Red Kidney Bean Salad

My 100th post!!!! I thought it should be healthy :)

Ingredients:

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons high-quality red wine vinegar
2 cups small, sweet cherry tomatoes
1 teaspoon fine sea salt, more as needed
3 14-ounce cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (or 1 lb beans soaked overnight and boiled)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 bunch of chopped green onion

Method:

1. In a small bowl, combine onions and vinegar. Set aside to marinate while preparing rest of salad, or up to three hours.
2. Halve cherry tomatoes and place in a serving bowl. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Add kidney beans, onion mixture and olive oil. Toss gently to mix, adjust salt to taste, and serve.

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Bruschetta

Thanks to the Italians who gave us this 'Ready in 10 mins' appetizer which is as easy as a pie and has flavors that are simple yet delightful. Also thanks to people who added so many kinds of variations to the toppings. Ideally Italian bread should be grilled over hot coal to get real Italian flavor, but in regular homes bread is toasted or broiled to make it. I am gonna write my recipe here:


Ingredients:

1  can Italian Diced Tomatoes
6 cloves Garlic
4 TB Olive Oil
3/4 cup basil
1 long french bread

Method:

1. Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix right before serving.

For easy bread pieces to go with the bruschetta, here is what to do:

2.. Buy french bread loaf. Cut in slices and place on a cookie sheet.

3. Butter slices and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Broil on HIGH for 2-5 minutes (dependent on how fast and hot your oven is).

4. Serve the bread pieces with your bruschetta.

It is a family favorite that can be made so easily and tastes so good!

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Crostini or Italian Croutons

Crostini is Italian croutons. Its a nibbly party food. I tried to make it for a potluck party where Italian food was the theme. It is real simple yet has elegance of Italian food.


Ingredients:

1 French baguette, sliced  approximately 1/3” thick
2-3 tablespoons olive oil or olive oil spray
Salt and pepper, to taste

Toppings: There are as many variations for toppings as the number of people making it. I am going to mention some of my favorite:

mozzarella cheese slices
chicken breasts
salted fish slices
parsley
cut mushroom slices

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly brush or spray both sides of each bread slice, then arrange on a baking sheet.

2. Season each piece with salt and pepper.

3. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and let cool before topping with ingredients.

4. Load it up with toppings right before eating it. Garnish it with salt and pepper.

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Garbanzo beans/Chick Pea Salad to reduce your waist line

I am watching my waist right now and here is my favorite recipe which is kind of making me jump miles ahead whenever I go for it :)

There you go with the recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup dried chickpeas (200 grams)

1 jalapeno pepper

3 – 4 tablespoons minced shallot (about ½ large shallot)

½ cup chopped cilantro leaves

Salt – to taste

Juice of 1 lime

1 tablespoon mild-flavored oil (I used light olive oil)

¼ teaspoon dried mango powder (optional)

Method:

1. Soak the chickpeas overnight. (Or, if you didn’t think to soak them ahead of time, put them in a pot and cover with at least 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let them sit, covered, for 1 hour. Then proceed with the recipe.)

2. Drain the chickpeas and cover with plenty of water again. Bring to a boil and boil for 10 minutes. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Add 1½ teaspoons kosher salt (1 teaspoon of table salt) and simmer until tender, an additional 10-15 minutes.

3. Drain the beans well.

4. Cut the jalapeno pepper in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Mince the pepper.

5. Whisk the lime juice, oil, and mango powder together.

6. Combine all of the salad ingredients with the lime juice dressing.

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Guacamole

Guacamole is an avocado-based sauce that originated in Mexico. In addition to its use in Mexican cuisine it has also become part of American cuisine as a dip, condiment and salad ingredient.

Ingredients:

2 medium ripe avocados 
1/2 small onion chopped
1/2 of a 4 oz can diced green chile peppers
1 Tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 medium tomato, seed removed and chopped


Method:

1. Cut avocados in half.  Remove seed (set the seed aside).  Dice and scoop out of skin.
2. Place avocado in a bowl and mash to desired consistency.
3. Mix in remaining ingredients.  Serve immediately or place in the fridge with pits added to the bowl.  Putting the pits in the bowl will keep the guacamole from going brown.

