Barley Summer Salad

Barley Summer Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Makes: 8 cups
Serving Size 3/4 cup

Ingredients

1 cup dry barley
3 cups water
1⁄4 cup dried cranberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup sweet snap peas, chopped
2 cups apples or another fresh fruit or veggie, chopped (about 1 1/3 medium apples [3” diameter])
1⁄2 cup red bell pepper, seeded and chopped (about 1 small pepper)
1⁄2 cup green onions, sliced thin
1 Tablespoon vinegar
3 Tablespoons oil
1⁄4 cup lemon or lime juice

Directions

1. Place barley and water in a 2 or 3 quart saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn to low. Cook covered for 45 minutes.
2. Rinse cooked barley briefly in cold water. Drain.
3. Add remaining Ingredients. Toss well.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Substitute different fruits and vegetables in season.
• Add nuts or seeds for added protein

Fish Taco Salad

Fish Taco Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Ingredients

2 pounds fish fillets (try cod, tilapia, snapper or others)
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
2 cups shredded cabbage or lettuce
2 cups chopped vegetables (try tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, corn, green onions, celery, avocado)
1⁄2 cup low-fat ranch dressing
1⁄2 cup salsa

Directions

1. Season fish with salt and pepper. Cook by your favorite method until it appears opaque and flakes apart easily (see Notes).
2. Mix cabbage or lettuce with other vegetables of your choice. Add chunks of fish. Drizzle with ranch dressing and salsa.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Cook fish:
  • In a Skillet - Spray or lightly oil a skillet.  Add seasoned fish and cook over medium heat (300 degrees in an electric skillet) until flesh starts to appear white.  Turn fish over and cook until it flakes easily.
  • In the Oven - Put seasoned fish in a baking pan and cover with foil. Bake in a 350 degree oven until fish flakes.
  • Under a Broiler - Place seasoned fish on a broiler pan.  Broil several inches from the heat until the fish is opaque throughout and flakes easily.
  • To make tacos instead of salad: Warm tortillas. Layer cabbage or lettuce, vegetables of your choice, and fish on the tortilla. Drizzle with ranch dressing and salsa. Fold in half.

Rice Salad

Rice Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice, cooled
1⁄4 cup chopped celery
1 apple, chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
1⁄4 cup raisins
2 Tablespoons chopped almonds
1⁄2 cup low-fat plain yogurt
2 teaspoons orange juice
2 teaspoons sugar

Directions

1. Combine rice, celery, apple, raisins, and almonds in a medium bowl and mix well.
2. Combine yogurt, orange juice, and sugar and stir until sugar dissolves.
3. Pour the yogurt mixture over the rice mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Add any of your favorite fruits for variety.
• Make this a whole grain recipe by using brown rice instead of white rice

Orange Rice Salad

Orange Rice Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 5 cups
Serving Size 2/3 cup
Chill Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

2 cups cooked, cooled brown rice
1⁄2 cup celery, diced
3⁄4 cup raisins or other dried fruit
1⁄4 cup chopped nuts
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 Tablespoon orange juice or vinegar
1⁄4 cup parsley, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried parsley
3 green onions, washed and thinly sliced
1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges with juice
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper

Directions

1. Mix all Ingredients together in medium-sized bowl.
2. Chill for an hour to allow flavors to blend.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Try adding 2/3 cup diced green peppers or other crunchy vegetables.

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 5 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

3 cans (5 ounces each) tuna in water, drained
1 cup carrot, peeled and coarsely grated (about 2 medium carrots)
2 cups diced cucumber
1 1⁄2 cups peas, canned and drained or thawed from frozen
3⁄4 cup low-fat Italian salad dressing

Directions

1. Place drained tuna in a medium bowl. Use a fork to break apart chunks of tuna.
2. Add carrot, cucumber, peas and salad dressing. Mix well.
3. Serve immediately or make ahead, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Serve on lettuce leaves or make sandwiches with whole wheat or pocket (pita) bread.

