Crab Surimi Thai Salad

4 servings           Prep time: 15 minutes
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
2 tsp Asian fish sauce
1 tsp sugar
3 small bell peppers ( red,green, orange &/or yellow), seeded & finely diced
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded & minced
1/2 seedless cucumber, chopped
1/4 cup copped fresh cilanro
12 oz surimi ( imitation crab)
12 slices ( about 2 whole) papaya, honeydew, or mango, skin removed

Blend vinegar,fish sauce & sugar in a bowl.
Mix in peppers, jalapeno, cucumber, cilantro, & surimi.
To serve, place 3 slices of fruit on plate and top with 1-1/2 cups of salad

Nutrition per serving: 186 calories
1.5 gm total fat       0.3 gm saturated fat    7% calories from fat
17 mg cholesterol   0.6 gm omega-3 fatty acids
12 gm protein         33 gm carbohydrate
4 gm fiber              1252 mg sodium
61 mg calcium

Cucumber Avocado Soup

Fabulous cold! Easy to make.

4 servings, 1 cup each
TIME: 35 minutes
from: Eating Well Magazine

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 cups peeled, seeded and thinly sliced cucumbers, divided
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1/2 cup low-fat plain yogurt

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 1 to 4 minutes. Add lemon juice and cook for 1 minute. Add 3 3/4 cups cucumber slices, broth, salt, pepper and cayenne; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat and cook at a gentle simmer until the cucumbers are soft, 6 to 8 minutes.
2. Transfer the soup to a blender (I used the stick blender.) Add avocado and parsley; blend on low speed until smooth. (Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Pour into a serving bowl and stir in yogurt. Chop the remaining 1/4 cup cucumber slices. Serve the soup warm or refrigerate and serve it chilled (better I think.) Just before serving, garnish with the chopped cucumber and more chopped parsley.


MAKE AHEAD TIP: Refrigerate for up to 4 hours.