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.

Chicken and White Bean Soup

Chicken and White Bean Soup

1 cup chopped onion

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1 tablespoon The Delicious Dietitian Italian Spice Blend 

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 (15 ounce) can Cannellini beans or other low sodium white beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can no sodium added diced tomatoes

1 (14 ounce) can fat-free, no-sodium added chicken broth 

1 (7 ounce) bottle roasted red bell peppers, rinsed, drained, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces 

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

1 (6 ounce) package fresh baby spinach

8 teaspoons grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Combine first 10 ingredients in an electric slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. Reduce heat to LOW; cook 3 hours. Stir in rosemary and spinach; cover and cook on LOW for 10 minutes.

Ladle soup into bowls; top each serving with cheese.

Southwest Black Bean and Corn Quinoa

Southwest Black Bean and Corn Quinoa

2 tsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup diced onion
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed well and drained
1¼ cups no sodium added vegetable or chicken broth
1 can (1½ cups) low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can no sodium added diced tomatoes, with juices
1 cup frozen corn (or kernels cut from 2 ears of corn)
1 Tbsp The Delicious Dietitian Southwest Spice Blend
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/3 cup chopped scallions
1/2  of a lime, juiced

To finish: 
Shredded cheese, light sour cream/fat free plain Greek yogurt, salsa, and/or avocado

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add garlic and  onion to the pan and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.  Stir in the the quinoa, broth, beans, diced tomatoes, and corn to the pan.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover.  Simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the liquid is fully absorbed.  Remove from the heat.  Stir in the Southwest Spice Blend, cilantro, scallions and lime juice.  Serve as desired with cheese, salsa, avocado, and/or sour cream.