Happy Independence Day!

Berry and Watermelon Spinach Salad

Dressing:
3 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lime juice
1 teaspoon The Delicious Dietitian Thai Spice Blend

Whisk the lime juice into the olive oil until emulsified. Add the Thai Spice Blend and whisk until combined. 

Salad:
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup fresh mint leaves, rough chopped plus extra for garnish
2 cups watermelon, deseeded and cut into 3/4″ chunks
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup strawberries, sliced

Toss the spinach and mint together in a large serving bowl. A few minutes before serving, fold in the fruit and gently drizzle with the prepared dressing. Add a little bit of dressing at a time, and stop when you think you have enough–this salad is great with just a hint of dressing.

Garnish with a sprig or two of mint and serve.

Shrimp and Green Bean Salad

This delicious salad combines quick cooking shrimp with tasty green beans for a light, quick meal.  Use microwavable brown rice to cut your prep time even further!  

2 pounds peeled, medium-size raw shrimp (look for US wild caught)

Tomato Basil Vinaigrette, divided (recipe below)

1 1/2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed (or 1 bag steam fresh green beans)

1 1/3 cups (5 1/2 oz.) shredded Parmesan cheese

3/4 cup chopped roasted almonds 

2 cups prepared brown rice

Combine shrimp and 3/4 cup Basil Vinaigrette in a large zip-top plastic bag; seal and chill 15 minutes, turning occasionally.  If using fresh green beans, cook in boiling water to cover 4 minutes or until crisp-tender; drain. Plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process; drain, pat dry, and place in a large bowl.  If you are using steam fresh beans, follow the package directions.  Remove shrimp from marinade, discarding marinade. Sauté shrimp on medium high heat for 2 minutes on each side or just until shrimp turn pink. Toss with green beans, Parmesan cheese, roasted almonds, and remaining 3/4 cup Basil Vinaigrette. Serve over brown rice.

Tomato Basil Vinaigrette 

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup The Delicious Dietitian Tomato Wine vinegar

4 large shallots, minced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon The Delicious Dietitian Seafood Spice Blend

1 cup olive oil

Whisk together basil, vinegar, shallots, garlic, brown sugar, and spice blend until well mixed. Gradually add olive oil, whisking constantly until blended.

Italian Pasta Salad

This fresh, summery pasta salad works great as a meatless lunch, or as a side dish for grilled chicken.  Find mozzarella balls in the deli section of your local grocery store. If you can't find them,  use fresh mozzarella sliced into 1 inch pieces.

1 lb whole wheat penne pasta
1 container grape tomatoes
1 cup small mozzarella balls (celingini)
1 cup baby arugula
6 cloves of garlic, minced
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp Red Muscadine Vinegar
1 Tbsp The Delicious Dietitian Italian Spice Blend


Boil pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat.  Drain and set aside.  Slice grape tomatoes and mozzarella balls in half, set aside.  Sauté garlic in 2 Tbsp olive oil until soft and fragrant.  Add garlic to drained pasta.  Whisk together remaining olive oil, vinegar, and Italian Spice Blend.  Add tomatoes, mozzarella, and arugula to pasta.  Drizzle oil and vinegar mixture over pasta mixture and mix well.

Serving size, 1/2 cup