ROTD: Healthy Tomato, Basil & Corn Salad

Simple & Delicious is all that needs to be said about this amazingly fresh and Earthy salad. This can be a meal in itself or can be situated lovely alongside a piece of fresh baked chicken, sautéed fish or of course a Grilled Steak.

For those of you who want a vegetarian meal, omit the Mozzarella and another ingredient such as sliced Dried Figs or Sliced Pears they pair with this salad perfectly.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 TBS white wine vinegar

2 tsp kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

6 ears fresh corn, husked (about 4 cups corn kernels)

2 cups red or orange grape tomatoes, halved

1 bunch scallions (white and green), thinly sliced

8 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into small cubes

1 ½  cups fresh basil leaves

Directions:

Whisk the vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

Gradually whisk in the oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream, to make a smooth dressing.

Shear off the corn kernels with a sharp knife over a bowl.

Toss in the tomatoes, scallions, and mozzarella.

Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat.

Cover and let set for 15 minutes or up to 2 hours.

Before serving tear the basil over the salad and stir.

Candied Pecan & Pear Salad

With Summertime trying to make itself a distant memory we all need to start focusing on what to eat during Fall, so that by the time Winter is here, we haven’t gained any unwanted weight or bad habits in the kitchen. The best way to avoid putting on any superfluous pounds is to incorporate a few salads into your routine that aren’t packed with horrible ingredients. Keeping things simple and healthy over the next few months is crucial for people who live in areas where once the cold weather hits, there is no chance to get outside and work out. The Candied Pecans are the perfect blend of crunchy sweetness that this salad needs to keep it from being mundane.

Set your weekend off right and give this healthy, delicious salad a try tonight.

Enjoy!!!

Ingredients

Candied pecans:

2 TBS unsalted butter

2 TBS packed light brown sugar

½ cup raw pecans

Maple-balsamic dressing:

1 small shallot, finely diced

1 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tsp balsamic vinegar

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 tsp maple syrup

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 head endive, separated leaves

2 hearts frisee lettuce, hand torn

1 large radicchio, torn leaves

1 red pear, sliced

¼ cup shaved Parmesan

Directions:

To make the candied pecans, set a nonstick pan over medium heat.

Add the butter and sugar and once it has melted toss in the pecans and continue to toss to coat and cook evenly, about 1 minute.

Transfer to a sheet tray lined with waxed paper (use 2 forks to separate pecans) while you prepare the salad.

Make the dressing by combining the chopped shallot, Dijon and balsamic vinegar in a large mixing bowl. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while you whisk to emulsify.

Add the maple syrup and season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

Assemble salad by tossing greens and pear slices in a large mixing bowl with maple-balsamic dressing.

Top with shaved Parmesan and candied pecans.

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This post brought to you by NECTRESSE™Sweetener. All opinions are 100% mine.

This post brought to you by http://app.socialspark.com/disclosure_clicks?oid=8240767"rel="nofollow">NECTRESSE™Sweetener

. All opinions are 100% mine.
 

