Salads 11-13

Salad #11: Tilapia Vera Cruz Salad
Light and easy.

Salad Contents:

• green leaf lettuce
• Tilapia filet - pat dry, coat with a touch of olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper, and 1/2 a pat of butter - roast in a 375 degree oven until done - about 10 minutes. You'll know that it's done because the fish will turn from opaque to white and it will flake when you gently twist it with a fork.
• large dice of avocado, tomato (or cherry tomatoes), and jicama (or cucumber)
• petite dice of red onion

Avocado-Lime Dressing:

• lime juice (1/4 cup fresh juice)
• avocado (1-2 ripe, depending on size and taste)
• olive oil (3/4 cup)
• garlic (1 clove)
• green onion (1-2, depending on taste)
• cilantro (1/4 c.)
• salt & pepper
• 1/2 jalapeno (seeded and veined)
• 1/2 t. sugar

Salad #12: Farmer's Harvest Salad

Salad Contents:

• Arugula or spinach, depending on availability and preference
• goat cheese crumbled
• roasted beets - scrub clean, pat dry, coat in olive oil and roast at 375 until fork tender. Skins should remove easily once they are cool. Medium dice.
• golden raisons or, really, any dried fruit that you have
• toasted walnuts - OR if you're feeling really special, candied walnuts!
• poached or soft boiled egg:
• poached eggs - bring water ALMOST to a boil, then spike it with a few tablespoons of vinegar. Crack an egg into a small bowl, then create a vortex by briskly stirring the pot of simmering water. Gently pour the egg into the center of the vortex. Use a spoon to help the egg whites stay together, but mostly, just leave it alone for about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, fetch the egg from the water and let it drain before adding it to the salad. Sprinkle it with salt.

 "All Purpose" Vinaigrette: this goes on everything. EVERYTHING!

• 1/4 c. lemon juice
• 3/4 c. olive oil
• 2 T. dijon mustard
• 1 t. sugar
• salt & pepper
• 2 green onions, finely chopped

Salad #13: "Grill Out" Salad
Sooooo perfect for summer! Use any "grill out" meat you want, but I like this with chicken or steak the most. If you don't want meat, substitute in black beans.

Salad Contents:

• Green leaf or Romaine lettuce - something crunchy
• Grilled meat of your choice - keep it simple: salt, pepper, & garlic powder are really all you need!
• Mixed grilled veges - thick strips of zucchini and squash, bell pepper, and tomato wedges - dress them in olive oil, salt, & pepper - grill until tender

Dressing: Use the A.P. Vinaigrette from above.