Good day to you!  I am back with another exciting post to keep you on your toes and wanting to almost lick the screen with excitement.  Well that might be slightly over the edge but I was trying to be somewhat funny.  I know… I know I am not that great at being funny – well at least portraying myself as funny over the internet.  In real life I am hilarious – ask anyone if you don’t believe me!

Ok enough of me being a dork and onto a serious note.  I have a kick bum salad to share with you today.  It was part of the superb Bistro night at the NYE Gala.  When you read the ingredients you will be saying to yourself… wow these ingredients are very simple and you are right.  Simple and easy wins the race.  I am telling you – great food made simple is definitely the way to go.  I have had a hard time grasping that in the early part of my life when I always thought great food had to be fancy, but it really doesn’t have to be that way.

Just take a look below and see the specs to make this beauty.

Ingredients

• Mixed greens for 8 people, store mix or make own as desired.
• 3 Large oranges
• 2 Avocados
• 1 Tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/2 Tsp. salt
• 1/2 Tsp ground black pepper
• 2 Tsp. honey
• 2 Medium shallots, minced
• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

Method

1. Segment the oranges and collect juice from the procedure, set aside segments and the juice.
2. Should have about 3/4 cup of juice and add to this with another orange if needed.
3. Combine 1/2 cup of the orange juice with ginger, and mustard. Salt and pepper to taste.
4. In a second bowl mix 1/2 the shallots with the remaining orange juice and whisk in the olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
5. When ready to serve, open and dice the avocados and mix with honey ginger dressing, add the remaining shallots, cilantro and mint.
6. Add this mixture to the greens and gently mix.
7. Top with remaining dressing at the table if needed.
8. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: Did you know, Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds that add to the nutrient quality of your diet.

Around the Blogsphere

• So I finally had some time yesterday to check out the blogstalker again.  Nate was missing in action for a while but I did miss a few oh his hilarious posts.  Nate is a fantastic writer and will definitely make you laugh as he talks about food blogs all over the net.  He has mentioned zesty a couple of times and seems to enjoy my hair style.  If you have not yet checked him out… you must today over at the blogstalker.
• I am pretty excited to do a guest post this coming Sunday at Picky Palate.  In the same breath, I am kind of nervous and wondering what I should feature as the post.  I am sure I will come up with something.
• I have completed the Campbell’s Video Shoot for GoodBite.com.  I am reathrilled about the outcome.  It launched on January 26th so I will be sure to keep you posted and get you ready for the big splash in a couple of weeks.
• OPEN SKY Discount NEWS….. Open Sky launched a new look yesterday and it is looking super hot.  You can check out my new store front and in addition to the sexy new look you can enter a coupon code “REDESIGN” and receive a 10% Coupon.  This discount will run until the end of January so spread the word and buy whatever you see fit.  If you are looking for certain products and do not see them in my store – let me know and I will work on getting them in my store and trying them out.

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty

With the mornings getting a little more hectic with the holiday schedule behind us, why not start your day off with a quick and tasty smoothie.  I actually had this for dinner last night but it really is a great breakfast treat.  I kicked this smoothie up a little bit with a scoop of protein and a table spoon of flax seed.  It gave it more dimension and added some flavor as well.

The combination of oranges, pineapple and blackberries is really refreshing.  Whenever you have a craving for a smoothie or in a rush to get somewhere… whip this 3 minute recipe up in your blender.

Ingredients

• 1 Orange, peeled
• 1/4 Pineapple, peeled and cored
• 8 Blackberries
• 1 Cup Low-fat Yogurt
• 1 Scoop of Protein ( Vanilla)
• 1 Tbsp. Ground Flax Seed

Method

1. Place yogurt, pineapple, and orange in blender.  Mix on high until blended smooth.
2. Add protein and flax seed.  Blend again until smooth.
3. Toss in blackberries at the end and blend.
4. Top with blackberry.
5. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: Smoothie Not Thick Enough? If your smoothies are coming out thinner than you’d like, add a few more ice cubes to the recipe.  Add the liquids to the blender first, to prevent it from binding up on the fruit and getting stuck.

Question of the day: 

What is your favorite ingredient to put in a smoothie?

I hope you have yourself a great day.

Take care

zesty

Download my Free Recipe Book: Simply Zesty