We all know that cooking your food at home is better for your health and wallet. When people say they don’t have time to cook dinner by the time they come home, I usually ask them how long it actually takes to mix lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes with feta and olives. It actually takes less time than to order a take-out or delivery. You don’t have to come up with crazy recipes, it can be simple as 1-2-3, and in the end you have a fresh, healthy and low-cal dinner in minutes.
When I buy groceries for the week I always grab 1-2 packs of baby spinach, kale or arugula. This is a good base for so many salad recipes. Add other vegetables like avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and throw in protein such as feta cheese, chicken breast, shrimp, nut, tofu, sausage. Top with your favorite dressing or simple drizzle with olive oil and balsamic. Voila, you have a nutritious and healthy dinner. If you have any leftovers after dinner, put them in the fridge and eat in the morning with a boiled or poached egg on top. So simple!
So, let’s bring it on. Tonight is a #saladnight This salad is I would say for Level 2 “home chefs”, requires a bit more time to prep the dressing, but nonetheless it’s only 30 min of cooking. Avocados, greens and shrimp make it a perfectly balanced meal (check the nutrition label below) and oh god! this is delicious. Fresh dressing with bell peppers and lemon juice adds a refreshing and subtly spicy notes (hence jalapeno).
One last tip before we get to the recipe is how to buy the right shrimp. Please try to buy local, ideally wild caught. Avoid at all cost shrimp from Thailand, China, Vietnam, etc. This one is no good for you. It usually contains so many chemicals, that it doesn’t make any sense to eat it. Add here horrible conditions in which the shellfish is farmed and slave labor that is known to be used there. If you are in the U.S. opt our for a local wild caught pink or white shrimp from Florida, organic farm-raised. Local farm are highly regulated, and it’s a safer choice. The price usually is comparable. Since I live in Florida I always buy local pink or white uncooked shrimp.
I recommend reading “Real food, fake food” by Larry Olmsted to learn more on how to buy healthy and safe shellfish and many more.
After all we are what we eat, and nowadays it is more like – we are what our food eats. Stay healthy and enjoy the recipe!
Refreshing shrimp salad with avocado and home made red goddess dressing. Wine pairing: French Rose wine.
