Simple Tomato Guacamole Salad

This is a scrummy accompaniment, probably more suited for a summer meal, but none-the-less it is tasty! The Cumin and Cayenne Pepper give it a little kick, whilst the lemon and Coriander give a fresh flavour on the palet, all tied together with the creaminess of the Avocado.

Here's a little information about some of the super foods you will be consuming!

Avocado- Avocado is considered one of the healthiest foods on the planet with it being packed full of 25 essential nutrients. It should be mentioned that avocado is quite calorie dense, being high in fats; however, these fats are monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats (also known as Omega-3's), both of which improve the functioning of the body. Avocados also contain some fibre, protein and phytochemicals which help protect against various illnesses and diseases. Overall the consumption of avocados..... Helps to maintain a healthy heart, helps to lower blood cholesterol, controls blood pressure, has anti-aging properties, anti-inflammatory properties, and is rich in antioxidants helping to fight against free radicals. So gobble-up guys! 

Cayenne Pepper- Known for it's anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, cayenne pepper can help your body to fight many ailments. It is also a digestive aid through it's influence within the body to increase the production of gastic juices and enzymes within the digestive tract. This helps to speed up metabolism.

Cumin- traditionally used in herbal medicines as a digestive aid as well as an antiseptic of sorts. This means it may help your body with problems such as nausea, diarrhea, and indigestion, along with its antiseptic properties helping your body to fight any illness and boost your immune system.

Lemon Juice- naturally high in Vitamin C, lemon juice will again boost your immune system and fight against infection. Although acidic tasting, lemons are extremely alkalis and aid in keeping the ph balance of your body neutral at around 7.4. It is a blood-purifier, and aids in detoxing the body. 

Ingredients Will make one large bowl (serve approximately 8 as a side salad)

2 avocados

1 large bunch of Coriander, washed thoroughly (adding texture to a dish is great but the crunch of any grit left in between the leaves of Coriander... No thank you!) 

500 g cherry tomatoes

Juice of 2 lemons

1 red pepper

2 Courgettes

1 tbsp Cayenne Pepper

1 tsp Cumin

1 tsp Paprika

Cajun Spice shake

NOTE!!!   You may want to add more or less Cayenne Pepper and Paprika to the dish depending on your preferred level of spice! Both of these are types of chillies, with Paprika being a lot more mild than most varieties of chilli. Also depending on what brand of Cajun spice mix you may use, the spice of the dish will vary!!

Directions

To make this salad it is just as easy as dicing everything up and throwing it in a large salad bowl. Half the tomatoes, cube the courgette, chop the Coriander up finely and slice the red pepper into rough small squares. Throw it all in the bowl and squeeze over the lemon juice and shake over all the spices. 

Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!

Chicken and Avocado Rye Slice

Simple and uncomplicated, this recipe is fab as a started or to double the quantities for a light lunch. 

In my eyes, chicken and avocado are a match made in heaven! When I was younger, I hated 'avo' until my friends mum cooked us up a platter of chicken and avocado and I sat there looking at the green gooey slices with distaste. I forced myself the first mouthful of the dish and have loved the stuff since!

The Rye bread I used in this recipe is Biona Organic, Rye Omega 3- this bread is a little bit different to the bog standard bread you may be used to and see on the super market shelves; but I do know that most super markets in the UK will stock it either in the bread section or in the whole foods or speciality section. If not you can undoubtedly find it in a Holland and Barratt or any health food shop near by!  Give it a shot, it really is delicious, but an absolute MUST to toast it before. It changes both the flavour and the texture of the bread into something a hell of a lot better than just eating it straight out the packet!

It should be mentioned that Biona Organic also do other versions of the Rye bread; these are shown below. My other favourite is the quinoa and amaranth version (unfortunately this one isn't shown in the picture below)!

Ingredients: (serves 2 as a starter or one as a light lunch)

3 chicken tenderloins

1tbsp oilve oil

1/2 ripe avocado

1 slice of biona Rye bread

sun dried tomatoes, sliced in half

balsamic glaze

salt and pepper to season

Rocket to garnish

Directions:

In a pan, add olive oil and begin to pan fry your chicken tenders. Once almost cooked through, grab a sharp knife and fork and butterfly (slice down the length of your tender) your chicken. Put it back in the pan to finish off cooking. Once finished, set aside. Equally, if you have some left over chicken in the fridge, this is a great recipe to use this up!

Meanwhile, chop your bread in half and whack it in the toaster. In my experience rye bread takes longer to toast. This may be because it is more dense than usual bread?....But we could leave that assumption to the scientists...

With your Avocado, get your fork and slightly mash it in its case. Alternatively you can do this in a bowl if you feel you need a bit more strength to mash (mine was super ripe so it was quite easy to do just in my hand!)

Place a slice of your toasted rye bread (should be very crispy and slightly browned) onto a plate; spread on your mashed avocado, and layer your pan-fried chicken on top. Sprinkle with some salt and peper if you feel it needs some. Assemble your Rocket and Sun-dried tomatoes on the top, and slowly drizzle with some balsamic glaze.

Serve and enjoy!