Authors: Carrie S. Forbes
This is a salad with a burst of protein. Serve it as a side or as a main lunch course.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
1 (1-pound) bag lentils (green, yellow, or red)
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1
⁄
2
cup wine vinegar
Salt, to taste
1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
1 cup French Dressing (see recipe in
Chapter 2
)
Like other legumes, lentils are an excellent source of dietary fiber and protein. Due to their small size, lentils cook faster than other beans and legumes. Dried lentils can keep well in the pantry for up to 1 year.
Per Serving: Calories: 287 | Fat: 20 g | Protein: 7 g | Protein: 27 g | Sodium: 631 mg | Carbohydrates: 25 g | Sugar: 6 g | GI: Very low
The hot Gorgonzola cheese sets this salad apart as an impressive main course or lunch.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
2 large Portobello mushrooms
1
⁄
2
cup French Dressing (see recipe in
Chapter 2
)
4 strips bacon
4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1
⁄
2
cup mayonnaise
2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1
⁄
2
cup chopped roasted red pepper
There are many varieties of mushrooms available. Brown mushrooms have a robust flavor. White button mushrooms are delicious in sauces, and the big ones work well when stuffed or grilled. Get wild mushrooms from a reputable mycologist. Never guess if a wild mushroom that you find in the woods is safe. It may be poisonous!
Per Serving: Calories: 365 | Fat: 31 g | Protein: 11 g | Protein: 12 g | Sodium: 413 mg | Carbohydrates: 12 g | Sugar: 3 g | GI: Very low
This mixture may sound a bit different, and it is! In addition to being unique, it is also delicious.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 2
4 fresh figs, cut into halves, or 4 dried figs, plumped in 1 cup boiling water and soaked for
1
⁄
2
hour
2 cups stemmed fresh baby spinach
1
⁄
4
cup olive oil
Juice of
1
⁄
2
lemon
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon dark brown mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 large curls Parmesan cheese
Figs are a wonderfully nutritious food. Not only are they high in fiber and minerals, they also add tons of flavor to any recipe. Some cultures even claim that figs have medicinal value and healing potential.
Per Serving: Calories: 284 | Fat: 16 g | Protein: 10 g | Sodium: 1,368 mg | Carbohydrates: 30 g | Sugar: 22 g | GI: Low
This coleslaw recipe is a refreshing, sweet alternative to traditional coleslaw with mayonnaise. Additionally, the sesame seeds give it a nice, nutty flavor.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
2 cups packaged coleslaw mix
1 unpeeled tart apple, chopped
1
⁄
2
cup chopped celery
1
⁄
2
cup chopped green bell pepper
1
⁄
4
cup flaxseed oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
Nuts have a higher omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Seeds, on the other hand, have a much different profile. Seeds have a lower saturated-fat content and are more easily digested by individuals with intestinal issues.
Per Serving: Calories: 158 | Fat: 14 g | Protein: 1 g | Sodium: 20 mg | Fiber: 2.5 g | Carbohydrate: 8.5 g | Sugar: 3 g | GI: Low
This bright, orange-colored salad with the zesty flavor of fresh lime is a perfect fall side dish.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
3 cups cubed butternut squash, drizzled with olive oil and roasted
2 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
2 cups diced papaya
2 tablespoons shredded fresh ginger
Juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon honey, or to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1
⁄
2
teaspoon sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Per Serving: Calories: 142 | Fat: 3.5 g | Protein: 2 g | Sodium: 621 mg | Fiber: 5 g | Carbohydrate: 29 g | Sugar: 13 g | GI: Moderate
This root salad has a nice texture and color. It will go well with any traditional fall or winter dish and will make your home smell like a holiday meal.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
1 rutabaga, peeled and cubed
1 turnip, peeled and cubed
6 parsnips, peeled and cubed
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Roots are underappreciated parts of plants. These underground vegetables are Paleo approved and recommended as they are high in vitamin A and are a nice form of carbohydrate fuel, particularly after exercising.
