Chapter 1 - MediterraneanSalads Are you following a Mediterranean diet in your everyday life, butdont know how to fit in healthy, quick meals on the go? Or are you simplybrowsing for some healthful lunch or side dish alternatives to the standard, tomake your meals more interesting and increase your vegetable intake? Regardless of why youre here, this book will help! In this book, you will be provided with twenty-five deliciousMediterranean salad recipes that you can use in your day to day life. Therecipes in this book work wonderfully as stand-alone meals, or they can beserved in smaller portions before or alongside your dinner. Most of thesesalads can be made, either in part or in full, ahead of time. Then all youhave to do is save them until youre ready to enjoy them! And the best partis, the recipes in this book are designed with easy to find ingredients thatarent going to break the bank or have you running all over town trying to findthem.
They are all healthy and can all be found in your local market orinternational grocery. So read on to discover why Mediterranean dieting is an excellentdecision for anyone, and how you can enjoy these tasty Mediterranean saladswith ease!
Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet
There are many reasons why the Mediterranean diet has grown inpopularity in recent years. The health benefits alone are astounding! To begin with, it is much easier to lose weight on aMediterranean diet than on other comparable diet plans. This style of eatingfocuses largely on healthful foods that are low in fats and high in proteinsand fibers, making them easy to digest and good for burning off fat as well. Also, Mediterranean dieting includes a great deal of olive oil, which is a verygood type of oil that is great for your body. Also, you are sure to have more energy when you consumeMediterranean style foods.
They are, by nature, full of protein and fiber,which translates to energy when you digest these types of foods. When it comesto lunch time, in particular, this is a great benefit to help you get throughyour work or school dayand Mediterranean salads are one of the best ways toget this natural energy boost! Last but not least, your mind will feel more focused when you eatMediterranean foods as well. These foods are full of antioxidants, nutrients,and vitamins that can help keep oxygen flowing to your brain, which means thatyou will be able to concentrate better and complete tasks much more easily whenyou enjoy Mediterranean food. No matter what youre looking to improve in your life,Mediterranean dieting can help!
Common Ingredients in Mediterranean Salads
When you want to throw a salad together quickly for your lunch orfor a side dish, make things easier for yourself by keeping these ingredientswell stocked in your kitchen. Olive oil Honey Lemon juice Oregano Thyme Crumbled feta Mixed greens Arugula Frisee lettuce Black olives Kalamata olives Plum tomatoes Canned diced tomatoes Roma tomatoes Red wine vinegar Balsamic vinegar
Chapter 2 - MeatBased Salads Salads with a meatier focus are very common in Mediterraneandieting. Give these a try when you need a little more protein!
Easy Shrimp Salad
Throw together this shrimp salad for a quick and delicious mealany time.
Serves: 4 Ingredients 5 tbsp olive oil 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp 1 cup diced plum tomatoes 1/4 cup chopped black olives 1/2 cup crumbled feta 1 tsp oregano 1 tbsp drained and rinsed capers 2 tsp lemon juice 4 tsp red wine vinegar 7oz baby greens Instructions Place oven rack on the highest position and heat broiler to high. Toss shrimp in 1 tbsp oil, then place on a baking sheet and broilfor 4 minutes. In a large bowl, combine feta, tomatoes, capers, olives, 2 tbspolive oil, oregano, 2 tsp vinegar and 1 tsp lemon juice. Toss shrimp into mixture. In a small bowl, whisk together remaining oil, vinegar, and lemonjuice.
Shrimp Melon Salad
Tangy and zippy, this salad will wake up your taste buds! Serves: 4
Ingredients 1-1/2 pound peeled and deveined shrimp Pinch of cayenne pepper 2 tbsp chopped shallots 1/4 cup olive oil Juice and zest of one lime 1 diced honeydew melon 2 heads of torn frisee 8oz crumbled feta 1 tbsp coriander seeds 1/4 cup sliced fresh mint
Instructions Season shrimp with cayenne, then cook in 2 tbsp olive overmedium-high heat in a skillet for 1 minute.
Shrimp Melon Salad
Tangy and zippy, this salad will wake up your taste buds! Serves: 4
Ingredients 1-1/2 pound peeled and deveined shrimp Pinch of cayenne pepper 2 tbsp chopped shallots 1/4 cup olive oil Juice and zest of one lime 1 diced honeydew melon 2 heads of torn frisee 8oz crumbled feta 1 tbsp coriander seeds 1/4 cup sliced fresh mint
Instructions Season shrimp with cayenne, then cook in 2 tbsp olive overmedium-high heat in a skillet for 1 minute.
Flip and add lime zest,1 tsp lime juice, and shallots; reduce heatto medium and cook 1 minute more. Whisk remaining lime juice in a small bowl with remaining oil.
Toss frisee and melon in mixture. Serve topped with shrimp, mint, feta, and coriander.
Grilled Shrimp Salad
Serve up this perfect summer salad for family get-togethers! Serves: 4
Ingredients 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 tsp smoked paprika 1-1/2 pound peeled and deveined shrimp 1-1/2 tsp honey 1/4 cup olive oil 3 wedged tomatoes 3 cups diced watermelon 1/2 torn frisee head 6oz diced feta 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes 30 sliced basil leaves
Instructions Toss shrimp in a small bowl with paprika and 2 tbsp lemon juice,then let marinate 5 minutes. Thread onto skewers and grill for 2 minutes per side.
In a small bowl, whisk together remaining lemon juice with honeyand olive oil. Toss frisee with 3 tbsp dressing in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, toss 2 tbsp dressing with tomatoes,watermelon, basil, and feta. Serve frisee topped with watermelon mixture and shrimp skewers.
Tuna Bean Salad
This hearty salad is a filling meal all on its own. Serves: 4
Ingredients 1-1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 5oz baby arugula 1 chopped clove of garlic 1-1/2 tbsp lemon juice 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 pint halved yellow teardrop tomatoes 15oz canned drained and rinsed Great Northern beans 1/2 cup chopped green olives 1 tsp grated lemon zest 4 tuna steaks
Instructions Chill arugula, covered by a damp paper towel, while preparingremaining salad.
Whisk vinegar in a small bowl with lemon juice, garlic, and allbut 1 tbsp of oil. Brush tuna with remaining 1 tbsp oil and cook in a skillet overmedium-high heat for 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, beans, olives, and lemon zest;toss with 3 tbsp dressing to coat. Toss in arugula and 5 tbsp more dressing to coat. Slice tuna and serve arugula mixture topped with tuna.
Salmon Kalamata Salad
This tasty salad is a great meal that can be prepared in verylittle time using frozen seasoned salmon.
Serves: 4 Ingredients 6 tbsp olive oil 3 tbsp white balsamic vinegar 1/3 cup minced kalamata olives 1/2 tsp grated lemon zest 1 grated clove of garlic 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes 3/4 pound quartered baby red potatoes 1/2 pound halved cherry tomatoes 1/2 pound trimmed green beans 1/2 sliced fennel bub 1/2 sliced red onion 2 cups arugula 3/4 pound frozen seasoned salmon, cooked to packaging directions