Memorial Day side dish

[finelauren]

I need to make a side dish for one of the picnics I am going to this weekend. Does anyone have any reccomendations? I am looking for something light and quick.

Thanks,

Lauren

[JackieO]

Well, this doesn't use spring veggies, but for light and quick, it can't be beat. When I want to make a quick salad for a pot luck, I mix together a head of broccoli broken into florets, a head of cauliflower (sliced), a handful of sliced mushrooms and a bottle of Italian salad dressing. Sprinkle a little oregano over all and let it marinate in the 'fridge for a few hours. If you want to make it a day ahead, don't add the mushrooms until you're ready to take the dish to the picnic. And if you don't like totally raw vegetables, blanch them slightly before mixing the dish.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for picnic weather.

[Angela]

This is one of my favorites, quick, easy, light, and yummy!!!

Note: I use one pack of the prepackaged chicken chunks from Louise Rich. That makes it super fast!

Black Bean Taco Salad with Lime Vinaigrette
Cooking Light July 2000, p. 112

Vinaigrette:
¼ cup chopped seeded tomato
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbl olive oil
1 tbl cider vinegar
1 tsp grated lime rind
1 tbl fresh lime juice
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp black pepper
1 garlic clove, peeled

Salad
8 cups thinly sliced iceberg lettuce
1 ½ cups chopped roasted skinned, boned chicken breast (about 2 breasts)
1 cup chopped tomato
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
½ cup (2 oz) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups fat-free baked tortilla chips (about 4 oz)

1. To prepare vinaigrette, combine first 11 ingredients in a blender of food processor; process until smooth.
2. To prepare salad, combine lettuce and remaining ingredients except chips in a large bowl. Add vinaigrette; toss well to coat. Serve with chips.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 2 cups salad and 1 cup chips).

Calories 402 (28% from fat); Fat 12.6g (sat 3.2g, mono 6.5g, poly 1.9g); Protein 24.5g; Carb 51.6g; Fiber 8g; Chol 35mg; Iron 3.6mg; Sodium 861mg; Calc 236mg