Mediterranean Rice Salad
Contributed by: Chris WebAdmin. of RecipesNow.com
Salad Dressings: Delicious and Smart For Your Heart
(NAPSA) - Here's a saucy idea. While it has long been known that salad is good for you, researchers are now finding that salad dressing may also have health benefits. A recent Harvard University study found that salad dressings and mayonnaise may help protect against fatal heart attacks in women.
"Women who consumed one to two tablespoons of Italian-type salad dressings almost every day had about a 50 percent reduction in heart disease," said Dr. Frank Hu, the study's author. It's because the dressings contain an important polyunsaturated fat called alpha-linolenic acid, found primarily in soybean and canola oils (the main ingredient in salad dressings and mayonnaise), flaxseeds, walnuts and many dark green leafy vegetables.
Reducing fat can deprive the body of vital nutrients that play a critical role in health, transporting fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Besides dressing up salads and delivering vitamins, salad dressing can be used to marinate steak or spice up a chicken sandwich.
Ingredients:
- 3 C. Instant brown rice, cooked
- 1 Can (15 oz.) Black beans, drained, rinsed
- 1 1/2 C. Cucumber slices, quartered
- 1 C. Tomato, seeded, chopped
- 1/2 C. Red onion, chopped
- 1/4 C. Fresh parsley, chopped
- 3/4 C. Regular or low-fat Italian dressing
Directions:
Mix all ingredients except dressing in large bowl. Add dressing; toss to coat. Season to taste with
salt and pepper.
Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Serving Size: Makes 5 (1-cup) main-dish servings
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