Creamy Lime Cilantro Slaw

Our family loves "slaw".  Its crunchy and a change from eating salads.  This slaw is good as a side or used on BBQ beef sandwiches.  I also have used it with fish tacos and regular tacos.  Super delicious, and when I make this, my boys go back fro seconds.  The dressing made enough for 2 separate meals.  I just put it in the fridge and used it later during the week.

Creamy Lime Cilantro Slaw

1/2 head of cabbage, shredded
2-3 green onion, sliced thinly
1/3 c cilantro, chopped

Dressing:
1/2 c mayo
1/2 c sour cream
4-5 tbs lime juice
1 tsp lime zest (optional)
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Combine dressing ingredients, test for flavor.  Combine slaw ingredients, and add dressing right before serving.  Add enough dressing to make it flavorful.  Refrigerate any leftovers.

Southwest Quinoa Salad

I have the most delicious salad for you!  I was skeptical.  I haven't jumped on the whole quinoa bandwagon.  But, I have some baby weight to lose, and I have been looking for healthy alternative to eating carbs.  This recipe doesn't taste like "diet food".  I love all the fresh flavors in this salad, it does not lack any flavor.  Try it, you will love it!  If you don't know how to cook quinoa, here is an fabulous website that tell you how:
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-quinoa-63344
 

Southwest Quinoa Salad

1 c quinoa, cooked according to package directions (cooked in chicken broth)
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 cup of frozen corn, defrosted or 1 can of corn, drained
4 green onions, sliced thinly
1/2-1 c cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 c cilantro, chopped

Lime Vinaigrette:
1/3 c olive oil
juice from a large lime
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp cumin
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, deveined and chopped finely

Cook quinoa, and let cool for 15 minutes.  Mix all ingredients for the vinaigrette.  Combine all ingredients for the salad, and then toss with the vinaigrette.  Let the salad sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Roasted Broccoli with Parmesean, Garlic, and Lemon

Tired of having the same old steamed broccoli?  Well this recipe is a great twist on the side that many of us love.  My kids LOVED this recipe, and they were begging for more.  When you roast the broccoli at a high temperature, it gets nutty, and not soggy.  Broccoli is super flavorful when roasted.  In our family we like vegetables to be tender crisp.  Heaven forbid if I cross the line into the soft baby food texture....no one will eat them.  When you roast the broccoli is comes out soft crunchy and we loved it.  By all means if you want  use fresh parmesan cheese and garlic.  I was just into simplifying my life tonight. My last comment, is that fresh lemon is a MUST!

Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan, Garlic, and Lemon

1-2 heads of broccoli, cut into florets
1 1/2 tbs olive oil
1/4 c grated Parmesan (I used the stuff in the can)
1 1/2 to 2 tsp garlic salt (more or less if you like)
1/2 lemon (I zested the lemon, and then used the juice)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  On a large sheet pan place broccoli, olive oil, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt.  Toss together with your hands and settle into an even layer.  Place into oven.  Every 10 minutes stir broccoli with spatula, and settle into a single layer.  Broccoli should be done with the broccoli tops start to turn brown.  Take out of oven, and add lemon juice and zest, toss to coat. Serve.

Pico De Gallo con Avocado

Do you like my Spanish? Look at me whipping it out...We eat Mexican a ton here in good old Hawaii.  Not alot of Mexican restaurants to choose from here, so I get my fix several times a week at home.  I love the fresh element that pico de gallo adds to tacos, burritos, tostadas, salads or even quesadillas.  The question is why make separate guacamole and pico de gallo?  Why not combine the two and save some time?  Plus, since avocados are so expensive, you actually don't need as much avocado as you would if you were making a full side of guacamole.  If you don't have the jarred salsa, add a few dashes of any kind of hot sauce, but make sure you season really well with salt and pepper. Love this!

 Pico De Gallo con Avocado

1/4 c. onion, minced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado, chopped
1/3 c or 1/3 bunch of cilantro, chopped
Juice of half of a lemon
1/4 c jarred salsa (like Pace Picante)
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together well.  Check for seasoning, and season with salt according to your liking.