I have often seen folks on a diet eat such bland food that in just a few days they quit and get back to eating their regular heavy meals. You don't have to subject yourself to bland meals just to keep yourself healthy. Yes, the doctor might have ordered raw and steamed veggies, but with the tiniest effort, this can be transformed into a gourmet dish that you will actually enjoy.
I worked really hard on the meals I served for my hubby. Like most men in the gulf, he had his share of health issues. The consequences of these were pretty scary and I really didn't want him popping pills for the rest of his life. So both of us put in hours of research and decided to go head on with eating right and putting in the a few hours of exercise each day. Ok, that exercise bit he really does, but getting me anywhere close to a gym is going to take a while! Hey, tomorrow is another day isn't it folks!
So I dedicate this recipe to those of you who are lazy like me to hit the gym, but can at least try in the smallest way to eating right! This recipe is really high in Vitamin C, boosts your immunity levels and both Broccoli and Bell Peppers properties that fights cancer on various fronts.
Ingredients
1 cup Broccoli florets
1 cup french beans
1 Red bell pepper cut into strips (any colour bell pepper is fine)
5-6 sweet cherry tomatoes (either you keep this whole or cut it in half)
For the Dressing
5-6 cloves garlic finely minced (please don't sub with store bought garlic paste)
1 tbsp Mustard paste
3 tbsps Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 tbsps freshly squeezed Lemon juice
1 pinch (or more) freshly crushed black pepper
Salt as per your taste
Steam the broccoli and French beans until tender to the touch. Place the steamed veggies and cherry tomatoes in a salad bowl. Mix all the dressing ingredients in a mason jar (or any container with a lid), close it and shake it well. Add the dressing to the veggies and toss to mix it well. Check the seasoning and adjust the levels of the salt and pepper.
This is eaten as a cold salad, but if you prefer it warm, you can eat it in that way as well, just make sure you add the dressing just before serving it in order to avoid it going soggy.
Share your version of my salad and don't forget #saffronbowl