Gluten free noodle salad

Living with out gluten does not mean going with out some of my favorites.  This is a twist on a salad my Mother made.  Adding some great vegetables your family likes, with a nice Italian dressing makes a quick and easy salad. 

Fresh cut red bell peppers 

Sliced cucumber

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Carrots

green or kalamata olives

capers

Fresh ground salt and pepper.

And your favorite noodles. 

My family is gluten free and my favorite noodle is Brown rice Noodles. 

For the dressing you may use a store bought Italian or make your at home.

A simple dressing recipe would be

Vinegar

Oil

salt and pepper

Parsley

Oregano

garlic

and any other spices you may like to add. 

Add in to your salad as you like.

                  

This salad is easy to make adjustments to by adding in your favorite vegetables.  It serves cold and tastes great. 

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Kale Quinoa Salad

Yes I have turned into that mom, the mom that hides things in foods so my kids get something with nutrients.  This morning I made steel cut oatmeal and added a spoon of pumpkin.  Both my boys looked at the orange color and pushed it away. I finally got them to try it and they did like it (or at least ate most of it).  Salads are a struggle, they eat iceberg lettuce with out any other add in's, smothered in ranch.   The iceberg salad is a good stand by, but I really am looking for more in a salad these days, especially as I am changing how my family eats.  We are trying to go gluten free and my daughter feeling we should eat less meat.  This brought on 3 vegetarian days a week.  When my boys only eat white foods i.e. chicken nuggets, fries, white bread, cheese, and pizza, not really the diet I am aiming for,it makes dinner planning a challenge.  Here's one that is gluten free and vegetarian.

This salad has kale which is great for boosting you immunity with a large amount of vitamin K, A, and C.  It does have a bitter flavor so I was not sure I would like this salad, but I was wrong.  My kids eat it too.  Because it is very dark green, it packs more nutrients.

Kale chopped small,
Quinoa 1/4cup +/-
Seeds, I like Pumpkin
Dried cherries, or  craisens.
hazelnuts or almonds.
Balsamic vinaigrette:
2oz Balsamic vinegar
4oz Olive oil
1tsp sugar
Salt and pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder


Mix thoroughly and top with goat cheese and butternut squash. New seasons has squash frozen in cubes,it makes it easy to add to this salad.

Quinoa can be prepared just like rice.  I add it in my rice cooker 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water.  I like to replace half the water with vegetable broth.

I am linked at http://tessadomesticdiva.blogspot.com/2012/03/allergy-free-wednesdays-7.html

Sweet Potato Recipe

New years resolutions are here and in my effort to keep to mine, eating healthy, I am always on the look out for tasty recipe's.  I found a similar recipe on Martha Stewart.com for this sweet potato and Brussels sprout dish.  I made my own adjustments from what I had in the pantry.  Here is what I used:
1 sweet potato
6 Brussels sprouts
8 sliced dried shittake mushrooms
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
Unsalted butter to taste
raisins sparingly
spoon of pumpkin seeds

Costco has had great produce and I picked up the best looking Brussels sprouts I have seen.  They also carry dried shittake mushroom's and I like to use their sea salt and pepper grinders.
Place the sweet potato in the microwave for about 6 minutes.  Half the Brussels sprouts and soak in cold water and salt for 5 minutes with mushrooms.  Towel dry and place in skillet with oil to saute on medium low heat for 10 minutes.  Add in salt and pepper place in sweet potato, sprinkle on raisins and seeds.  

This is a great vegetarian and gluten free lunch.  Since I have chosen to go gluten free this year with my kids, I have to get creative. 

In the book Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld she gives descriptions and details on healthy foods.  Sweet potato's help regulate blood sugar levels, add fiber and they are good for skin, eyes, and are rich in beta carotene and antioxidants.  I have also heard sweet potatoes are a super food to fight against cancer.

Deceptively Delicious, Jessica Seinfeld, Published by Collins 2007

Shittake mushrooms are also great for antioxidants, amino acids and omega 3+6.

I am linked at http://tessadomesticdiva.blogspot.com/2012/03/allergy-free-wednesdays-7.html