Black Bean Salad with Avocado and Grape Tomatoes

http://schneiderchen.de | © 2011 | http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com

This colourful, healthy and tasty black bean salad makes a great side dish, appetizer, or potluck. It tastes extra fresh and good if you can use freshly cooked black beans, if you don't, just use the canned beans. Make sure to rinse and drain the beans, if you are using canned beans.

Black beans, also known as turtle beans, offer nutritious, low-fat, high-fiber and -protein dietary choices. The combination of fiber and protein in black beans is a key to their outstanding support for blood sugar balance and blood sugar regulation.

Salad	Dressing
180 g Dried black beans 750 ml Water 15 Grape tomatoes, halved 1 Small onion, peeled and diced 1/2 Hass avocado, diced	2 tbsp White wine vinegar 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice 6 tbsp Olive oil 2-3 tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped 2 Garlic cloves, minced 1/3 tsp Dried crushed red pepper Salt and pepper

1. Cover the dried black beans with enough water in a large bowl and let them sit overnight or at least eight hours. Drain and rinse. Place the soaked beans in a saucepan with 750 ml of water. Bring it to a boil, cover, reduce heat, and let simmer until they are tender, about 1 hour. Drain and they are ready for use.
   
2. Combine all dressing ingredients in small bowl and whisk to blend. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
   
3. In a large bowl, combine beans, grape tomato halves, diced onions, avocado and the dressing. Toss until evenly coated.

http://schneiderchen.de | © 2011 | http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com

http://schneiderchen.de | © 2011 | http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com

Raw Energy Bars

http://schneiderchen.de | © 2011 | http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com

Fruity, nutty, naturally sweet, these raw energy bars made from dried prunes, figs, nuts and cocoa powder are a delicious and healthy snack to keep up your energy between meals, or after a workout.

Raw Energy Bars

adapted from Just As Delish

150 g Dried prunes, roughly chopped 150 g Dried figs 200 g Raw cashew nuts, chopped 150 g Raw almonds 20 g Cocoa powder 35 g Ovaltine chocolate malt powder A pinch of sea salt 2 tbsp Homemade vanilla extract

1. Line a 15x25-cm rectangular pan with a plastic film. Place chopped prunes, nuts, cocoa powder, Ovaltine chocolate malt powder and sea salt in a blender or food processor. Pulse a few times until all the ingredients come together.
   
2. Add in homemade vanilla extract and pulse until it reaches a dry but moist dough consistency. Scrape the mixture into the lined pan, press evenly with a rubber spatula, and chill for about an hour before cutting into bars.

http://schneiderchen.de | © 2011 | http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com

http://schneiderchen.de | © 2011 | http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com