On Saturday, I went with a couple of friends to one of my favourite restaurants in Waterloo, Oliver & Bonacini.  As an appetizer, I had the most delicious salad.  It was so good, that I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I had to try to recreate it in my own house.  So, on Monday, that's what I did.

Ingredients:
PC Organic Mixed Greens
1/2 an avacado
1/2 cup black beans

1/4 cup salsa
2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

2 tbsp. Crumbled Goat's Milk Cheese
a little fresh cilantro

First, make your dressing.  I pureed in my tiny food processor the salsa and olive oil. 

Place as many greens as you like In your salad bowl.  Scoop out about 1/2 teaspoon sized chunks of avocado and add those to the greens.  Then sprinkle your black beans (rinsed) over the salad.

Top your salad with your dressing, goat's milk cheese, and fresh cilantro.  If you happen to have some low sodium/high fibre corn chips, you could crush some up and use these as a topping too.

Toss thoroughly and enjoy!

The next day, I was still thinking about the salad, but wanted something warm to eat.  So I decided to make myself a stir-fry inspired by the Southwestern Salad.

Ingredients
PC Organic Baby Spinach
1/4 cup frozen chopped onion
1/2 Avocado
1/2 cup black beans
1/2 cup frozen corn
Divella Tomato Sauce (the best ever - I get it from The Kitchen Cupboard in Listowel)
Olive Oil
Fresh Cilantro
Plain Yogurt
Cajun Seasoning

In my trusty frying pan, I put about 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.  I sauteed the onions for a minute or so, then threw in a few handfuls of the baby spinach.  Then I threw in the corn and black beans.  I put the lid on and let it steam for a couple of minutes before stirring it around.   Then I added about 1/2 a cup of the tomato sauce.  I had some old Cajun seasoning in my drawer that hadn't been used for a couple of years.  But it still smelled good, so I put in about 1 tsp and mixed it all in.  While this was steaming, I scooped out 1/2 teaspoon sized chunks of avocado.  Once I felt the spinach and other ingredients were heated/steamed enough, I put them into my bowl and topped it with the avocado.    It was a little spicy (yum!), so I decided to top it with a little plain yogurt before garnishing with the fresh cilantro.

It was so delicious!