Black Bean Salsa/Salad

I can feel it.  The holidays make everything go on fast forward and I have a hard time keeping up.  I'm leaning on fast, healthy food right now -- and this one is a winner!

A teacher at my son's preschool just handed this beauty to me a few weeks ago and I've already made it twice (thanks, Kristin!).  Anyone who gives me a new recipe has an instant new fan:  me.

This stuff is as fast as it is addicting.  It is similar to the Summer Black Bean Salsa/Salad I posted a while ago, however the dressing is very simple and there is a bit less chopping.  Perfect to get us through the holidays!

Keep 'em coming, Kristin! :)

Black Bean Salsa/Salad

by www.trainermomma.com

source: www.pauladeen.com

2 15-oz cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 17-oz pkg frozen corn, thawed

2 large tomatoes, diced

1 large avocado, diced

1 small onion, diced

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

2 Tb lime juice

1 Tb red wine vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and chill.  Taste and add salt, pepper, and lime juice as necessary.

Serve with baked tortilla chips as an appetizer or with grilled chicken as a meal.  Kristin suggests using this with eggs and lettuce wraps.  She also has tried adding mango and jalapeno and both were home runs.  This is the recipe that keeps on giving.

Makes 10 cups.  1 cup is 146 calories.

For a printable version of this recipe, click here.

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Spicy Dip

My hairdresser and dear friend, Cindy, passed this one onto me.  The girl has figured out more than a few fast tricks to working long hours and staying healthy.  This one is loaded with flavor and plenty of protein to give you some lasting power.

Spicy Dip
by www.trainermomma.com
source:  Cindy (the best hairdresser ever)

1/4 cup black bean refried beans, fat free
1/4 cup plain yogurt, fat free or plain greek yogurt, fat free
1/4 cup favorite salsa

Just mix it all together and eat it with some fresh veggies.

Makes one serving at 90 calories for the whole darn thing.  Add a few more calories for the veggies.

Click here for printable version.

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Caprese Skewers

Last night was the one of the best holiday parties of the season for me: Book Club. Every December we roll out amazing food for each other and exchange some seriously exciting books. I've been homebound for 3 days now with a sick Johnny Scott, so the chance of me creating an edible masterpiece was slim.

So, what to do? Hit the blogosphere of course!

I immediately found what I was looking for on my favorite food blog, "For the Love of Cooking" by Pam. Oh my, she posts new recipes with mouth watering photos nearly every day and all of them are right up my alley. Very simple, real ingredients, and most of them healthy and light. Ah, and the flavors!

This one was called "Caprese Skewers". A simple and painless appetizer, plus it is healthy enough to take down any of those other fat filled chips and dips.

From Personal Training pics

Caprese Skewers
by For the Love of Cooking

Mozzarella balls
cherry or grape tomatoes
fresh basil leaves
olive oil
sea salt and pepper, to taste

Just place the tomato, followed by a folded basil leaf, then finish it off with a mozzarella ball. Arrange it like Martha would on a platter.

Drizzle with olive oil and season with your sea salt and pepper (freshly cracked if you have it). Gorgeous.

Enjoy and thanks, Pam! You've never let me down!

Click here for a printable version of this recipe.

BTW -- Wanna know some of our book club picks for 2010? I am so excited by the variety this year, I must share:

1. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
2. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
3. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
4. Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
5. Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation by Cokie Roberts
6. Rachel and Leah by Orson Scott Card
7. Thirteenth Tale by Dianne Setterfield
8. Thunderstruck by Erik Larsen
9. The Lacuna: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver
10. One of C.S. Lewis' books -- I can't remember which one!

I know I'm missing at least one. Nevertheless, yummy reading for another year... Thanks Book Club sisters! :)