2 Summer Recipes - My Faves for the 4th of July!

Collard Green Wraps

Ingredients
1 bunch collard greens
+
prepared stuffers
(see below) 


1. Wash and cut the stems off 1 bunch of collard greens, at the base of the leaves.

2. Steam or blanch the collards whole, for 2-3 minutes, and set aside to cool.

3. Grate or finely chop any ingredients you'd like to stuff inside (or get out those leftovers, cold or warm!). Grain salads are great stuffers.

4. Place in middle of collard leaves and wrap up like a burrito, tucking in the ends. My method: tuck one edge over stuffing and pull in snug, fold in each edge, snapping the stem inward, then roll tightly, serving seam-side down. Serve with sauce for dipping, or add sauce inside.

Ideas for the inside:
- Carrots and beets
- Cucumbers
- Sprouts
- Avocado
- Shredded cabbage
- Beans or hummus
- Brown rice or other cooked whole grain
- Turkey or other prepared meat
- Tofu or tempeh stir-fry
- Nuts or nut butters
- Ginger

Saucey ideas:
- Balsamic vinaigrette
- Honey mustard dressing
- Spicy orange peanut sauce
- Green goddess dressing
- Wasabi ginger sauce
- Garlic tahini dill yogurt sauce
- Hot sauce & guacamole & salsa

Why I love this recipe:
- great way to get in more greens
- delicious, creative makeover for leftovers
- packs well for lunch and picnics

Once you have the steamed leaves, save what you don't use in a container in the fridge for wrap meals later in the week - breakfast, lunch or dinner! I often stuff mine with leftover sauteed veggies and rice for lunch the next day. Easy and yum.

Here's my favorite salad for the inside... or to bring to 4th of July parties to make sure I have something healthy, hearty and vegetable-full to satisfy me. Feel free to add any other cooked (grilled? mmm...) or raw veggies!

Quinoa Corn Salad with Basil
2 cups cooked quinoa
2 ears of corn, kernels cut from cob (I like it raw!)
1 large tomato or 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
1⁄2 cup finely diced red onion
1 cup tightly packed basil leaves, chopped
2 Tbs. olive oil
juice from 1-2 lemons
salt and pepper to taste
Easy peasy: Combine all in a large mixing bowl and season to taste.


What kind of healthy are you bringing??  Knowledge is empowerment. Share your recipes with us below!