Inspiration to Eat Healthier

With the new year kicking off I have been on a mission to eat healthier as in less things that I love like pizza, anything covered in cheese, mile high chocolate cake, and, well, insert anything heavy and processed. This led me to a new place on Friday night as I mentioned in a previous post. I finally got around to trying out the The Silly Goose on the east side of town. Although a little late, I plan to return often and eat my way around their menu. 

The boy had the Lyle’s Surprise sandwich which was filled with hot cappicola, thommé, arugula pesto, basil, shaved fennel, with balsamic reduction on rosemary focaccia. YUM. I had the King Kong Couscous with sesame, curried shrimp, mint, ginger, cashews, coriander, and avocado. It didn't disappoint.

In this quest for healthier food I have been experimenting with lots of new things and strive to find items that still bring pleasure to eat. Eating healthy doesn't mean skimping on flavor or food that doesn't make me salivate. Below is the next recipe on my agenda.....

via

Superfood Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Serves 5

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dry quinoa

1/3 cup red onion, chopped

1 orange, peeled and segments chopped

1 avocado, chopped

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup pomegranate arils (about 1 pomegranate worth)

1 cup frozen corn, thawed

1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

salt & pepper

For the Lemon Vinaigrette:

2 lemons, juiced (need 1/4 cup juice)

2 garlic cloves, microplaned or finely minced

dash of sweetener (agave nectar, stevia or white sugar)

salt & pepper

6 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. Set aside to cool.

2. For the Lemon Vinaigrette: combine all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid, and shake to combine. Or, add lemon juice, garlic, sweetener, salt and pepper into a small bowl and whisk in oil.

3. Combine cooled quinoa with red onion, orange segments, avocado, beans, pomegranate arils, corn, cilantro, salt and pepper. Pour Lemon Vinaigrette over the salad and stir to combine. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Enjoy!

-xx

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