Star spangled salad recipe

As you celebrate the red, white and blue this July, consider tossing my Star Spangled Salad together as a healthy swap.

t

t Summertime is here. Get ready for eight weeks of sun, swim and BBQs. I’m trying to stay fit this season and not fall victim to all the heavy pasta or potato salads that inevitably end up on every BBQ buffet table. Obviously my hands will find the chip and dip bowl. I have learned to accept that there will be foods for indulging whenever I am invited to a party this summer. To make myself feel less guilty for splurging on chips and potatoes and to celebrate the red, white and blue, I have created a clean and healthy Star Spangled Salad.

t

Star Spangled Salad

Ingredients:

t
• 1 medium-sized jicama

t

• 16 ounces strawberries

t

• 8 ounces blueberries

t

• 1 cup uncooked quinoa

t

• 5 ounces arugula

t

• 10 leaves fresh mint

t

• 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil

t

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

t

• 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

t

• 10 basil leaves, chopped

t

• Salt and pepper

Directions:

t
1. Prepare the quinoa according to package instructions. Set aside to cool.

t

2. Finely dice the jicama, strawberries and mint. In a very large serving bowl, combine the arugula, jicama, blueberries, strawberries and mint. Add the quinoa after it has cooled.

t

3. In a dressing bottle (I used a small Mason jar), combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, basil, salt and pepper. For a party, go ahead and toss the dressing with the salad. If you plan to keep this salad as a meal through out the week, dress each serving to prevent wilting.

t The sweetness of the fruit balances out the peppery arugula and creates its own party on your plate. And with quinoa added to this salad, you even get protein. The Star Spangled Salad is so fresh and healthy that I’m willing to bet you most of the partygoers will be taking the salad tongs to serve up seconds, maybe even thirds.

t By the way, if you like what you see here and can spare a minute, head over to the Arizona Foothills Magazine’s Battle of the Blogs 2014 and vote for This Chick Eats Clean! You can vote daily and often! (Nothing to sign up for or purchase.)

t Happy Fourth of July.

t XO, This Chick