Happy HOPE IN THE GOOD LIFE new year! It's a great time to begin (or renew) healthy eating habits. Here's a perfect recipe to try because who doesn't love apples? They're nutritious (see our tip below), available year-round, economical, and have a variety to suit everyone's taste- from the super-tart Granny Smith to the super-sweet Fiji (and everything in between!). Use your favorites for this recipe, or mix it up color-wise for a more appealing salad. The lemon juice helps keep the apples from browning and adds just the right amount of tartness. It's easy to turn this salad from a side to the star by adding a protein (diced cooked chicken breast is a wonderful choice), and you have the perfect lunch!
Easy Apple Salad
SERVINGS: 8
PREP TIME: 20 Min
RECIPE & PHOTO SOURCE: food.unl.edu/recipe/easy-apple-salad
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 cup celery, scrubbed with clean vegetable brush under running water, chopped
- 4 apples, gently rubbed under cold running water, cored and chopped
- ¼ cup raisins*
- ¼ cup dried cranberries*
- ¾ cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- ½ cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
- Wash hands with soap and water.
- In a medium bowl, combine celery, apples, raisins, and dried cranberries.
- In a separate small bowl, stir together yogurt and lemon juice.
- Add the yogurt mixture and walnuts, if desired, to the fruit. Mix well and serve.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator up to four days.
Options: *You can use all raisins or all dried cranberries if desired.
Nutrition tip for the month:
Fruits have important nutrients like folate (folic acid), vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. Eating fruit as a part of a healthy diet can reduce the risk of some diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
