Fiesta Bean Salad

As I was browsing through SkinnyTaste.com, I came across a dish that I have tried before; however, I loved it. I am a huge fan of Bean Salad and Beans are one of the most important foods that boosts your metabolism. You can eat it alone as part of a meatless lunch or a side dish. Here is the recipe. I hope you enjoy!

Ingredients

2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
3 Tbsp Fresh Lime Juice
1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Tsp Cumin
Pinch of Crush Red Pepper Flakes
1/2 Tsp of Salt
15 oz Can of Black Beans (rinsed and drained)
1 Cup of Canned Chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
1 Cup of Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
1/4 Cup of minced Red Onion (finely diced)
1/4 Cup Cilantro (chopped)
1 Medium Avocado (diced)

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the Garlic, Lime Juice, Olive Oil, Cumin, Crushed Red Pepper and Salt. Add the Black Beans, Chickpeas, Tomato, Onion and Cilantro; mix well. When ready to eat, mix in Avocado and eat right away. Makes 4  1/3 Cups

-Markesha xoxo

Angel Hair Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes

Hello healthy eaters,

Here is another recipe that I found on skinnytaste.com that I will be trying sometime this week. This is the perfect spring/summer dish that you can try! It's called Angel Hair Pasta with Zucchini and Tomatoes. Feel free to leave a comment if you have tried this dish before. I would love to hear some feedback!

Ingredients:

2 Zucchini (Julienne or cut into ribbons)
4 cloves Garlic (Chopped)
2 Shallots (Diced)
3 Tomatoes (Diced)
4 tsp Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Crushed Red Pepper flakes to taste
8 oz Angel Hair Pasta (I prefer to use whole grain angel hair pasta)
2 tbsp chopped fresh Parsley
1/4 cup low sodium fat free Chicken or Vegetable Broth

Directions:

In a large pot of salted boiling water (I use Sea Salt), cook pasta according to instructions.

While pasta is cooking, in a large saute pan, heat pan on medium-high flame, add oil when pan is hot. Add garlic and shallots to the pan and saute about 1 minute. Add Zucchini and season with salt and pepper. Cook about 2 minutes, add tomatoes, crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, chicken broth and adjust salt and pepper. Stir for another minute. Remove from flame.

Drain pasta when done reserving some of the water and toss pasta well with Zucchini. Add pasta water if needed and serve with Parmesan (Optional).

Enjoy friends!

-Markesha xoxo