Spinach Salad with Red Pepper Hummus Dressing

Like Hummus? Why not put it on a salad instead of in a pita?

For the salad:
16 oz. bag baby spinach
1 c. baby portabello mushrooms, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, julienned
1/2 yellow bell pepper, julienned
1 can black olives
1/2 purple onion, chopped

For the dressing:
1 c. roasted red pepper hummus*
1/4 c. balsamic vinegar
water for thinning

*Buy or make your own by blending:
1 c. cooked chickpeas
1/4 c. tahini
juice of 1 lemon
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 red bell pepper, roasted & peeled
salt to taste

To your health and happiness,
Hailey

Island Grill

Rumbi's is a restaurant franchise in my neck of the woods which features a paradise of Asian flavors. A nutritarian version would be perfect for a buffet party this month. Guest can build a salad or rice bowl from the selections below. The secret is having several intense sauces. I've included recipes for my favorites: Sweet Orange Ginger, Teriyaki, Coconut Chili, and Creamy Peanut. The amounts are easily doubled or halved.

Build the meal with these choices:
Leafy Greens
Brown Rice
Grilled Tofu
Black Beans
Mandarin Oranges
Cilantro
Pea Pods
Tomatoes Slices
Bell Pepper Strips
Mango chunks
Carrot shreds
Pineapple tidbits

Sweet Orange Ginger Sauce
2 c. orange-peach-mango juice
1/2 c. Nama Shoyu, Tamari or Braggs Liquid Aminoes
1/4 c. rice vinegar
2 Tb.cornstarch
1 Tb. fresh ginger, grated
1 mango, peeled and cubed
In a small saucepan, whisk together all ingredients except mango. Heat just to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in mango.

Teriyaki Sauce
1 c. Braggs Liquid Aminoes, Nama Shoyu, or Tamari
1 c. water
1/4 c honey, agave nectar, maple syrup or coconut sugar
2 Tb. minced garlic
1 c. pineapple juice
3 Tb. grated ginger
2 Tb. cornstarch
Whisk together ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat just to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat.

Coconut Chili Sauce
1 can (14 oz.) thick coconut milk
1 Tb. Roasted Red Chili Paste (or to taste)
Combine and serve.

Creamy Peanut Sauce
1 c. orange juice
2 Tb. lime juice
1/4 c. rice vinegar
1/4 c. peanut butter
1/4 c. tahini
1 Tb. Braggs Liquid Aminos, Tamari, or Nama Shoyu
1 clove garlic
1" of fresh ginger
Blend until smooth.

To your health and happiness,
Hailey

I Used to Eat Peanut Butter

But now I enjoy Tahini (sesame seed paste) even more! Tahini is less allergenic than nut butters, has a high calcium content, has less fat, and is really inexpensive and easy to make. Here's how:

Pour a single layer of seeds into a dry skillet and heat on a medium low setting, stirring occasionally, until seeds have a golden roasted color.

Pour the seeds into a food processor and add 2 Tb. olive oil for every cup of seeds. Process until smooth. If it seems too dry, add more oil.

Use it like peanut butter - on pitas, toast, celery - or use to make hummus. You can also add lemon juice, garlic and soy sauce to it to make a dressing for salads, noodles, grains or vegetables.

To your health and happiness,
Hailey

Banana Burrito

I couldn't help it! I planned to do just one recipe each week, but this one was so fun, I just had to share it.

Start with several large green leaves from Romaine or green leaf lettuce. Spread each with a smear of almond butter or sesame tahini. Add bananas, cut lengthwise, then bell pepper slices, and sprouts (my favorite are sunflower). Roll and eat!

To your health and happiness,
Hailey