Tuesday, April 13, 2010

One Sassy Salad (And Dressing)

I just got back from an amazing week in Tampa with my best friends. After an overload of Taco Bus, Jelly Bellys, and wine by the pool, it’s time for some serious clean eating.


Soon after touching down in Boston I headed for my favorite local farm stand, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s to get some good for you food. Against my normal strategy I wandered around and bought whatever looked good to me with no real idea of what I was going to make. However, if you only buy good stuff you can only eat good stuff, right? 
After such a glutinous weekend a workout was desperately needed as well. Any time I am working out in the after work time slot I like to make my dinner in advance so it is 100% ready to go when I come home stahhhvin to death. With just over 20 minutes to Zumba the gears in my tiny little brain started moving. Somehow I came up with a masterpiece!  It worked out like it was in the plans all along.

I started with the protein, a can of tuna. I decided to sass it up with some curry powder. Then I started chopping veggies and realized I had cilantro and then the wheels really started turning. I swear to you, I made this in less than 30 minutes, homemade dressing included. And bonus, I chopped enough for two portions so I have lunch for tomorrow too! 

Curry Tuna Salad
1 Can Tuna (mash the holy heck out of it with a fork)
2 Tbs Mayonnaise
2 Tsp curry Powder
½ Cup frozen mango (thawed and diced)

Salad
Lettuce
Red Bell Pepper
Cucumber
Cilantro
Diced Fresh Pineapple

Dressing - I measured nothing, but it turned out OK!  Just whizzed it all in my mini Cuisinart.
Fresh Pineapple
Mango
Cilantro
White Balsamic Vinegar
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper

If I had actually planned this, I would have done it just a little differently. A lime in the dressing would be amazing, as would crab instead of tuna. I also thought black beans would be great for some added protein. Anywho, after sweating my buns off at Zumba, it was nice to come home to such a fresh sassy salad. Definitely a new summer staple!