Say Yes to Salads
![Chef Kevin Millonzi and Melissa Cummings](/sites/rhodeahead.com/files/field/image/melissa_and_kevin.jpg)
Looking for healthy, delicious recipes that are perfect for summer? Salads can be a satisfying and wholesome option for any meal.
“Salads are incredibly versatile and cater to a range of dietary preferences and restrictions,” said Chef Kevin Millonzi of Millonzi Fine Catering in West Warwick, Rhode Island. “You can use a variety of fresh ingredients to create a balanced meal, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and proteins."
Recently, Chef Kevin appeared with Melissa Cummings, BCBSRI Chief Customer Officer, to demonstrate two salad recipes on the Studio 10 television show. Below are the recipes for you to try at home. As a BCBSRI member, you can also go to a free cooking demonstration with Chef Kevin at a Your Blue Store location or take other free healthy living classes. Sign up for a class.
Caprese Quinoa Bruschetta
Makes 4 servings
Ingredients
2 cups cherry tomatoes, chopped
½ cup part-skim fresh mozzarella, quartered
1 cup grilled corn, shaved off the husk
1 Tbsp. red onion, diced
1 cup quinoa, cooked
1 tsp. chopped fresh garlic
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
4 small slices of fresh whole-grain bread, toasted (1 piece per portion)
4 tsp. balsamic glaze, no sugar added
4 sprigs fresh basil
Kosher salt to taste*
Directions
Combine tomatoes, mozzarella, corn, onion, quinoa, garlic, and olive oil. Mix thoroughly. Season to taste with kosher salt. Top over toasted bread and add balsamic glaze. Garnish with fresh basil.
Nutrition facts
241 calories, 12 g total fat (3 g saturated fat), 11 mg cholesterol, 139 mg sodium, 28 g total carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 9 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 9 g protein
Berry and Farro Salad With Lime Poppy Seed Agave Vinaigrette
Makes 4 servings
Salad ingredients
1 cup farro, cooked
½ cup blueberries
½ cup strawberries, sliced
½ cup blackberries
½ cup walnuts, toasted
1/3 cup watermelon radishes, sliced
1/3 cup cucumbers, diced
1 cup romaine, chopped
1 cup baby arugula greens
Kosher salt* to taste
Pinch of cracked black pepper
Vinaigrette ingredients
3 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. poppy seeds
1½ Tbsp. agave nectar
6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Toss all salad ingredients thoroughly and plate. Thoroughly mix all vinaigrette ingredients and add dressing as desired. Season with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
Nutrition facts (salad)
158 calories, 9 g total fat (1 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 63 mg sodium, 18 g total carbohydrate, 5 g sugars (0 g added sugars), 4 g protein
Nutrition facts (vinaigrette)
162 calories, 16 g total fat (2 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, 1 mg sodium, 5 g total carbohydrate, 4 g sugars (4 g added sugars), 0 g protein
Recipes are used with permission of Millonzi Fine Catering.
*Every ¼ tsp. of kosher salt will add 120 mg of sodium per serving.