heat wave salads

we’re experiencing a bit of a heat wave on the west coast right now, although it’s not as hot as it’s been in recent summers.  when it’s hot, I start to crave really light and refreshing snacks and meals, which is why summer is when I end up eating lots of salads…but I quickly get bored with the normal ‘lettuce with veggies with protein’ thing.  so I try to mix it up a little and here’s a few of my faves…

- slice an avocado and layer with slices of a tomato (and slices of fresh mozzarella for the non-vegans!).  top with fresh basil and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  you can also add green onions if you want. it’s a summery version of a caprese salad! if you want it really fresh use lemon juice in place of vinegar.

- toss (chilled) couscous, cherry tomatoes and garbanzo beans with a little olive oil, lemon juice and salt and pepper.  feel free to add some basil or even mint!

- throw together any berries you like (it’s berry season!) with any nuts you like and some dark leafy greens.  Delicious!

- toss thinly sliced cucumber with toasted sesame seeds and a little soy sauce and rice vinegar.  feel free to add some sliced onions if you like!  makes a great snack.

- mix together black beans (can be canned), corn and chopped jicama, tomatoes and green onions.  dress it with lime juice, cumin, basil and cilantro.  perfect for a potluck or a bbq.

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  • bostonmayo

    Wow, they totally look delicious! Thanks for sharing these! :)

  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/louisianamei louisiana mei

    those look so delicious, especially the berry one and the sliced cucumber!
    i might try one of those this weekend..

  • mollask614

    they look so good… this had me wondering if you have any tricks of the trade for becoming a vegan! I think i want to try it!!

    • mr. kate

      Hi! Thanks for your comment! I would say that the number one trick is to make sure you have a good grocery store that is stocked with health food and vegan options/alternatives. If you set out to just be vegan off of salads etc, you probably won’t last long. Try to think of each meal in a balanced way. Now, instead of meat and cheese being there, they should be replaced with whole grains and beans. A grain and a bean together forms a complete protein…. but you don’t need as much protein as most people (who are meat eaters) these days assume.
      I suggest eating out too to get ideas on what you can eat at home. Mexican food is really easy to have vegan, get a bean burrito with rice, black beans, fajita veggies smothered in guacamole and salsa mmm! At Italian restaurants you can get pasta dishes (ask if they have a whole wheat pasta option) with veggies and sundried tomatoes, olive tomato sauce, etc. Sushi is really easy to eat vegan (veggie rolls, vegetable tempura, miso soup, soba noodles, salads, etc.). Indian food always has great veggie options, just make sure you ask for hidden butter use, etc. It’s really easy to cook and eat out vegan, once you know how to order. You can do it!
      So to sum it up, think outside the box and stock your fridge so you have options for breakfast, meals, snacks and sweets. Get lots of veggies and learn how to make quick stir frys, stews and pasta dishes. Stick to whole grains and avoid sugar as much as possible so you don’t become a french fry, pizza, candy vegan. I would suggest reading a couple books too. The one that started me out was The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone. There’s also a ton of great vegan cookbooks out there. Be experimental and don’t be too hard on yourself too! Have fun and let me know if you have any more questions. xx – kate