Perfect Paleo Salad Nicoise

This salad is definitely a meal in itself. High in protein, it is very satisfying and incredibly healthy too. It’s the perfect Paleo dinner full of fat burning antioxidants and bursting with nutrition.

my salad nicoise smallThis salad is definitely a meal in itself. High in protein, it is very satisfying and incredibly healthy too. It’s the perfect Paleo dinner full of fat burning antioxidants and bursting with nutrition.

And don’t be afraid of the potatoes. An occasional potato is not going to hurt your efforts to stay lean, especially if it is combined with other fibrous vegetables, a healthy fat, and some good quality protein. And potatoes (especially organic ones) are rich in vitamins and minerals as well.

Use good quality fresh greens, as they are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants. I really like to add arugula with its sharp, slightly bitter taste. Arugula is a member of the same family as broccoli, which makes it an excellent fat-burning food, and an excellent source of vitamins A and C, folic acid, calcium, manganese, and magnesium.  It’s also a very good source of potassium, iron, zinc, riboflavin, and copper.

Salad
1 big handful of baby greens
1 big handful of baby arugula
2-3 new red potatoes, quartered
½ lb or so fresh green beans or asparagus
2 eggs hard-boiled, quartered
½ cup tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup kalamata or Greek olives
1 lb grilled tuna or 1 can of tuna packed in olive oil
Handful of fresh basil, and capers for garnish

Dressing
1-2 garlic cloves, smashed and minced
1 small shallot, minced
½ cup extra extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup balsamic vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Steam green beans lightly until tender crisp and then cool under cold water. Quarter and cook potatoes if necessary and soak in ice water, while you prepare the rest of the salad. Whisk together ingredients for dressing. On a large plate or shallow bowl, place greens on bottom, and arrange potatoes, green beans, eggs, tomatoes, olives and tuna in separate sections on top of greens. Drizzle with dressing and garnish with capers. Serves 2 or 4 smaller servings.
Enjoy!

Till next time, stay health and lean!

Catherine (Cat) Ebeling RN BSN, is a back to basics diet and nutrition specialist. In addition to her advanced degree in nursing from a major medical school, she has spent the last 30 years intensely studying diet, health and nutrition. She also has a book titled “The Fat Burning Kitchen, Your 24 Hour Diet Transformation” that has sold over 60,000 copies worldwide, and has helped thousands of people transform their lives, lose weight and improve their health.

Her mission is to help others prevent disease and live their best life ever.
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