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Summer is a blessing and a curse for many people. Once the Summer Sun comes out to play, people begin to stress about having that poolside / beach perfect body ready to flaunt in front of their friends. The problem with that is, if Summer is here your already getting too late of a start. More often than not, what kills us is the time spent hibernating in the house or at work, eating and drinking the wrong things and stockpiling sugars and fats in our bodies like a bear awaiting Winter. Enter Nectresse™ Sweetener, an all natural sweetener made from deliciously healthy Monk Fruit extract, which packs Zero calories. Lisa Ling, known around the globe, for keeping people focused on the important issues at hand that plague the World, has even tried Nextresse™ and fell in love with it instantly.   “From the moment I tried http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=22863&oid=8240767" rel="nofollow">NECTRESSE™Sweetener No Calorie Sweetener, I loved it. Not only is it all-natural and calorie free, it was incredibly delicious! Made with deliciously sweet Monk Fruit extract, Nectresse™ Sweetener tastes like sugar and satisfies my sweet tooth in a way that fits my healthy lifestyle and is yummy too. In fact I love it so much that I bring it with everywhere I go. If you look inside my carry-on, you would find packets of Nectresse™ Sweetener.” – Lisa Ling stated in a recent interview about products she enjoys in her private time. Made by the manufacturers of Splenda® Sweeteners, the key ingredient in this delicious alternative to Sugar is Monk Fruit, which has been growing quietly in the remote regions of Asia for hundreds of years. http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=22865&oid=8240767"rel="nofollow">sweetener
The bottom line to it all is this: Nectresse™ Sweeteners (the only 100% Natural Sweetener) deliver a sweet taste, certain products just need to be consumed, without packing in all of the calories.  Growing up in the day and age of obesity & diabetes, many things need to be considered before even making a sweet treat. If you come from a family with a history of Diabetes, simple things many people take for granted are at the forefront of your mind (hopefully) when making your families meals. We do a tremendous amount of cooking for special diet needs clients and elderly couples that can no longer cook for themselves, but are not ready to live the rest of their lives dining on frozen dinners. In some instances these meals need to be prepared carefully in terms of salt, sugar and spice levels. http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=22863&oid=8240767" rel="nofollow">NECTRESSE™Sweetener have enabled us to provide meals that are loaded with delicious natural flavors while being incredibly healthy. For instance, we recently made a few stacks of our Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes and instead of using normal granulated sugar, we used Nectresse™ Sweetener and no one noticed any difference in the resulting product.  Check out the recipe below for our classic Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes (a fan favorite on the site) and try it out using Nectresse™ Sweetener instead. Its good to the last bite and healthy for your insides, what more do you need to be told. Click the link for the entire recipe – The Supreme Plate – Strawberry Cheesecake Pancakes. (recipe link will be included as well as photos of the product, here is the recipe for your review formatting and spacing will be corrected when uploaded to site.)
Ingredients
1 ½ cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
2 TBS seedless strawberry jam
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 ¼ cups buttermilk
1 large egg
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup granulated sugar (for a healthier lighter version, use Nectresse& trade; Sweetener)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of Kosher salt
2 cups chopped frozen cheesecake
Cooking spray
Butter, confectioners' sugar or whipped cream, for topping (optional)


Directions:
Mix the strawberries, jam and 2 tablespoons warm water in a bowl; set aside. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
Pulse the flour, buttermilk, egg, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a blender until smooth.
Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cheesecake pieces, keeping them whole.

Coat a large nonstick skillet or griddle with cooking spray and heat over medium heat.
Working in batches, pour about 1/4 cup batter into the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbly on top, about 4 minutes, then flip and cook until the other side is golden brown, about 2 more minutes.

Transfer the finished pancakes to a baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. Serve the pancakes topped with the strawberry sauce; top with butter, confectioners' sugar or whipped cream, if desired.

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Check out the video Lisa Ling is sharing with her fans and friends about her newfound love for Nectresse™ as well as check out their website for your own free sample. http://app.socialspark.com/clicks?lid=22867&oid=8240767"
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Light & Easy, Lobster Po' Boy Sandwich

The taste of fresh seafood awakens my senses, almost to the point that I can never really get enough of it. Of course I won’t sit here and say I am the biggest seafood eating monster on the planet, because there are still a few things that I just wont or cant bring myself to consume (at least not without a bunch of strong drinks.) But Lobster, the lovable little non huggable creatures they are, well to me they can do no wrong. From serving them broiled with lemon and drawn butter to frying them up for a po’ boy sandwich it can be said, these babies are versatile.

Enough with the talking though and let us get down to the nitty gritty. Today we are showing you how to make a delicious Lobster Po’ Boy w/o frying it, so you don’t have to feel guilty or clean up an extra mess. 

Get to cooking those lobsters so you can enjoy these sandwiches ASAP.

(click read more for the entire recipe)