In the hot days of summer it’s nice to turn to salads for a light meal or for the main entree to a family supper.
Finding light, no cook recipes that satisfy the palate and offer a delicious fresh taste is always a bonus. Adding a little meat or protein to any salad makes for a complete meal.
Use up leftover barbecued chicken or steak in a salad. Any kind of lunch meat is good as well: smoked turkey, ham, tuna, salami, corned beef, or prosciutto, they’re all great on salads.
Today’s pasta dish satisfies all criteria; it’s fresh and tasty.
The second salad is a Thai salad where a spicy and sour lime dressing complements cool cucumbers and Boston lettuce. It’s a real nice change.
No-Cook Fresh Tomato Sauce with Pasta
1 lb. (450 g) whole grain spaghetti, uncooked
8 plum tomatoes (2 lb./900 g), chopped
1/2 cup Kraft Calorie-Wise Zesty Italian Dressing
1/4 cup Kraft 100% Parmesan Light Grated Cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tbsp. chopped red onions
Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt. Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in large bowl. Drain pasta. Add to tomato mixture; toss to coat.
How to serve as a cold pasta dish: Prepare as directed. Add cut up cold Italian sausage to add if desired and refrigerate up to 24 hours before serving. Serve with a fresh spinach salad tossed with your favourite calorie-wise dressing.
Thai Cucumber Salad
Dressing:
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1-1/2 tbsp. Thai fish sauce
1-1/2 tbsp. sugar
1-1/2 tbsp. minced seeded jalapeño chili (about 1 large)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. chopped fresh mint
Salad
1-1/2 English cucumbers, halved, seeded, thinly sliced
1 carrot, grated
3/4 cup sliced red onion
1 head Boston lettuce, washed and torn
3 tbsp. chopped fresh mint
Salt and pepper to taste
3 tbsp. coarsely chopped lightly salted roasted peanuts (for garnish)
Instructions:
Step 1: Whisk dressing ingredients together in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Place cucumbers, carrot, onion, lettuce and mint in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with peanuts and serve.
