This salad is the most virtuous, wholesome, healthy salad ever !!!!! It is so good for you on so many levels. The base for this salad is a combination of brown rice and green lentils. These are both high fibre, wholegrain protein foods which have a low g.i . This means this salad will keep you full for a long time as the energy will be released slowly. The avocado has essential fats, vitamins A & E and a high proportion of fibre. The chicken is poached and as a result is an excellent source of lean protein.
This salad is ultra adaptable - ingredients can be substitued for others depending on personal preference or simply what is in the salad drawer.
There are 2 dressings suitable for this salad or again feel free to experiment - perhaps a balsamic dressing or honey mustard dressing.
Serves 2
30g green lentils
30g brown rice
1 chicken fillet
1/2 avocado
1/4 red onion
1 - 11/2 tomatoes
1/4 red, green & yellow pepper
1 chicken stock cube
Handful fresh chopped parsley & chives
2 boiled egg whites
Handful of fresh spinach leaves
Optional: Low fat feta, steamed brocolli
Dressings
Curry Dressing
3 tbsp 0% fat natural yoghurt
1 tbsp low fat mayo
2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp mango chutney
Basil & Goats Cheese Dressing
3 tbsp skinny basil pesto ( see previous recipe)
1 tsp soft goats cheese
1 tsp 0% fat natural yoghurt
Method
- Bring a small pot of water to the boil. Add in the brown rice and lentil and boil for 30 - 40 mins until they become tender but still with a little bite.
- Bring a small pot of water to the boil. Add in the stock cube and chicken fillet, turn down to a medium heat and poach for 20 mins. When cooked, remove from the water, allow to cool and shred.
- Hard boil 2 eggs. Place the eggs into a pot of boiling water and boil rapidly for 10mins. Remove from the water and place in a bowl of cold water to cool down. Shell, set aside the yolk and chop into large chunks.
- Turn on the grill. Place the segments of peppers under a hot grill until they char and the skin goes black (5-10mins). When blackened wrap them in clingfilm. This will cause them to sweat and then just rub/peel off the skin and what remains are gorgeous, tender roast peppers. Cut into small dice.
- Peel and dice the avocado and red onion. Deseed and dice the tomato. Chop the fresh herbs.
- To make the curry dressing : combine 3 tbsp 0% fat natural yoghurt, 1 tbsp low fat mayo, 1 tsp mango chutney and 2 tsp curry powder. If you find this too thick, stir in a little of the remaining chicken stock. Some fresh coriander leaves will really lift this dish.
- To make the basil & goats cheese dressing : combine 3 tbsp skinny basil pesto, 1 1/2 tsp soft goats cheese and 1 tbsp natural yoghurt.
- Now just assemble, place the lentils and rice in a bowl, toss through the avocado, onion, tomato, shredded chicken, peppers and egg whites. Coat in the dressing. Add a little oil ( Irish rapeseed or olive oil ) if the dressing is too thick.
- Place some fresh spinach leaves in the base of the serving bowl, place the grain salad on top and sprinkle over with the fresh herbs . To be a little extra indulgent and I do recommend it - crumble over some egg yolk. Yum.
