Eat Yourself Fit, Part III: Reinventing The Wheel For Salads

If someone said to you: I am having salad for dinner, doesn't it sound SO boring? We tend to associate that salads are just made of leaves and aren't filling, but surely there must be a way we can reinvent the wheel for salads, to ensure they are a delicious, fulfilling, satisfying and nutritious?

Well there is! I decided to trial the recipe for dinner (pictured above) for my family to change their negative perceptions. I wanted to ensure that it was a healthy but filling meal. This recipe was a definite crowd-pleaser... my Dad even said that it was the best meal he's had in years, and he wants it  again soon! 

Easy To Make Bean Salad With A Honey & Poppy Seed Dressing (Serves up to 5)

Ingredients

Salad:

• 1 tin of black-eyed beans from a can, drained 
• 1 tin of butter beans
• 8 cherry tomatoes tomatoes, diced in quarters
• 1 medium tin of sweetcorn from a can, drained
• 1-2 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
• 3 strawberries, washed and chopped into small chunks
• Handful of spinach, washed and chopped finely
• Handful of pre-made roasted vegetables e.g. courgettes and red onions, roughly chopped
• Zest and juice 1 lime
• Garnish: Small handful coriander and handful of rocket, washed, finely chopped

 Dressing:

• Two tablespoons runny honey,
• One tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar (with the mother)- see benefits towards the end of the post
• Dessert spoon of poppy-seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

To Make The Salad:

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients for the salad. Stir well and place the rocket and coriander on the top as garnish. Set aside.

To Make The Poppy-seed Dressing:
Whisk all ingredients together until combined- add to the salad or add as much (or as little) on individual servings.

To accompany the salad I made Cajun chicken, by marinating four chicken breasts a day before with:

• 1-2 dessert spoons of a pre-made Cajun spice pack,
• Small garlic, crushed
• Half a teaspoon of chilli 
• Good glug of oil

 I cooked the chicken on a griddled pan, if you haven't got this you can also cook it in the oven for 20-25 minutes (180 degrees celsius). I also made home made guacamole to accompany the meal (I will post the recipe soon).

 Note:

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) includes benefits such as:

• Weight loss, 
• Lowers blood sugar levels 
• Improves symptoms of diabetes.

I use ACV with the mother as people believe it is responsible for most of the health benefits, to see more uses of ACV see here.

To purchase the ACV I use click here

I hope after reading this post you are going to try making this recipe, would love to know your thoughts. 

Remember: Being healthy doesn't mean it's boring!  Thanks for reading...

Kimren xo