The Power of Raw Foods – 3 Easy Salads To Make!

A salad of fresh vegetables lightly doused with a zetsy mix of lemon juice, garlic and olive oil offers excellent antioxidant protection — not to mention a punch of flavor. These summer salad ideas below are just a sample of the tasty and healthy meals you can create using raw produce and a simple lemon-garlic-olive oil dressing. 

Mediterranean Tomato Salad: 

A vegan twist on the classic tomato and mozzarella summer salad, this recipe has all of the bright flavor of the traditional version, but without the skin-sabotaging cheese. The key is to let the salad marinate for an hour before serving to help the tomatoes soak up the dressing. 

• 2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced 
• 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped basil 
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 
• Juice of a large lemon 
• Freshly ground black pepper 

Preparation: 

• Place tomato slices on a serving plate. 
• Arrange basil and onion atop tomato slices. 
• In a bowl, mix garlic, olive oil and lemon juice and pour over vegetables. 
• Sprinkle with ground pepper to taste.  

Yield: 4 servings.  

Italian Summer Salad: 

This Italian summer salad gets an antioxidant boost from fennel, radish and olives — and adding oregano to the lemon-garlic-olive oil dressing gives the salad its distinctive Italian flavor. The result: an easy Italian salad recipe so delicious you won’t miss the cheese and croutons. 

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes 
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced 
• 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces 
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fennel 
• 1/4 cup red onion, sliced into rings 
• 6 black olives, pitted and sliced 
• 4 radishes, thinly sliced 
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 
• Juice of one lemon 
• 1 clove garlic, crushed 
• 1 pinch dried oregano 
• Freshly ground black pepper 

Preparation: 

• Mix together the first seven ingredients. 
• Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and oregano. 
• Pour dressing over salad, toss lightly and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste. 

Yield: 4 servings. 

Cuban Black Bean Salad Recipe: 

Colorful bell peppers contain antioxidants, as well as vitamins A and C, which can help fend off the signs of aging. Celery’s high water content keeps skin hydrated. Black beans, which are packed with protein and fiber, turn this healthy salad into a satisfying main course. 

• 15-ounce can black beans 
• 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, chopped 
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped 
• 1/2 cup chopped celery 
• 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped 
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice 
• 1 clove garlic, crushed 
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin 
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

• Toss together beans, yellow and red bell peppers, celery, onion and parsley.  
• Whisk together lemon juice, garlic and cumin. 
• Lightly toss salad with dressing and serve. 

Yield: 4 servings.