Healthy Dinner . . . Building Attractive Indeed!

 Not only is he a great cook, but Paul is also keenly supportive of my blogging habit.  I’ve been trying to eat more consciously, more healthily, lately (at least partly inspired by Lisa’s sensible post on “Building Attractive”), and Friday night’s dinner was scheduled to be a favourite steak-vegetable salad we haven’t had for ages.

He was putting it together as I set up the evening’s DVD (Friday Night Lights, and I’m so nervous about Landry and Tyra . . . ). But instead of serving it onto plates, he called out that I should take a picture of the technicolour bowlful for my blog. One peek and I was convinced!

If it appeals to you, rustle up your own version — thinly slice a small steak, barbequed if possible for that extra flavour (we like ours Medium Rare, but cook to suit, of course).  Rinse a can of chickpeas if you haven’t time to plan ahead and cook your own. Boil just ’til tender about 1 1/2 cups of bite-size cauliflour pieces. Oven-roast 2 cups of cherry tomatoes and add along with a few handfuls of your favourite leaf lettuce and as much thinly sliced red onion as makes you happy. Ours was a basic oil and vinegar dressing, using olive oil, balsamic vinegar, grainy mustard and salt and pepper.

Let me know how yours turns out and I’ll pass your approval along to my guy. Enjoy!

15 Comments

  1. Susan B
    4 April 2012 / 8:48 pm

    Yum! We frequently have some version of this with leftover meat or chicken, though I leave the tomatoes off le monsieur's, and we often add a few slices of avocado.

    • materfamilias
      6 April 2012 / 3:22 am

      Ah, avocado would be a nice variation, for sure!

  2. Duchesse
    5 April 2012 / 12:14 am

    What time is dinner? We make something similar and it/s a good way to use any leftover roast meat. I'd really miss eating meat but am trying to eat smaller servings of it, and a salad like this makes a moderate portion go a long way.

    • materfamilias
      6 April 2012 / 3:23 am

      Interesting! We don't do this with leftover meat, but now I'm thinking we should as several of you mention it.

  3. LPC
    5 April 2012 / 2:02 am

    Wow that looks delicious. I love meat on my salads – and beef has that unique flavor. Thank you for saying hello. You see, you might eat in a Lisa-inspired dinner – I only WISH I could take a Mater-inspired run. I will say my walking counts, because it's all I can do:).

    • materfamilias
      6 April 2012 / 3:24 am

      I say your walking counts as well! For quite a few years walking was the mainstay of my fitness regime, and I know it works really well — I just like to change it up.

  4. hostess of the humble bungalow
    5 April 2012 / 2:35 am

    I agree this meal looks healthy and balanced…
    colourful too!

    • materfamilias
      6 April 2012 / 3:24 am

      It's bursting with colour, isn't it!

  5. Melanie
    5 April 2012 / 9:18 am

    That is one mouthwatering salad!!

    • materfamilias
      6 April 2012 / 3:24 am

      It was delish!

  6. Raquelita
    5 April 2012 / 2:42 pm

    We almost never eat red meat, but I love the colors of this salad. I might have to use it for inspiration for a pasta salad.

    • materfamilias
      6 April 2012 / 3:25 am

      It would be good with chicken as well, and I think with avocado and, maybe, black olives, I'd be happy with a veggie-only version.

  7. Diane
    6 April 2012 / 1:43 am

    This looks delicious! You are so lucky to have such a wonderful chef at your disposal! 🙂

    • materfamilias
      6 April 2012 / 3:26 am

      I really am lucky!

  8. Anonymous
    6 April 2012 / 5:44 am

    This salad just looks delicious. Would that my DH was browsing blogs and just HAD to prepare this for me. Sounds like P. is a "keeper."

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