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Black Bean Salad ...... best dinner to reduce waist and tone tummy

Black beans has most fiber among beans, it helps tummy remain full for long, fight constipation, prevents bloating and also tones tummy. To top it all its sooooo yummy that you will not go for anything else at dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup minced onion
• 1tbs ginger garlic, pressed
• 2 cup black beans or 1 15 oz can (without BPA), drained and rinsed
• 1 tomatoes, chopped 
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbs fresh lemon juice
• green thai pepper or chilli chopped
• salt and black pepper to taste
• 
  

Method:

1. Mince onions and press garlic and let sit for at least 5 minutes to bring out the flavour.
2. Mix all ingredients together and serve. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for awhile.

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Desi/Indian Diet plan For Diabetics

I prepared this chart for my dad and he liked it a lot. It definitely will help keep sugar level and weight in control. Its almost 2000 cal diet plan... Lets fight diabetes with this plan :)

What is Diabetes
Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as Diabetes Mellitus, is a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or it can be both the reasons. Patients with high blood sugar will typically experience polyuria (frequent urination), they will become increasingly thirsty (polydipsia) and hungry (polyphagia).

Disclaimer: This information is provided for general information purposes only. The materials contained within this blog do not constitute medical or pharmaceutical advice, which should be sought from qualified medical and pharmaceutical advisers. Also, the chart provided should be consulted with qualified Doctor or Nutritionist before you actually start the said diet plan. Results may vary from person to person. We do not guarantee to any results whatsoever.

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Baked Potato salad

Ingredients:

6 potatoes baked
cooked green peas 2 table spoon
1/4 t-spoon roasted cumin seeds
salt and black pepper powder to taste
1/2 lemon juice
2 table spoon finely chopped onion
1/2 t spoon olive oil
1 t-spoon chopped coriander/cilantro or Spring Onion.
Serves: 5


Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, potatoes, onions, peas, cumin powder and salt and mix well.
2. Mix Lemon juice and olive oil, black pepper in different bowl.
3. Then pour over the potatoes in a serving bowl and add lemon juice.
4. Serve and garnish with Spring Onion.

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Best Macaroni salad

Ingredients:

7 oz Macaroni
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp vinegar
1/2 tbsp sugar
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 tbsp milk
1 tbsp black olives
1/2 tbsp roasted red peppers
3 springs green onions.


Method:

1. Boil the macaroni till it’s done.

2. Then drain it.Then rinse it under cold water until it’s totally cooled down.

3. Chop up some black olives.

4. Slice up three whole green onions thinly.

5.Then grab some roasted red peppers and chop them.

6. For dressing: To half a cup of mayonnaise add some vinegar, sugar, some milk to make dressing pouring consistency.

7. Add all the above ingredients to macaroni and finally add salt and pepper to taste.

8. Refrigerate it for 30 mins and serve chilled.

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Confetti Spaghetti Salad

Ingredients:

1 pkg or 7 oz spaghetti uncooked, broken into halfs
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
Few stir fried shrimps, calamari
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 medium tomato, chopped (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup Italian dressing
2 tsp Butter
Pinch of oregano


Method:

1. Cook spaghetti as directed on pkg, adding butter and frozen mixed vegetables during last 5-7 min of cooking time; cook until vegetables are tender. Drain; rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well.
2. In a medium bowl, gently toss all ingredients to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hr to marinate blend flavors.

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Yummy Colorful veg Salad

Yummy Colorful Veg Summer Salad:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup white vinegar

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon celery seeds

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 medium cabbage, chopped

1/2 large red onion, chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, chopped

1 medium cucumber, seeds removed, chopped

1 tomato, seeds removed, chopped

4 green onions, chopped

1 tomato chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil

Method:

1.Combine the coleslaw mix and onion in a large bowl.

2. Whisk together the salad dressing, olive oil, salt, vinegar, salt in a medium bowl; blend thoroughly. Pour dressing mixture over salad mix and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours before serving.

3. Coleslaw mix can be used too instead above chopped vegetables.

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