Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Lunch: Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette

I made this salad last summer and I remember it being so delicious! So delicious in fact that I have been eagerly anticipating summer just so I could make it.

Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette
makes 4 servings
adapted from
Self

Romaine lettuce (about 8 leaves)
2 chicken breasts
1 can (15.5 oz.) black beans, rinsed and well-drained
2 tomatoes, seeded and diced
3/4 cup canned corn
2 small radishes, thinly sliced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 oz. feta cheese (the original recipe calls for fat-free, but I opt for the cheapest option at the supermarket which is full-fat)
1/2 red onion (the prettiest way to go, but I improvised and used up what I had in the fridge -- 1/4 white onion and 2 scallions)
Avocado

Dressing

2 limes (1/4 cup juice)
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 - 2 tsp. finely chopped jalapeño (I used a little less than half)

Cook chicken breast for about 10 minutes in a small amount of oil, until cooked through. Set aside and cool.

In a large bowl, mix all ingredients for salad except the lettuce and avocado. Mix a few times to bring the ingredients together. Prepare the dressing and pour about half over the salad mixture. Divide into containers for lunch. Chop the romaine and add on top of the divided salad mixture. Pour the remaining dressing equally over the four salads. Each day, add 1/4 of the avocado to the salad before eating.

Costs

Red bell pepper $2.79
Jalapeño pepper $.18
Romaine lettuce $2.15
Corn $1.69
Black beans $1.09
Cilantro $1.39
Feta cheese $2.60
Tomatoes $3.19 (for three)
Avocado $1.99
Chicken breast $5.39 (for two)

Total: $22.46
Cost per meal: $5.62

Nutritional info: 536 calories, 19g fat, 6g saturated, 98mg cholesterol, 52g carbohydrate, 14g fiber, 14g sugar, 43g protein, 86% vitamin A, 99% vitamin C, 22% calcium, 26% iron. Also a good source of vitamin K (101%), niacin (72%) and folate (65%).

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