Roasted Beet Salad With Goat Cheese

This salad is so good it can be a meal itself! And if I'm saying that, it's really something- because with my 'healthy' appetite, salad is usually a precursor to a bigger main course. But I find myself satisfied with just this salad, and perhaps a piece of good bread. Great for a weekday meal because it's so quick!

Ingredients:

1 bag pre-washed Mixed Greens
3-4 medium beets
1/2 cup of crumbled goat cheese
1/4 cup chopped almonds, walnuts or pecans
1 small can mandarin oranges (optional)
1 tbsp oil
salt and pepper to taste
Any kind of balsamic vinaigrette

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375.
2. Peel and chop the beets into wedges.
3. Arrange on a baking sheet or baking pan and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper
4. Roast the beets in the oven for 10-15 minutes.
5. Test with a fork- you should easily be able to stick a fork into them and they should be browned on the outside but still tender on the inside.
6. Toss beets with mixed greens, nuts, and crumbled goat cheese.
7. Arrange mandarin orange slices on top (optional)
8. Add dressing as desired.

Enjoy!

Total prep time: 20 minutes

Garlic Green Beans with Slivered Almonds

This recipe is a variation of "Green Beans Amandine". With Thanksgiving coming up, I thought I'd post some veg-friendly side dishes for any upcoming family gatherings. This is also really quick and easy to prepare, which makes it perfect for a side for your weeknight dinner. I usually serve it as a side to pasta.

Ingredients:

Fresh green beans (I like to get the packaged kind which is already trimmed, as it's a huge time saver!)
2 cloves of garlic
1 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
half a fresh lemon
2 tbsp slivered almonds

Directions:

1. Turn on the skillet to medium high.
2. Once the skillet is hot, add the slivered almonds and toast lightly until golden.
3. Remove the almonds from the skillet and place to the side.
4. Add olive oil to the skillet.
5. Mince the garlic cloves and add to the skillet.
6. Once the garlic starts to sizzle, add the green beans.
7. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes.
8. Add 1/4 cup of water to the green beans and cover for 5 minutes to allow green beans to cook down slightly.
9. Uncover and season with salt and pepper.
10. Once green beans are cooked (should be tender but still firm- if they are crunchy they are not yet done)
11. Add in toasted almonds, add a few squirts of lemon juice, and serve!

Toddler friendly option: Overcook the beans until they are no longer firm, and leave out the almonds!

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Serves 3