#lightandfilling

This bright Aggie's Kitchen Spring Vegetable Pasta with Pesto is a great way to enjoy the fresh flavors of the season. Tossed in a tasty pesto sauce, tender pasta is served with bright green asparagus, sweet cherry tomatoes, and peas. This dish is light and filling, and it's great for a quick dinner during the week or a leisurely meal on the weekend.

Ingredients: 8 ounces pasta penne, fusilli, or your choice. 1 cup fresh or frozen peas. 1 cup asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces. 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved. 1/4 cup pesto sauce. 2 tablespoons olive oil. Salt and pepper to taste. Grated Parmesan cheese for serving.

Instructions: Follow the directions on the package to cook the pasta until it is al dente. Just before it's done cooking, add the peas and asparagus. Save 1/4 cup of the pasta water, and then drain the vegetables and pasta. Warm up the olive oil in a big pan over medium-low heat. For about two to three minutes, or until slightly softened, add the cherry tomatoes. Put cooked pasta, vegetables, and cherry tomatoes in the pan. Add the pesto sauce and stir it in. If the sauce gets too thick, add the pasta water that you saved. Add pepper and salt to taste. Add one to two more minutes of cooking and keep going until everything is hot. Grate some Parmesan cheese on top and serve hot. Have fun!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

A tasty and refreshing pasta salad that is great for summer parties. The fresh vegetables and herbs go well with the tangy lemon balsamic dressing, making this a light but filling dish.

Ingredients: 8 oz pasta of choice. 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved. 1/2 cup cucumber, diced. 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced. 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped. 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped. 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar. 2 tbsp olive oil. 2 tbsp lemon juice. 1 garlic clove, minced. Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, basil, and parsley. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until well combined and evenly coated. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Vietnamese caramel pork lettuce wraps are a delightful combination of savory, sweet, and fresh flavors. The caramelized pork pairs perfectly with crisp lettuce leaves and fragrant herbs, creating a light and satisfying meal.

Ingredients: 500g pork belly, thinly sliced. 1 onion, thinly sliced. 4 cloves garlic, minced. 3 tablespoons fish sauce. 2 tablespoons soy sauce. 2 tablespoons brown sugar. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil. 1 teaspoon black pepper. 1 head lettuce, leaves separated. Fresh herbs such as cilantro, mint, and Thai basil for garnish. Rice vermicelli noodles, cooked optional.

Instructions: In a bowl, mix fish sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, and black pepper. Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, saut until fragrant. Add pork slices to the skillet, cook until browned. Pour the sauce mixture over the pork, stir well to coat evenly. Cook until the sauce thickens and caramelizes. Remove from heat. Serve the caramel pork with lettuce leaves, fresh herbs, and cooked rice vermicelli noodles if desired. To assemble, place a spoonful of caramel pork onto a lettuce leaf, add fresh herbs, and rice vermicelli noodles. Roll up and enjoy!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Boost your taste buds with this crisp Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad topped with juicy chicken and a tangy Lemon Honey Ginger Dressing. It's a great keto-friendly meal that is both light and filling!

Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced. 6 cups fresh spinach leaves. 1 can 11 oz mandarin oranges, drained. 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted. 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced. 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled. For the dressing:. 2 tablespoons olive oil. 2 tablespoons lemon juice. 1 tablespoon honey or sugar-free sweetener for keto. 1 teaspoon grated ginger. Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions: The cooked chicken, spinach leaves, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds, red onion, and feta cheese should all be put in a large salad bowl. To make the dressing, mix the honey or sugar-free sweetener, grated ginger, salt, and pepper in a small bowl with a whisk. Add the dressing to the salad and toss it around so that it's all covered. Serve right away as a healthy and refreshing main dish or side dish.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Enjoy this Greek Couscous Salad, which is a tasty and refreshing dish made with couscous, fresh vegetables, feta cheese, and tangy olives. It goes well with Mediterranean-style meals or can be eaten on its own as a light and filling main dish.

Ingredients: 1 cup couscous. 1 1/4 cups water. 1/4 cup olive oil. 2 tablespoons lemon juice. 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Salt and pepper to taste. 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved. 1 cucumber, diced. 1/2 red onion, finely chopped. 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced. 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese. 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped.

Instructions: Add the couscous to the boiling water in a saucepan. Cover, stir, and take it off the heat. In the end, use a fork to fluff it up and let it cool down. Use a whisk to mix olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. This will make the dressing. Put the cooked couscous, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss it around to cover everything. Add fresh parsley as a garnish. Put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can mix. Enjoy! Serve cold.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Experience the flavors of sushi in a convenient salad form. This Sushi Salad combines sushi rice with fresh vegetables, nori seaweed, and a flavorful dressing for a light and satisfying meal.

Ingredients: 2 cups sushi rice, cooked and cooled. 1/2 cup cucumber, thinly sliced. 1/2 cup carrots, julienned. 1/2 cup avocado, diced. 1/4 cup nori seaweed, shredded. 1/4 cup pickled ginger. 1/4 cup soy sauce. 2 tablespoons rice vinegar. 1 tablespoon sesame oil. 1 teaspoon sugar. 1/2 teaspoon wasabi paste. Sesame seeds for garnish. Sliced green onions for garnish.

Instructions: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and wasabi paste to make the dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked sushi rice, cucumber, carrots, avocado, and shredded nori seaweed. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients. Divide the sushi salad into serving bowls. Garnish with pickled ginger, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious Sushi Salad!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

A refreshing and flavorful chicken salad with a zesty herb and garlic dressing, perfect for a light and satisfying meal.

Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded. 4 cups mixed greens. 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, and cilantro. 2 cloves garlic, minced. 1/4 cup olive oil. 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Salt and pepper to taste. Optional: sliced cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, crumbled feta cheese.

Instructions: In a small bowl, whisk together minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to make the dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, mixed greens, and chopped fresh herbs. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Divide the salad among serving plates. If desired, garnish with sliced cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, and crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Indulge in the perfect blend of savory and sweet with this Grilled Pork and Peach Salad. Juicy grilled pork tenderloin slices paired with fresh peaches and crisp salad greens make for a refreshing and satisfying meal.

Ingredients: 1 lb pork tenderloin. 2 peaches, sliced. 4 cups mixed salad greens. 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled. 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced. 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing. 2 tablespoons olive oil. 1 tablespoon honey. 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard. Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions: Warm up the grill over medium-high heat. Add salt and pepper to the pork tenderloin. Grill for 15 to 20 minutes, turning every now and then, until the internal temperature reaches 145F 63C. Wait five minutes before cutting it. Blend the balsamic vinaigrette dressing, olive oil, honey, and Dijon mustard together in a small bowl using a whisk. This makes the salad dressing. Mixed salad greens, sliced peaches, crumbled feta cheese, and red onion should all be put in a large bowl together. Add the salad dressing and gently toss the salad to coat it. Cut the pork tenderloin that has been grilled into thin slices. Put the salad on plates and then add the grilled pork slices on top of it. Serve this delicious Grilled Pork and Peach Salad right away and enjoy it!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes