INSALATA MISTA

Having just re-watched the movie "Julie & Julia", I feel inspired to dig thru my cookbooks and make something really tasty. But no worries, I am not going to attempt "Beef Borgonion" like Julia did. 



With Springtime coming (and thus diet season approaching,) I am in search of a main dish salad.


I pulled out my copy of  The Silver Spoon cookbook. I would describe The Silver Spoon as an Italian version of Joy of Cooking. This cookbook is HUGE, with only a few photos, but over 1200 pages of really worthwhile, authentic Italian recipes!

I settled on making "Insalata Mista Al Tonno", a mixed tuna salad. 
Here is the recipe:  (makes four servings)

9 ounces of canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 
1 bunch of arugula, rinsed
1 radicchio, trimmed
1 red bell pepper, halved seeded and cut into strips
1 celery stalk, cut into thin batons
1 round fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, cut into wedges (or use grape tomatoes)
9 oz canned tuna in oil, drained and flaked
1/2 cup pitted black olives
4 tablespoons olive oil
Pinch of dried Oregano
Salt & Pepper

Put the beans, arugula, radicchio, bell pepper, celery, fennel, and tomatoes in a salad bowl. Add tuna and olives. Whisk together olive oil, oregano, and pinch of salt and pepper in a bowl. Pour dressing over the salad, toss and serve. Some crusty Italian bread and chilled Pigno Grigio would complete the meal nicely if so desired. (Or, just a large glass of water with lemon is perfect if you are trying to trim down for Spring!)

This main dish salad is a real winner! It's delicious, healthy, colorful, high protein, low carb, and super tasty! You can make it earlier in the day and then refrigerate until you are ready to serve it. Then, get ready for the thundering applause...another midweek-meal success story! Woo hoo!