Bean and Veggie Salad

Bean and Veggie Salad
Today, there are plenty of weight-loss strategies in market and they guarantee a quick weight loss. I too got carried away in one such weight loss diet and started to follow. After one day it became nearly impossible for me to stay on the diet and I gave up. The problem is they are too specific to what to eat and how much to eat and don't take into account of individual preferences and lifestyles and our likes and dislikes. More restriction on food made me craving for it. You won't believe only one day I tried the same night I got dreams only on food. Changing the eating habits overnight did not work for me so I gave up the next day, but now I planned to make small changes by taking lots of vegetables and fruits instead of one full meal and I am taking time to give up my bad food habits :-) hope I'll stick to this. Today's recipe is "Bean and Veggie Salad" with lots of vegetables and bean.

Ingredients:
Red Kidney Bean - 1/2 cup soaked for 6 hrs and boiled or use canned.
Roma Tomato - 1 chopped
Celery ribs - 2 sliced
Zucchini - 1 cup sliced
Green Onion - 1/2 cup sliced
Bell Pepper - 1/2 cup Chopped

Dressing:
Olive Oil - 2 tsp
Lime Juice - 1tsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Salt to taste
Feta Cheese - 1 tsp

Method:
In a bowl combine all the ingredients. In a separate small bowl combine olive oil, lime juice, sugar and salt and mix until the sugar is dissolved. Pour over bean mixture and gently stir to coat. Add the feta cheese and toss and serve chilled.

Asian Green Beans Salad

Asian Green Beans Salad
I was bored of having the same cold salad everyday so tried this different warm green beans salad and surprisingly it was tasty. Adding the ginger and garlic gave more flavour and finally adding the soy sauce gave the asian touch and tasted to the best. It is a must try salad.

Ingredients
Green Beans - 1/2 lb trimmed
Garlic - 4 cloves minced
Ginger mined - 1 tsp
Chili Garlic sauce - 1/2 tsp (can substitute with chili flakes)
Soy Sauce - 1 tsp (I used low sodium)
Oil - 1tsp

Method
Microwave the beans in high temperature for 3 to 4 mins.Heat oil in a non-stick skillet and add the garlic, ginger and saute for few mins and add the chili garlic sauce and add the cooked beans and mix. Now add the soy sauce and toss until the soy sauce is well coated and serve warm.

BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALAD

BLACK BEAN AND CORN SALAD

Makes 4 main or 6 side servings

3 cups cooked black beans, drained
3 ears of sweet corn, blanched, kernels cut from the cob (or 3 cups frozen)
1/4 medium red onion, diced
1 serrano pepper, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
Juice from 2 limes
3 Tbsp olive oil
salt to taste

Combine the beans, corn, onion and serrano pepper in a large bowl and mix together.

Add the lime juice and olive oil and mix well. Add the oregano and cilantro and mix once more. Season to taste with salt.

If possible, let the salad stand for a few hours before serving so the flavors can combine. Serve at room temperature for the best flavor.