Per Serving: Calories: 247 | Fat: 11 g | Protein: 4 g | Sodium: 79 mg | Fiber: 11 g | Carbohydrate: 36 g | Sugar: 15 g | GI: Moderate
This salad is a great appetizer for an Asian-themed meal.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
1
⁄
4
cup wakame seaweed
1
⁄
2
cup sea lettuce
3 cups kale
1
⁄
2
teaspoon lemon juice
1
⁄
4
cup fresh squeezed orange juice
6 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 tablespoon kelp powder
Sea vegetables are among the most nutritious and mineral-rich foods on Earth. Ocean water contains all the mineral elements known to humans. For example, both kelp and dulse, different types of seaweed, are excellent sources of iodine, which is an essential nutrient missing in most diets. Sea vegetables are dried and should be reconstituted by soaking them in water before eating.
Per Serving: Calories: 90 | Fat: 5 g | Protein: 4 g | Sodium: 64 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Carbohydrate: 9 g | Sugar: 2 g | GI: Very low
The acid in the lime juice breaks down the fat in the olive oil to make a flavorful dressing.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 2
1 jalapeño
4 tablespoons lime juice
4 tablespoons olive oil
1
⁄
4
teaspoon ground cumin
4 cups mixed baby greens
2 cups fresh blackberries or raspberries
1
⁄
4
cup thinly sliced red onion
Per Serving: Calories: 363 | Fat: 28 g | Protein: 5.5 g | Sodium: 242 mg | Fiber: 9.5 g | Carbohydrate: 21 g | Sugar: 6 g | GI: Low
Seedless watermelons sometimes have small white seeds scattered among the flesh. Use a fork to remove any noticeable seeds from the cubed watermelon before making the salad.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
1
1
⁄
2
cups cantaloupe, 1 cubes
1 cup seedless watermelon, 1 cubes
3
⁄
4
cup blueberries
1 cup green grapes, halved
1 tablespoon minced mint leaves
1 teaspoon minced flat-leaf parsley
Per Serving: Calories: 65 | Fat: 0.5 g | Protein: 1.5 g | Sodium: 12 mg | Fiber: 1.5 g | Carbohydrate: 16 g | Sugar: 10 g | GI: Low
This classic fruit salad is the perfect accompaniment for breakfast or lunch.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
1
⁄
2
cup cubed cantaloupe
1
⁄
2
cup cubed honeydew melon
1
⁄
2
cup cubed watermelon
1
⁄
2
cup red grapes
1
⁄
2
cup quartered strawberries
Grapes are broken into two major categories: wine grapes and table grapes. Wine grapes are red and green grapes with a high sugar content to make wine. Table grapes are red and green grapes with a lighter and slightly less sweet flavor than wine grapes, making them popular for culinary purposes.
Per Serving: Calories: 38 | Fat: 0 g | Protein: 1 g | Sodium: 8 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Carbohydrate: 9.5 g | Sugar: 8 g | GI: Low
Always rinse fresh produce under cool water. This will help remove things you don’t want to eat such as pesticides, fertilizers, and bacteria.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 1
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
4 cherry tomatoes
1
⁄
2
cup sliced Gala apple
2 tablespoons golden raisins
2 tablespoons diced mandarin oranges
Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and enjoy.
Per Serving: Calories: 135 | Fat: 1 g | Protein: 3 g | Sodium: 18 mg | Fiber: 5 g | Carbohydrate: 33 g | Sugar: 9 g | GI: Low
Tangelos, mandarin oranges, or any easily sectioned citrus will work wonderfully with this recipe.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 6
3 bulbs fennel
6 large oranges
1 teaspoon finely chopped hazelnuts
1
⁄
3
cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
Per Serving: Calories: 172 | Fat: 5 g | Protein: 3 g | Sodium: 61 mg | Fiber: 7 g | Carbohydrate: 32 g | Sugar: 19 g | GI: Moderate