic glaze.

Avocado Tuna Salad Lettuce Wrap

This is perfect summer fresh and light meal. Whip this up in a just a few minutes and Enjoy!

1 7 oz can tuna, drained
1 small avocado, diced
1/4 of a red bell pepper, diced
1/4-1/2 cup chopped English cucumber
2 TBS minced red onion
1/4 c. chopped cilantro
Juice from 1/2 a lime (may want to add more if lime is small)
salt/pepper
3 TBS olive oil
-Mix together in a bowl to combine. Spoon into Romaine Lettuce leaves and serve.

Greek Pasta Salad

Recipe and picture from Just a Taste. I was asked to make this for a friend's wedding. It has turned out to be on of my favorite pasta salads. It makes GREAT leftovers. I'd actually suggest letting the dressing sit on pasta salad for a bit (recipe says three hours). It does taste better as flavors have time to set.

Ingredients

Produce

15 Cherry tomatoes
1 Cup diced cucumbers
3/4 Cupdiced green peppers (colored peppers also work)
2/3 Cupsliced red onions
2 Teaspoonsdried oregano
1 1/2 Teaspoonsminced garlic

Condiments

3/4 Cup sliced olives
2 Teaspoonsfreshly squeezed lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

Make the pasta salad:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it until al dente. Strain the pasta and transfer it to a large bowl to cool slightly. While the pasta cools, make the dressing.

Make the dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients, except for the olive oil. While whisking, stream in the olive oil. Season the dressing with salt and pepper, to taste.

Add the red onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, green peppers and feta cheese to the bowl with the pasta.

Pour the dressing over the pasta, tossing to combine, then cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours and up to overnight. When ready to serve, toss the pasta salad again and enjoy cold or at room temperature.

Pasta & Grains

2 1/2 Cups uncooked pasta

Oils & Vinegars

1/2 Cupextra-virgin olive oil
1/3 Cupred wine vinegar

Dairy

1 Cupcrumbled feta cheese

Other

1 Teaspoon sugar

Quinoa Basil Salad

This is a recipe that doesn't have exact measurements. Hopefully you won't hate me. I just find every time I make it my ratios are a bit different depending on the supplies in my fridge. Sometimes it doesn't have any brown rice, other times it is heavier on the rice. Sometimes I don't have any feta, or other times I substitute tomatoes instead of peppers. FRESH basil is a key ingredient that really adds to the fresh unique flavor. Using the bottled dressing from Costco makes this recipe very simple, but it you can't find it I've given you a substitute recipe you can make!

Combine all ingredients in large bowl:
Quinoa, cooked (I like to use a combination of red and white quinoa)
Short Grain Brown Rice, cooked
chopped cucumbers
chopped bell red/orange/yellow peppers (or cherry tomatoes)
Shredded carrots
crumbled feta cheese
fresh basil, chopped
toasted pine nuts (optional)

Drizzle with:
**White Balsamic Citrus Basil Dressing (this is also good as a fish or chicken marinade) Add dressing to taste!

-Garnish with some extra chopped basil and toasted pine nuts
-Serve cold or at room temperature
**If you can't find this dressing, you can make your own using
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

6 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 TBS honey, sugar, or agave
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup basil leaves, chopped finely
Salt and pepper, to taste

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

Ginger-Peanut Chicken Salad Wraps

I have had this recipe for years and years! I remember making a gourmet picnic lunch for my husband many years ago and using this. This is really tasty:)

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

¼ cup creamy peanut butter or almond butter

1 garlic clove, crushed

1/2 sweet onion Carmelized with 1 tsp brown sugar

¼ teaspoon ground red pepper (optional)

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

3/4 cup shredded carrots (or broccoli slaw)

1 tsp sugar

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 cup cucumber, chopped, seeded and peeled

¼ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon minced, peeled fresh ginger (or 1/4 tsp dried)

6 (4 oz.) skinless, boned chicken breast halves, cooked and chopped

-Combine all ingredients in bowl. Mix together well. Serve on your favorite tortillas. You may also add lettuce/spinach and roasted peanuts if desired.
-KETOGENIC version, serve mixture in lettuce leaf instead of tortilla. Use xylitol for sweetener.

Layered Mediteranean Dip

We love the classic Layered Mexican Dip at our house. Here is a fun Mediteranean twist. Thanks to my sister Rachel for introducing me to this!

I always associated Cobb salad with ranch dressing and Cheddar cheese until I read an article in the Wall Street Journal . The article highlighted the Brown Derby Restaurant which I knew about from watching I Love Lucy growing up. Love that show! Anyway I made the Cobb salad recipe highlighted in the article. It was delicious. I actually prefer the dressing recipe slightly better that comes from Cooks Illustrated.

So Cobb Salad with a Dijon vinaigrette and blue cheese is mighty might tasty. Give it a try!

This makes a great summer meal. It is very simple to make if you have cooked brown rice on hand. Cooked brown rice freezes well, so whenever you cook rice, make extra so you have it on hand when you need it to make meal prep simpler. Serve this as a main course with a side salad and some seasonal fruit.

This is another salad favorite (with another salad to come with the same dressing), made a bit heartier with the tuna (sounds weird I know, but give it a try if you like canned tuna). You can add as many or as little additional toppings as you want depending on what's in your fridge!

Lettuce/Spinach
canned tuna, carrots, cucumber, avocado, green peas, kidney beans, bell peppers, slivered almonds, croutons, craisins (I like the hint of sweetness)

Dressing:
1 Italian Good Seasons salad dressing packet (.7 oz)
1/4 c. Balsamic Vinegar
3 TBS water
1/2 c. light olive oil

Cobb Salad

I always loved getting hard boiled eggs on my salad as a girl when our family went out to eat at a pizza restaurant with a delicious salad bar. I love cobb salad because of all the toppings! I think you can pretty much put anything in this salad, then serve with your favorite ranch or other desired dressing. The secret is just to have hard boiled eggs on hand so you can whip up the salad without waiting :-)

Ingredient options:
Romaine lettuce
tomatoes
hard boiled eggs, diced
bacon, chicken, or ham
cheese
kidney beans
peas
carrots
cucumbers
avocados