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 4 cups
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

2 medium cucumbers, chopped
2 medium roma tomatoes, chopped
1⁄4 cup low fat mayonnaise
1⁄4 cup low fat sour cream
2 Tablespoons dry dill weed

Directions

1. Combine cucumbers and tomatoes in a bowl.
2. Stir mayonnaise, sour cream and dill weed together.
3. Stir sauce into vegetables.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Use fresh chopped cilantro instead of dill.
• Add 2 cups of thinly sliced radishes.

Zucchini Salad

Zucchini Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

1 teaspoon oil
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1⁄4 teaspoon dried oregano or basil
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
5 cups zucchini rounds (about 4 small zucchini)
1⁄2 cup red or sweet onion (sliced thinly or chopped small)
1⁄4 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Mix oil, lemon juice, oregano or basil, salt and pepper together in large bowl.
2. Add zucchini, onion and cheese. Mix gently. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Freeze extra lemon juice to use later.

Waldorf Salad

Waldorf Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup 

Ingredients

1⁄3 cup walnuts, chopped
2 apples, cored and diced
1 cup celery, diced
1⁄2 cup raisins
1⁄4 cup non-fat plain yogurt
1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Place chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and bake for 12-15 minutes. Stir occasionally until they are evenly toasted.
3. Combine apples, celery, nuts, and raisins.
4. Stir together yogurt, sugar, and lemon juice. Pour over apple mixture and toss lightly.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Serve this dish with a whole-wheat roll for a hearty meal.
• Freeze extra lemon juice to use later.

Tropical Carrot Salad

Tropical Carrot Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

2 cups shredded carrots (2 to 3 carrots)
1 cup unsweetened pineapple tidbits, drained
3⁄4 cup raisins
1⁄4 cup low-fat mayonnaise or low-fat plain yogurt
1⁄4 cup sunflower seeds or slivered almonds

Directions

1. In a medium serving bowl, combine carrots, pineapple and raisins.
2. Stir in mayonnaise or yogurt and nuts or seeds. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Save leftover pineapple and juice in the refrigerator for a few days, or freeze for longer storage.
• Leftover pineapple can be used in smoothies, fruit salads and more. See FoodHero.org for recipes.

Summer Cucumbers

Summer Cucumbers

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

5 cups sliced cucumbers
1⁄2 cup sliced red onion
1⁄2 teaspoon salt
1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar

Directions

1. Combine cucumbers, onion, salt, black pepper and vinegar together.
2. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Radish and Cucumber Salad

Radish and Cucumber Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 3/4 cup
Chill Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1⁄4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1⁄4 teaspoon garlic powder
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
10 radishes, washed and thinly sliced (about 1 bunch)
1 cucumber, washed and cut into thin rounds

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together yogurt, garlic, salt and pepper. Add radishes and cucumbers and stir to combine.
2. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Makes: 9 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

SALAD
1 cup quinoa (dry)
2 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
3 large celery stalks, diced
1 large red bell pepper, seeded and diced
3 green onions, sliced
3 Tablespoons minced parsley

DRESSING
1⁄2 cup rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons water
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Directions

1. Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh wire strainer under running water for 1 minute.
2. Bring the water or broth and quinoa to a boil in a 2-3 quart saucepan. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Refrigerate until cool.
3. Meanwhile, combine all the vegetables in a salad bowl.
4. In a small bowl, mix together the dressing Ingredients. Add to the vegetables.
5. Add quinoa and stir gently to combine.
6. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Potato Salad

Potato Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes: 10 servings
Serving Size 3/4 cup

Ingredients

6 cups cooked potatoes, cubed into bite-sized pieces (about 6 small potatoes)
1 1⁄2 cups chopped celery (about 3 stalks)
1⁄4 cup chopped onion (1⁄4 medium onion)
1⁄4 cup sliced black olives
1⁄2 cup light mayonnaise
1⁄2 cup non-fat, plain yogurt
1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 Tablespoon sugar

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, vinegar and sugar.
2. Add cooked potatoes, celery, onion and olives and stir to coat evenly.
3. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• For extra flavor and crunch, add ¼ cup chopped dill or sweet pickles.
• Try using sweet onions, which have a mild flavor even when raw.

