#1 in Creamy Factor! Oh so VERSATILE!

I love creamy!
Creamy makes everything better, pasta sauce, pasta salad, sandwiches, dessert, EVERYTHING!

http://www.californiaavocado.com/avocado-variety-browser/

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http://products.usa.fage.eu/fage-total-0-6-oz

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#1 Creamy Factor

I saw this on Pinterest and couldn't resist trying.
What started as a pasta salad recipe, ended up as a
"PUT THIS ON EVERYTHING" recipe!

The recipe is absolutely delicious and utterly simple,
I've adapted from the original recipe here.

I used:
1 Ripe Avocado
1 1/2 Tbs Lime Juice
4 Tbs Fage 0% Plain Greek Yogurt
(SIDE NOTE: Greek yogurt is the ultimate in creaminess, use it as much as possible!)
1 Clove Garlic
A Handful of Cilantro
Salt to Taste
Optional:
I added serrano as garnish, it would be great pureed into the dressing.
Some ranch dressing powder would jazz it up too.

Toss everything in the food processor and blend.
It is as simple as that!

This makes enough for a pound of pasta,

OR
1/2 a pound of pasta

AND

A couple of chicken wraps
Wrap, chicken, radishes, and CREAMY AVOCADO LIME DRESSING

AND

A couple servings of Quinoa, Black Bean, and Chicken Salad
(Made with chilled cooked quinoa, black beans, and shredded chicken, and a dollop of dressing.)

AND

I think I can thin it down a bit and end up with a delicious dressing too.

And it is a great dip for veggies!

I will make this again and again and again!

(Weight Watchers - Points for the whole lot? 10PP for the WHOLE RECIPE!)

The Protein, Carb, and Vegetable Equation

In my new quest for more healthy eating, I have adopted the equation

P + V + C = HSJ

Protein + Vegetable + Carb = Healthy Satisfied Joanne

This means I can make whole meals that incorporate all of the things I focus on , or I set them seperately on the plate.  Like most people I can only stand the same old thing so many times.

I love salad and stand alone vegetables, but I have been trying to find other recipes to use as my vegetable component on my plate.

Today's new recipe was adapted from Bon Appetit magazine.

Marinated Kale and Green Bean Salad

Ingredients

Dressing

2 Tbs Olive Oil

1 Tbs Lemon Juice

1/2 Tbs Honey

1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

Salad

1/2 bunch of Kale, center ribs and stems removed, cut into peices

1/2 lb fresh Green Beans

Preparation

Combine dressing ingredients in a large bowl.

Add kale and toss to coat.

If you want the kale to be still crisp, let this marinate for 30-60 minutes.

If you prefer a wilted salad, let this marinate overnight.

Before serving, blanch the green beans and add them to the kale and toss.

Season to taste with salt and pepper

(original calls for a grated hard cheese, but I didn't want the extra points)

MY REVIEW

I loved this!  My non-kale-eating friend loved it!

It was fresh, perfect for the hot summer night.

It had a great tangy-sweetness, with just a pinch of kick from the red pepper flakes.

It was just what I needed to fill out my meal.

Chicken with barbeque sauce - 4 points

Marinated Kale and Green Bean Salad - 8 points

(point value of whole dressing recipe, zero points for kale and green beans)

Corn on the Cob - 2 points

Whole Meal - 14 points (if you eat the whole salad, which you may!)