Monday, December 26, 2011

Food For Life

The new year is swiftly approaching us, and in honor of resolutions, Meatless Monday, and making healthy changes in life, we are bringing Food for Life to the beginning of the week. Healthy living ideas, recipes and all the things you need to get your week started off on the right track!

One Food, Five Ways: Arugula
It's no major secret that arugula has become much more popular over the last couple of years. It's a spicy, delicious green that is extremely full of vital nutrients and vitamins. Today courtesy of vegetarian times, we are bringing you five delicious arugula meal ideas!

Cantaloupe-Arugula Salad:





What you will need-
3 cups of cantaloupe balls
1 cup tightly packed arugula
1tbs. of olive oil
1 1/12 tsp. of cracked black pepper
2 oz. of your favorite cheese, shaved

Toss together cantaloupe, arugula, oil and pepper in a large bowl. Season with salt, and top with a bold cheese, like gorgonzola.

Arugula-Ricotta Omelet:






What you will need-
1 egg and two egg whites
1 small shallot, chopped
1 oil packed sun-dried tomato, finely chopped, plus 1/2 tsp of oil from jar
1 cup of arugula
1 tbs of ricotta cheese

Whisk egg and egg whites with 1 tbs of water in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, set aside. Place shallot, sun-dried tomato and reserved oil in a small nonstick skillet and and saute over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add arugula and saute for 2 to 3 more minutes. Pour in egg mixture stirring to distribute arugula and tomato mix evenly. Reduce heat and cook for 2 minutes, or until omelet begins to set. Add ricotta cheese, and let the omelet cook for about a minute more, then fold in half, and enjoy.

Goat Cheese-Arugula Bruschetta:






What you will need for goat cheese spread-
8oz. of fresh soft goat cheese
2 tbs. of milk (we prefer almond or rice)
4 cups of arugula, coarsely chopped
2 tbs. of chopped chives
1 tsp. of grated lemon zest

What you will need for arugula sauce-
4 cups of arugula
3 cloves of peeled garlic
1 tbs. of grated lemon zest
1/4 cup of olive oil
1 tbs. of lemon juice

What you will need for the bruschetta-
1 french or sourdough baguette, cut into 32 slices
16 cherry tomatoes
1 cup of arugula for garnish

Spread-
Mash goat cheese with milk in a bowl. Stir in arugula, chives, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper.

Sauce-
Blend arugula, garlic and lemon zest in food processor until finely chopped. Add olive oil an lemon juice and blend until smooth. season with salt and pepper.

To assemble bruschetta-
Spread each baguette slice with 1 1/12 tbs. of goat cheese spread. Top with 1/2 tsp. of arugula sauce. Garnish each with a cherry tomato half and arugula leaves.

Ultimate Summer Arugula Salad:






What you will need-
10 cups of arugula
4 ears of fresh corn
4 medium tomatoes, quartered and cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
2 hass avocados, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 1/2 tbs. of lemon juice
2 tbs. of olive oil

Place arugula in a large salad bowl. Add tomatoes, avocados, lemon juice and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and toss.

Crispy Lemon Pepper Arugula:

What you will need-
4 oz. of arugula leaves
2 tbs. of olive oil
2 tsp of lemon pepper seasoning

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss together arugula, olive oil, and lemon pepper in a large bowl until arugula is well coated with oil. Spread in a single layer on two large baking sheets. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally with tongs, or until leaves are crispy and dark green. Season with salt.