I must be on a copy cat recipe kit recently because this is my second one in just a matter of weeks. I think it has to do with some confidence that I am gaining in the kitchen recently. I love finding new recipes that I love at restaurants and trying to recreate them. This particular recipe hails from Disney's Animal Kingdom. The Harambe Market in the Africa section of this park has started serving a black eyed pea and corn salad that is just to die for. It hits all the right notes. Here is my take and my version that you can now enjoy from the comfort of your home. 

Ingredients: 

2 cans black eyed peas, rinsed

1 ear corn, cooked 

1/4 cup roma tomato, diced

1/4 cup celery stalk, diced

1/4 cup red onion, diced

2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons safflower oil

1/2 tsp sugar 

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

fresh lemon zest

Directions: mix all ingredients together, chill then serve. 

This can be stored for several days and makes a wonderful make ahead side dish. This salad is refreshing and good for you. It's got a great depth of flavor and a wonderful crunch. 

Enjoy!

My husband has been making this black bean salad recipe for us for years. Its a perfect addition to any outdoor barbecue, picnic, or even just a fresh dinner at home. It has a great fresh crisp somewhat text mex flavor to it. There is no cooking involved, just a little washing and chopping. Go ahead and try this easy healthful salad out tonight. 

Ingredients: 

2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed 

2 ears of fresh corn, removed from cob

1/4 cup bell pepper, diced to about 1/2 the size of one black bean

1/4 cup red onion, diced to 1/4 the size of one black bean

2 roma tomatoes, diced to about 1/2 the size of one black bean

1/4 cup pineapple tidbits, chopped in half

1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped

3 tablespoons lavender honey

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

juice from 1/2 of a lime

1/2 tsp cumin

1 tablespoon lavender salt

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

Directions: 

Chop ingredients as directed above, mix together. Eat. 

So simple!

One thing I love about this recipe is that if you have some left over, if its left to sit overnight the flavors are even better the next day! So if you ever need a great make ahead dish, this is a real winner. 

Enjoy!

We recently went to Disney's Epcot in Orlando Florida. Right now they are doing their Flower and Garden Festival and their beautiful themed topiaries are not to be missed! While visiting Epcot's Morocco, we at at Restaurant Marrakesh. They have this TO DIE FOR lentil salad. In a park as huge as Epcot, with so many wonderful culinary choices, to say something was my favorite thing I ate all day really means something. This salad is super fresh, flavorful, and healthy! And it's also easy to make. So as you know from past experience with this blog, those things make it a real winner. 

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 cup green lentils

1/4 red onion, finely diced

1 bell pepper, finely diced

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar 

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons mayonaise

1 1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Directions: 

Place lentils in a pot of 4 cups of cold water. Turn on heat to high and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain, and rinse with cold water to stop the lentils from cooking. Mix the lentils with all of the other ingredients. Make sure you have diced everything very finely, because you will want your onion and pepper pieces to be the same size or smaller than 1 lentil. Refrigerate until cold. Adjust seasoning as needed. 

This salad is one for the books. You will love how low in fat, full of flavor, and delicious this recipe is. You might just be able to pretend you are somewhere exotic like Morocco, or at least Orlando. :) 

I bet if you are a long term reader, you are can guess what I'm going to say next. There seems to be a theme among our recipes around here lately. They are easy, one pot, simple, healthy meals that come together in a snap. Well tonights dinner is no different! I love spaghetti and so does my family, but sometimes you want to elevate your dish just a bit from the traditional. This meal is a great spin on a traditional italian dish. It's hearty hunks of delectable ham are delicious, but the white wine lemon sauce keeps it light and perfect for spring. 

Ingredients: 

8 ounces spaghetti noodles

1 can navy beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup white wine

1/4 cup butter

1 cup ham, cubed

2 tablespoons fresh taragon

juice of 1 lemon

salt and pepper

Directons: 

Boil your spagetti until al dente. While that cooks, melt your butter and add your white wine. Boil until reduced. Add your ham, lemon, and tarragon to your sauce. Once spagetti is cooked, add the spagetti and beans to the sauce and stir until combined. Salt and pepper to taste. 

See? Easy, fresh, and fantanstic. 

Enjoy!