Nectarine spinach and greens salad with garlic and herb dressing

My kids LOVED this. I'm not sure what prompted me to try nectarines with greens, but I'm sure glad I did. They ate it up, and there wasn't a single bit left. The flavors compliment each other amazingly. Yummy and refreshing all in one, what more could you ask for?

This salad is a perfect compliment to this black beans and rice recipe. Everything is fresh, and homemade making for an extremely healthy meal!

Firm nectarines create a lovely crunch in this salad. Dont worry about how sweet they are, they will taste much sweeter with homemade salad dressing.

Prep time: 10 Min. Cook time: 30 Min. Serves: 8

Ingredients

2 firm nectarines, chopped into bite sized pieces

1 bag prewashed baby spinach and greens(or other mixed green salad)

1/4 c. olive oil

3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. mustard seed

1 tbsp. onion powder

1 tbsp. garlic powder(or fresh garlic if you prefer)

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. basil

2 tbsp. dry parsley flakes

1/8 tsp. sea salt

Instructions

place olive oil, mustard seed, onion and garlic powders, oregano, basil, sea salt and parsley into a food processor(or use immersion blender) and process until mustard seeds are pulverized. remove from processor and place into a small tupperware bowl, drizzle in apple cider vinegar and shake well. cover and refrigerate. Until ready to serve.

Place salad into a large bowl, then top with the chopped nectarines. chill for 30 mins. drizzle salad with desired amount of homemade dressing and toss to coat, just before serving.

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Crunchy Nutty Brown Rice

Crunchy Nutty Rice

Serves: 10

I thought some might want a new twist on plain ol rice. This sounds really yummy. I think it would be awesome with almonds or chopped peanuts!

INGREDIENTS
1-1/2 cups water
1 cup chicken stock or broth(more water, or vegetable stock to make it vegan)
1-1/3 cups uncooked long-grain brown rice
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped pecans(or other nuts)
1/4 teaspoon ground sage
1 cup finely chopped celery
5 oz. sliced water chestnuts
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Black pepper to taste
Sea Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS
1. Bring water and stock to a boil in medium-size saucepan.
2. Add rice and stir. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.
3. Remove pan from heat. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Reserve.
4. Heat oil in large nonstick skillet.
5. Sauté onion and celery over moderate heat 3 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients including reserved cooked rice. Fluff with fork before serving.

Healthy homemade pizza with vegan cheese

My daughter is allergic to dairy so I had to come up with a healthy alternative for her since she loves pizza. I made this on friday and Kevin demanded that I make it again on sunday he liked it so much.If you cant find vegan cheese, it would be great without any type of cheese also!

This recipe is for making the dough in a bread machine on the dough setting.

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Prep time: 10 Min. Cook time: 45 Min. Serves: 16

Ingredients

crust:

1 1/2 c. hot water

2 tbs. olive oil

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 tbsp. Italian seasoning

1 tbsp. basil (or to taste, I love basil)

2 tbsp. crushed red pepper

1 tsp. garlic powder

3 1/2 c. naturally white flour

1/2 c. whole wheat flour

2 1/2 tsp. bread machine yeast

sauce:

6 oz tomato paste

1 tbsp. basil

1 tsp. oregano

2 Cloves Garlic

1/4 tsp salt(or to taste)

toppings:

2 packages vegan mozzarella cheese

1 package natural ham

1 can pineapple tidbits in its own juice(no HFCS here!)and well drained

other toppings of choice(all veggies to make it vegan)

Instructions

place first 7 ingredients into bread pan, add flours then make a well for the yeast, add yeast and set bread machine to dough cycle. Add more water or flour as needed to get a pliable dough.

in the mean time mix together the sauce ingredients and let sit until dough is done.

preheat oven to 350 degrees.

This makes a HUGE thick crust so lightly grease an 11×13 glass baking pan(or two pizza pans might work) with olive oil. turn dough out into pan and pat down while spreading it out in the pan. Poke holes in the entire crust with a fork. spread sauce out on crust, then top with toppings of choice. sprinkle cheese on top of toppings, then bake pizza in oven for 30-45 mins or until crust is golden brown and cheese is melted and starting to bubble.