Kiwi Pineapple Slaw

Kiwi Pineapple Slaw

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 8 servings
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

1 cup pineapple in juice, undrained
3 cups cabbage, finely shredded (1/2 head)
1 1⁄2 cups kiwi, peeled and chopped (about 3 medium kiwi)
1⁄2 cup celery, chopped (about 1 stalk)
1⁄4 cup raisins
1⁄4 cup light mayonnaise

Directions

1. Drain pineapple, reserving 3 Tablespoons juice. Cut pinepple into bite-sized pieces, if needed.
2. Combine drained pineapple, cabbage, kiwi, celery, and raisins in a large bowl.
3. Stir reserved pineapple juice into mayonnaise until smooth. Add to cabbage mixture, tossing gently.
4. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Fruit and Nut Slaw

Fruit and Nut Slaw

Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes: 8 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

5 cups thinly sliced cabbage (about 1 1/2 pounds or 1⁄2 small head – try a mix of red and green)
1⁄2 cup dried fruit (cranberries or raisins work well)
1 carrot, washed, peeled and grated
1⁄3 cup vinegar
2 Tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
3⁄4 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
2 1⁄4 cups thinly sliced apples
1⁄4 cup chopped nuts, toasted

Directions

1. Mix cabbage, dried fruit and carrots in a large bowl.
2. In small bowl, mix vinegar, sugar, oil, salt and pepper.
3. Pour vinegar mixture over cabbage mixture.
4. Add apple and nuts just before serving. Mix well.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Cauliflower Salad

Cauliflower Salad

Prep time: 20 minutes
Makes: 10 servings
Serving Size 1/2 cup

Ingredients

4 cups mixed cauliflower and broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
1 cup celery, diced
1⁄2 cup onion, diced
1⁄4 cup sweet bell pepper, any color
1⁄3 cup lite mayonnaise
1⁄3 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
1⁄8 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1⁄4 teaspoon dried dill weed

Directions

1. Thaw frozen cauliflower and broccoli and drain liquid. If using fresh vegetables, cook first until barely tender.
2. Combine cauliflower, broccoli, celery, onion and bell pepper in serving bowl.
3. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, salt, pepper and dill.
4. Stir dressing gently into salad. Chill before serving.
5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Bell Pepper Salad

Bell Pepper Salad

Prep time: 5 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

4 bell peppers
1⁄2 medium onion
2 1⁄2 Tablespoons vinegar
1 Tablespoon oil
1⁄8 teaspoon salt and pepper

Directions

1.  Wash bell peppers and remove tops and seeds. Cut into ¼-inch thick strips. Peel onion and slice into thin strips.
2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together vinegar, oil, salt and pepper.  Add bell pepper and onion and gently stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Beet and Carrot Salad

Beet and Carrot Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Makes: 4 servings
Serving Size 2/3 cup

Ingredients

1 carrot, sliced thin or coarsely grated
1⁄4 cup minced fresh onion
2 Tablespoons light mayonnaise
1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1 Tablespoon chopped cilantro (optional)
1 3⁄4 cups beets (bite sized pieces), cooked from fresh or canned/drained

Directions

1. Cook carrots (if desired) until just tender. Try microwave or steaming.
2. In a medium bowl, combine onion, mayonnaise, salt, pepper and cilantro, if desired. Add beets and carrots and stir to coat evenly. Serve warm or cold.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Tomato Pasta Salad

Tomato Pasta Salad

Prep time: 15 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

4 cups cooked rotini noodles
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1 cup chopped broccoli
1⁄4 cup sliced black olives
2 teaspoons dry Italian herbs
2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
8 ounces low-fat Italian salad dressing (about 1 cup)

Directions

1. Combine the cooked noodles, tomatoes, broccoli and black olives together in a bowl.
2. Add the herbs, cheese and salad dressing. Stir together and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Summer Vegetable and Pasta Salad

Summer Vegetable and Pasta Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Makes: 6 servings
Serving Size 1 cup

Ingredients

3 cups uncooked whole wheat pasta
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 cup peeled and diced cucumber
1 cup sliced summer squash
3⁄4 cup Italian salad dressing

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water. Place in large bowl.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
3. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

• Use any colorful vegetables you have on hand. Try carrots, cherry tomatoes, green onions or frozen peas.
• Flavor boosters: 1 cup diced, cooked chicken or ham; 1 cup garbanzo beans.