Fresh Cabbage and Peanut Salad

We love this cabbage and peanut salad for a few reasons. First, it's an easy way to get your fiber, protein, and healthy fats, in one sitting! Second, it doesn't require much time in the kitchen. Yes, we do ask that you allow the cabbage to sit for an hour - but you certainly don't have to sit with it! Feel free to run your errands, make your phone calls, or take a shower while your cabbage sits - we promise your kitchen won't go ablaze! Lastly, this dish is simply delish! See for yourself and follow our recipe below! 

Ingredients (serves 3-4):

• 1 medium-sized cabbage, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1/2 cup raw peanuts
• 1/2 bunch scallions, finely chopped
• 2 green apples, finely chopped

Dressing:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sesame seeds to taste 

Directions:

1. Toss the salt and cabbage in a large bowl and leave for about 1 hour. This will allow the cabbage to expel some of its moisture and reduce bitterness.
2. While waiting, roast the peanuts in a single later, in a skillet over medium heat. Occasionally toss until they are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. 
3. In a small bowl, combine olive oil, rice vinegar, lemon juice, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix and taste. Feel free to adjust ingredients according to taste. (remember: the cabbage is already salted so the dressing may not require much additional salt).
4. Once the hour has passed, toss cabbage again with hands. Prior to serving, add scallions, apples, peanuts, and dressing. 

Cucumber Noodle Greek Salad

Greek salads have always been one of our dietary defaults. So much so, that we've decided it's time to spruce it up a bit. Rather than using the traditional chopped lettuce base that we're accustomed to, we ditched the lettuce entirely and replaced it with spiralized cucumber noodles. If zucchini and squash can do it, why can't cucumbers!? Try the recipe below for a new spin on your favorite classic. 

Ingredients (serves 1):

• 1 large cucumber
• 10 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup yellow onions, diced
• 5 Kalamata olives, halved 
• 2 tablespoons feta cheese 
• Dill (to taste) 
• Thyme (about 2 pinches) 
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 

Directions:

1. Wash cucumber and slice off both ends, flatly and evenly. Halve cucumber and send through spiralizer. Place cucumber noodles in bowl. 
2. Add tomatoes, onions, and olives to bowl. Add thyme and dill. Mix together so all ingredients appear evenly distributed. 
3. Add feta on top.
4. Enjoy! 

Chinese Chicken Salad

Who doesn't love a good Chinese chicken salad!? Unfortunately more often than not, a Chinese chicken salad also means creamy dressing and fried wonton strips, AKA, unnecessary calories from unhealthy foods. Here is the Tovita solution to this salad dilemma! Flavorful and easy to make, this salad is a year round favorite! 

Ingredients: (serves 4)

• 1/2 head iceburg lettuce, shredded
• 1/2 head romaine lettuce, shredded
• 2 large carrots, julienned (can use spiralizer or vegetable peeler)
• 2 cups snow or snap peas, chopped roughly
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, toasted or sautéed until browned
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cucumber, diced
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 zucchini, spiralized and lightly sautéed
• 1/4th cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 2 cups pulled rotisserie chicken
• 1 lime, halved

Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon peanut butter
• 1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• 1.5 teaspoons chili sauce

*If you want to save yourself some time/ingredients, we recommend using Annie's organic Asian sesame dressing or San-J thai peanut dressing (also GF!)

Directions:

1. Chop, shred, spiralize, or dice all ingredients besides the peanuts and add to a large bowl
2. Sauté the peanuts in light oil until browned. Can also put them in the toaster until brown. 
3. Slice lime in half and sauté one half face down to add as a garnish
4. In a separate bowl, mix together dressing ingredients
5. Add dressing lightly before serving and mix.  Squeeze unused half of the lime over the salad to add a citrus flavor. Garnish with mint and lime.

The Only Summer Salad You Need

This is the ultimate bright, colorful, delicious summer salad that you have been looking for! It is so simple yet offers the perfect mix of sweet and savory. If you need a pop of color with your summer BBQ spread, this is the way to do it. With all hues of red, this salad delivers a ton of lycopene - the antioxidant carotenoid that gives tomatoes and strawberries their bright red color. Studies suggest that lycopene may help prevent against prostate, lung, and stomach cancers. So all the more reason to feel great while enjoying this dish!

Red Hot Summer Salad:

Ingredients (serves 4 as a side):

• 1 container strawberries
• 1 container cherry or grape tomatoes
• Fresh basil
• 4 oz fresh mozzarella
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
• 2 tablespoons balsamic reduction

Directions:

1.  Cut the tomatoes in half lengthwise
2. Trim the stems off of the strawberries and cut into quarters
3. Add tomatoes and strawberries into the serving bowl and mix with the balsamic reduction and balsamic vinaigrette until evenly spread
4. Tear the mozzarella and add to the bowl
5. Tear basil into pieces and add to bowl
6. Mix and serve

Watercress and Mushroom Salad

This week we are all about finding ways to add greens to your dinner in new and delicious ways. On Monday we talked brussels sprouts, and today we're giving you watercress. If you're looking for a light and easy salad to start your meal, this is the dish for you. It is quick, easy, and super tasty. Watercress has an abundance of health benefits, including cancer prevention. Watercress has a high level of antioxidants that prevent your DNA from damage. It also contains high levels of vitamins A, C, and K, which is excellent for bone health. Watercress also provides chlorophyll, which helps block carcinogenic amines that are created when grilling meats at high temperature. 

Mushrooms, a member of the fungi family, provide a meaty flavor and consistency to the salad. They help boost the immune system by increasing the killer T cells in the body which go after the bad guys. Mushrooms also contain choline, an important nutrient that aids in sleep regulation, muscle movement, learning and memory. It also helps reduce inflammation in the body. Never thought you could do so much for your body before getting to the main course?!

Ingredients: (serves 4 as appetizer or side dish)

• 3 shallots, cut into 1 inch slices
• 1 pound oyster, crimini, or shiitaki mushrooms, stems removed and cut in half
• 5 oz watercress, cut and torn 
• 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
• 2 ounces shaved parmagiano cheese (optional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil to sauté shallots and mushrooms

Dressing:

• 1 small shallot, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons whine wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon leaves
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Combine all of the dressing ingredients besides the olive oil in a food processor and blend until evenly chopped. Transfer to a bowl and slowly whisk in the olive oil. Mix to create dressing consistency
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet on medium-high heat and add mushrooms, sliced almonds, and sliced shallots. Cook about 7 minutes until tender and the shallots are browning
3. In a serving bowl, transfer the mushrooms, shallots, and almonds and add the watercress. Mix together and add a dash of salt and pepper. Option to top with shaved parmigiano cheese. 
4. Dress lightly, toss, and serve

*You can also dress lightly with simply 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper