Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Simple But Perfect Salads: The Taste of Summer All Year Round


Why: The notion of cooking dinner in the kitchen during the hot summer months is just something I cannot bear. So, when I found Beverly Le Blanc's book titled, "Simple But Perfect Salads: The Taste of Summer All Year Round" it was like finding the Hope Diamond of summer cookbooks. The recipes were very simple to follow making time in the kitchen minimal. The majority of dishes contained healthy, easy to find ingredients with a good mix of protein, carbs, and fresh veggies. Plus, the photos were vivid and just gorgeous.

Where: Amazon.com


-Sample Recipe from page 150-

TUNA & HERBED FUSILLI SALAD

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
7 oz./200 g dried fusilli (corkscrew-shaped pasta)
1 red bell pepper, seeded and quartered
1 red onion, sliced
4 tomatoes, sliced
7 oz/200 g canned tuna in brine, drained and flaked (I used organic tuna from local health food store)

For the Dressing:
6 tbsp basil-flavored oil or extra-virgin olive oil
3 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp honey
4 tbsp chopped fresh basil, plus extra sprigs to garnish

Bring a large pan of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta, return to a boil, and cook for 8-10 minutes until tender but still firm to the bite.

Meanwhile, put the bell pepper quarters under a preheated hot broiler and cook for 10-12 minutes until the skins begin to blacken. Transfer to a plastic bag, seal, and set aside.

Remove the pasta from the heat, drain, and set aside to cool. Remove the bell pepper quarters from the bag and peel off the skins. Slice the bell pepper into strips.

To make the dressing, put all the dressing ingredients in a large bowl and stir together well. Add the pasta, bell pepper strips, onion, tomatoes, and tuna. Toss together gently, then divide among serving bowls. Garnish with basil sprigs and serve.

2 comments:

Hampers said...

Thanks for sharing the tips on making perfect salad. ENjoyed going through it. Wine will do better with it.

Diana's Gift Shop said...

There is nothing like being able to walk out into your own organic garden and putting a salad together on the spot for a quick meal ;)
My family so enjoys doing that often over the Summer.

I like having healthy food for my kids and I encourage other to do what they can too.
Even if it is just planting a porch box or a hanging basket with salad fixin's and herbs or 1 tomato plant in a 5 gallon bucket...

As an aside, I was drawn to your blog because of its name.
I have signed my posts, letters and emails... "Organically Yours" for years.

I am happy to have found your blog.
Stop by mine to see my organic garden recipes, my all natural products, my writings about organic gardening and natural living...

Organically Yours,
Diana