Date Truffles

1 cup raw almonds or walnuts
20 large dates, pitted
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Zest from 1 medium-sized orange
2 tablespoons agave nectar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Cocoa powder, for rolling

Grind almonds or walnuts in food processor until fine. Add dates, cocoa powder, orange zest, agave nectar, cinnamon and nutmeg, and process until mixture forms a ball. If mixture does not stick well add more agave nectar. Form 30 small balls (walnut-sized) out of mixture. Roll in cocoa powder and serve.

Variations--roll in shredded coconut, ground nuts.

--Sierra Club, Planet Kansas, vol. 33 no. 4, August/September 2009

Three-Bean Salad

1 can chickpeas
1 can kidney beans
2 cups green beans, cut into 1" lengths
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
5 scallions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives
2 teaspoons chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 ear fresh corn, cooked and cut off cob
10 kalamata olives, pitted and diced

Dressing:
1 lemon, juiced
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Place green beans in small amount of boiling water and boil for five minutes. Remove from heat and cool by running cold water over beans. Place remaining salad ingredients into a large serving bowl. Prepare dressing and mix into salad. Serve and room temperature or chilled.

Additional veggies can be added for a fuller salad such as grated carrot or cucumbers.

--Sierra Club, Planet Kansas, vol. 33 no. 4, August/Sept 2009

Broccoli Raab & Cannellini Beans with Pasta

I found this recipe at Whole Foods...or I should say my kids found the recipe when a nice lady with samples handed them a tiny cup of this yummy goodness. They loved it so I grabbed the recipe.

1 bunch broccoli raab, washed
1 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, more for drizzling
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 tsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
Dried red chile flakes to taste
15-oz. can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
8 oz. whole wheat pasta (any shape...my favorite is campanelle)
Lemon wedges or red-wine vinegar
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Start a pot of water to boil for pasta.

Peel the larger stems of the broccoli raab and slice them thinly. Chop the leaves coarsely. Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch skillet. Add the onion and rosemary and cook over medium-high heat until onion softens and begins to color, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and a pinch or two of the red chile flakes and cook 1 minute longer. Add the chopped raab leaves and stems along with 1 cup of water and cook, stirring occasionally, until the raab is wilted, about 5 minutes. Add the beans (and more water as needed) until the beans are cooked, about another 15 minutes. Season well with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in boiling water. Drail well. Toss the beans and greens with pasta. Drizzle olive oil liberally over the mixture. Top with a squeeze of lemon juice or a splash of red-wine vinegar and freshly-grated Parmesan. Serve warm.

I also love broccoli in this, 1 bunch with the step peeled thinly sliced.

Smoked Paprika Roasted Salmon with Wilted Spinach

Serves 8

1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
2 teaspoons thyme leaves, divided
2 pounds salmon fillets
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 bag (10 ounces) spinach leaves

Mix orange juice, 2 tablespoons of the oil and 1 teaspoon of the thyme in small bowl. Place salmon in a large glass dish. Add marinate; turn to coat well. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, longer for extra flavor.

Mix sugar, smoked paprika, cinnamon, orange zest, remaining 1 teaspoon thyme and sea salt in small bowl. Remove salmon from marinade. Place in a greased foil-lined baking pan. Discard any remaining marinade. Rub top of salmon evenly with smoked paprika mixture.

Roast salmon in preheated 400 degree F oven 10 to 15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Meanwhile, heat remaining 1 teaspoon oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add spinach; cook and stir 2 minutes or until wilted. Serve salmon over spinach.

Fit Tip--Alliaceous Veggie Goodness

Fit Tip: Garlic, onions, leeks, shallots, and chives (alliaceous family veggies) have sulfur compounds that are known to promote the death of color, breast, lung, and prostate cancer cells. Additionally, studies have suggested a lower risk of kidney and prostate cancer in people who consumed the most garlic of the tested groups.

Tip in Action: Crushing garlic releases more of the compound and more is absorbed when combined with a healthy oil like olive oil. Sauteed chopped garlic and onions tossed with stir-fried veggies or whole grain pasta sprinkled with fresh cracked black pepper and turmeric is a yummy quick fix. Raw works too--toss with salad or layered on sandwiches!