Seven +/- Layer Salad

Seven +/- Layer Salad
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Servings
4
Servings
4
Seven +/- Layer Salad
Print Recipe
Servings
4
Servings
4
Ingredients
Light Balsamic Dressing
Servings:
Instructions
  1. In a deep glass bowl layer the ingredients beginning with the farro. Layer them at your whim, but aim for appealing color combinations. The only sort of rule is to end with the olives and tomatoes, but again that's up to you.
  2. Combine the dressing ingredients in a small jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake well until everything has blended together.
  3. Pour the dressing over the layered salad. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours or as long as overnight.
  4. When ready to serve, top with the shredded cheese. Sprinkle with a few fresh herbs if that tickles your fancy, and serve.
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Farro with Vegetables and Chicken Italian Sausage

How farro will you go to put a healthy and quick meal on the table? A little chicken Italian sausage, some fresh vegetables and a good bit if farro and about 30 minutes and you will be serving dinner with pride.DIGITAL CAMERA

Once upon a time farro was only found outside of Italy in gourmet restaurants and little Italian markets. You don’t have to go all the way to Italy to get Farro any more. It’s now available in many grocery stores and markets. DIGITAL CAMERA

This ancient Italian grain is an early form of wheat that has recently become one of the “it” ingredients. There is a lot of confusion about Farro. There are 3 kinds that differ in taste and cooking technique. Farro Medio (a.k.a. emmer) is the most common type. It’s also the easiest to cook. Whatever kind of farro you buy, follow the directions on the package to get the best results. I like my farro on the softer side of toothsome. If you like a chewier bite, experiment with the cooking time until it’s just right.

I’ve been using Meijer Naturals Italian Farro . I cook the whole 8.5 ounce package and use the extras for hot breakfast cereal, salads, or side dishes. Yes, it is that versatile. I love this stuff! I’ve been known to stand in front of the refrigerator eating it cold. Use this recipe as a springboard to you own farro nirvana.

Farro with Vegetables and Chicken Italian Sausage
Print Recipe
Servings
2
Servings
2
Farro with Vegetables and Chicken Italian Sausage
Print Recipe
Servings
2
Servings
2
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Bring the Chicken broth to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the farro, garlic and onion powder and bring back to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook uncovered until the farro is toothsomely tender and the broth is almost absorbed. This should take 15 - 20 minutes.
  2. Heat a large fry pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes or so until it begins to soften.
  3. Add the sausage and mushrooms to the pan and cook for another 3 minutes.
  4. Add the peppers, zucchini and garlic to the pan. Cook everything for about 4 minutes. If the mixture seems a little dry, steal a bit of broth from the farro pan to keep things moving.
  5. Add approximately 2-1/2 cups of the farro and any remaining broth to the fry pan (save the rest of the farro for another meal). Cook over low heat for a few minutes stirring occasionally to bring things together.
  6. Add the herbs and half of the cheese. Stir until the cheese is melted. Serve topped with the rest of the cheese.
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Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed Peppers
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Servings
4
Servings
4
Stuffed Peppers
Print Recipe
Servings
4
Servings
4
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Heat the 1-3/4 cups of vegetable stock to boiling in a small sauce pan. Add the rice and stir. Return to boil and cover. Reduce heat and simmer for 35 - 45 minutes. Stock should be absorbed and rice should be fairly tender. Cool slightly and place in a large bowl.
  2. Quarter the zucchini lengthwise and slice thinly. Coarsely chop onion and mushrooms. Set aside with the minced garlic.
  3. Heat a medium fry pan and add the olive oil. Swirl to cover the bottom of the pan. Add the onion and cook and stir for about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook and stir for 2 minutes more.
  4. Add the zucchini and garlic to the pan and cook for 4 minutes or so. The vegetables should be slightly soft and just beginning to brown. Remove from the heat and add to the rice in the bowl.
  5. Slice the tomatoes into small pieces and add to the bowl.
  6. Roughly chop or crumble the meatloaf and add to the bowl. If you are using another protein, chop it into small bite-sized pieces. Add to the bowl. Stir the ingredients to mix. Add the 1/2 cup of stock and stir once more. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  7. Slice the peppers in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and white membranes. Spray a medium casserole with non-stick spray. Place the pepper halves in the pan cut side up. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  8. Divide the mixture between the 4 pepper halves, packing lightly. Spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the marinara on top of each filled pepper. Cover tightly with foil and place in the oven. Bake for 35 minutes.
  9. Remove the pan from the oven and remove the foil. Add another tablespoon or so of the marinara to each pepper and sprinkle with the cheese. Spoon any remaining marinara into the pan to coat the bottom,
  10. Return the pan to the oven uncovered and bake for 10 - 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the peppers are a little brown. Serve.
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Italian Salad with Pasta and Chicken

Italian Salad with Pasta and Chicken
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Pasta salad meets lettuce salad in an easy one dish meal. This serves two very generously. Use the cut whole wheat pasta of your choice. The same goes for the herbs you use in the dressing.
Servings
2
Servings
2
Italian Salad with Pasta and Chicken
Print Recipe
Pasta salad meets lettuce salad in an easy one dish meal. This serves two very generously. Use the cut whole wheat pasta of your choice. The same goes for the herbs you use in the dressing.
Servings
2
Servings
2
Ingredients
Dressing
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain and rinse and put in a large bowl.
  2. Slice the onion lengthwise into narrow strips and add them to the pasta in the bowl.
  3. Slice the peppers into thin strips abut the same size as the onions and add them to the bowl.
  4. Cut the tomatoes into halves or quarters depending on the size of the tomatoes and add them to the bowl.
  5. Add the garbanzo beans, drained artichoke hearts, chicken, and olives to the bowl and toss to combine everything.
  6. Dressing: Combine the dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake vigorously to blend everything. Pour over the salad ingredients and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.
  7. When you are ready to serve, add the torn lettuce leaves and toss once more. Divide between two plates and sprinkle with the Romano cheese.
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Not Potato Salad

Not Potato Salad
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An en"light"ened side dish. The flavors of potato salad join steamed cauliflower for a healthier alternative. Use herbs, vinegar, and mustard that suit you.
Servings
6
Servings
6
Not Potato Salad
Print Recipe
An en"light"ened side dish. The flavors of potato salad join steamed cauliflower for a healthier alternative. Use herbs, vinegar, and mustard that suit you.
Servings
6
Servings
6
Ingredients
Servings:
Instructions
  1. Steam the cauliflower in the mircowave or on the stove. It should be fairly tender but not mushy. Rinse under cold water and set aside to finish cooling.
  2. Combine the cauliflower, onion, red pepper, jicama, lemon zest, and herbs in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Mix the mayonnaise, yogurt, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard and agave nectar together. Add the fat free 1/2 & 1/2 and a pinch of salt and stir until smooth.
  4. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to combine. Chop two of the eggs and gently fold into the salad. Taste for salt and adjust as needed.
  5. Spoon into a serving bowl. Slice the remaining egg and lay on top of the salad. Sprinkle lightly with paprika if desired and garnish with a sprig of herb. Chill for at least 3 hours
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