*Yummy Carrot Salad

Salads

..........For me salads are a healthy addition to our diet. Normally a Green salad is low in calories, low in fats and nutritionally very rich but the addition of wrong ingredients can make it unhealthy. Salads are often neglected in our diets,they should be an integral part of our meals,. A salad can even make a healthy low calorie meal by itself with the combination of proper ingredients.

These are some ways you can make your salads nutritionally rich:

Instead of using canned and frozen vegetables,use fresh fruits and vegetables (including green leafy vegetables).

Instead of the adding too much salad dressings which are high in calories and fat , ust squeeze a fresh lime juice and put in some herbs like basil which improve the flavour of the salad.

Avoid adding croutons and other extra toppings, instead add some nuts or flax seeds which make a better nutritional choice.

Cheese are a rich source of Calcium and Protein,so just take care on how much cheese you are using. Adding too much of cheese adds many extra calories.
(Source: About.com)

You can make a variety of salads, try adding a different healthy ingredients every time you make a salad.

Here's a salad recipe for you.

Carrot Salad

Ingredients

• Grated carrot- 2 cups
• Olive oil- 1 tsp
• Green chillies- 2, cut into small pieces
• Cilantro/Coriander, finely chopped- 1 tbsp
• Curry leaves- 3-4
• Lime juice- 2 tsp
• Mustard seeds- 1-2 tsp
• Turmeric powder- 1 tsp
• Salt to taste

Method

• Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.Once they splutter add curry leaves and green chillies.
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• Then add grated carrot,turmeric powder and salt (add very little).Cook for about a minute not much.
  
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• Put off the flame and add lime juice. Mix again.
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• Garnish it with cilantro and serve.
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• See, its so easy.Salad is ready.

Serves 2

** Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidant compounds, and the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. Carrots' antioxidant compounds help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer and also promote good vision, especially night vision.
(Source WHFoods.org)

I am sending this yummy carrot salad recipe to JFI - Carrots hosted by The Cooker.

*Sprouted Green gram Salad

Sprouted Green gram Salad

According to Wikipedia, Salad is a mixture of cold foods, usually including vegetables and/or fruits, often with a dressing, occasionally nuts or croutons.Salad is often served as an appetizer before a larger meal. The word "salad" comes from the French salade of the same meaning, which in turn is from the Latin salata, "salty", from sal, "salt".

There are different types of salads that we can make. Talking about salad, this is one salad which I make regularly. Sprouted green gram with the addition of vegetables makes this salad very nutritious. Its easy and quick to make at the same time very tasty. I just love this salad.

Some facts about sprouts:
(link)

Nutrient packed sprouts have higher biological efficiency and are easy to digest than whole seeds. Here are few of sprouting advantages:

• Enzymes are activated.
• Proteins convert to free amino acids.
• Starches change to simple sugars.
• Minerals combine to increase assimilation.
• Vitamin content increases from 3 to 12 or more times.
• Chlorophyll and carotene content increase dramatically when exposed to sunlight.
• Home-grown sprouts are remarkably inexpensive.
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Ingredients

• Sprouted Green gram 1 1/2 -2 cups
• Tomato 1 large (finely chopped)
• Capsicum 1 medium (finely chopped)
• Onion 1 small,finely chopped (I did not add onions,but it tastes good)
• Lime juice 1 tbsp
  
• Cilantro/Coriander 3 tbsp (finely chopped)
• Red chilli powder 2 tsp
• Salt to taste (optional)
  

(Note: You can vary the quantity of the ingredients according to your liking.Avoid salt if you can.)

Method

• Mix all the ingredients in a bowl,except salt.
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• Salt is optional,if you want add salt when serving the salad.

Note: Start your meal with a salad rather than eating it along with or after your meal.

Serves 2

I am sending this salad to Jolen's Culinary Adventures in Cyberspace as a part of the Salad Spinnin' event.

This salad is also my entry to No Croutons Required event hosted by Lisa .

*Strawberry-Mango salad

Strawberry-Mango salad

Here is one more recipe which will definately refresh you in this heat of summer. Presenting Strawberry-Mango salad............

Strawberry is the most popular berry fruit in the world.It is a rich source of vitamin C. They are also high in fiber, folate, potassium and antioxidants.Its juiciness and the deep red color improves the taste and appearance of the recipe. Mango,the king of all fruits is loved by one and all.Besides being delicious,it is rich in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants and it also contains an enzyme with stomach soothing properties.

When I first heard about this salad,I was very doubtful about it,many questions popped into my mind.But I wanted to try it as I like experimenting with food and I have never had any recipe like this before. So I searched the recipe for strawberry mango salad in the web,there were so many different recipes.I took some ideas from those recipes and finally personalized this recipe according to my taste.I was eagerly waiting to taste the salad so that I could clear my doubts and believe me it was so yummy.......so tasty.......so refreshing. Just thought to share it with you all.

I, myself am not a big fan of mangoes,but if it is served like this who wouldn't love to eat it!!!!!!! So what are you waiting for......try this thoda sweet,thoda spicy and thoda tangy (sour) salad at home.


Ingredients

• Strawberries (stemmed and chopped) 1 cup
• Mango (peeled,seeded and chopped) 1 cup
• Olive oil 1/2 tsp (optional)
• Fresh lemon juice 1 tbsp
• Chopped Cilantro(corainder) 1 tbsp
• Red chili powder/red pepper 1/2 tsp
• Cumin seeds powder 1tsp
• Salt to taste

Method

• In a bowl take all the above ingredients,except oil and salt.Mix well.
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• Once they mix thoroughly,toss with salt and olive oil and mix again.
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• Strawberry-Mango salad is now ready.
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• Serve immediately or refrigerate it covered for some time to enjoy a cool salad.(I prefer to refrigerate it for some time)

Serves 2

I am sending this recipe to ARF/5-A-Day event hosted by Cate of Sweetnicks.

This recipe is also making its way to the WBB#22 - May Mango Madness event hosted by Arundati of Escapades.