Celery and Cucumber Salad

A fresh summer salad idea with Mint and Parsley from Ideal Protein Lohja, Finland and RainbowSmiles.

Ingredients:

• 6 Celery stalks, chopped
• 1 English Cucumber, peeled, seeded and thinly sliced crosswise
• 1/3 cup fresh Flat-leaf Parsley, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh Mint, coarsely chopped
• 2 Tbsp Extra-virgin Olive Oil
• Coarse Salt
• Freshly ground Black Pepper

Directions:

1. Toss all ingredients in a bowl, saving the salt and peper to season to taste just before serving.

Pizza Tater Tots

Here's another fun and healthy recipe for the family to try from Ideal Protein Lohja, Finland.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 cups Cauliflower, grated
• 1-2 Egg Whites, beaten (use the same number of egg whites as you use cups of cauliflower)
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/2-1 teaspoon mixed Herbs: Oregano, Basil, Marjoram, Thyme
• 1/2 package sweetener (Truvia/ Splenda) to cut bitterness of dried herbs (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 400F.
2. Beat egg whites well, but not stiff.
3. Add herbs, spices, and baking powder and mix.
4. Add a bit at a time to the cauliflower. It should be able to hold together when scooped onto a baking sheet and not be runny. 
5. Place baking paper (parchment paper) on a baking sheet and scoop balls of the mixture onto it, forming them into tater tots. There will be a bit of liquid. Spray/drizzle with a bit of olive oil. Note: If your mixture is runny, you can spoon it into a cupcake pan sprayed with a bit of olive oil instead of using a baking sheet. 
6. Bake for about 20 minutes, longer or shorter depending on if you want a bit of crunch to the cauliflower or softer with a baked outer shell. 
7. Eat as is, or dip in Walden Farms sugar-free low carb ketchup.

Crab Cakes and Zucchini Noodles

Crab cakes have never been so healthy (from Ideal Protein Arizona).

Ingredients:

• 1 Package Ideal Protein Potato Puree, prepared
• 1 Can of Crab Meat, chunky
• 3 Egg Whites
• 1/4 cup Chives, chopped
• 1 Garlic Clove, minced
• Lemon pepper
• Dash salt or other seasoning that does not have sugar
• 1 medium Zucchini, made into strips with a peeler

Directions:

1. Steam the zucchini strips as you make your crab cakes. 
2. Whip up egg white until frothy.
3. Add chopped chive, minced garlic, seasoning and mix. Then add Ideal Protein Potato Puree and mix well. 
4. Drain the crab meat and fold into the mixture. 
5. Heat up your non-stick pan on medium to low heat and add 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil. 
6. Form the mixture into small patties. Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping as it browns and then covering with a lid until fully cooked. 
7. Serve on a bed of steamed zucchini.

Raspberry Meringue Cookies

A neat little treat for those craving a cookie (from Ideal Protein of Wellness Choice).

Ingredients:

• 1 package Ideal Protein Raspberry Jelly 
• 4 egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar

Directions:

1. Preheat over to 120 C (250 F)
2. Add salt and cream of tartar to the egg whites and beat until it holds a shape.
3. Slowly add Ideal Protein Raspberry Jelly while you continue to beat until stiff.
4. Place a piece of baking paper (parchment paper) on a cooking sheet and squeeze out your cookies.
5. Bake for about 15 minutes and check. Cookies should not be wet at all. Cook an additional 10-30 minutes depending on your oven. 
6. Let cool.

Roasted Zucchini and Basil Rosettes

A delicious and lovely zucchini dish.

Ingredients:

• Zucchini, 6
• Basil, one bunch
• Olive oil 
• 1-2 cloves crushed Garlic (optional)
• Sea Salt to taste 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven at 150C / 300F
2. With a vegetable peeler, peel strips of the zucchini length wise, so that you have thin, long strips.
3. Roll the ribbons into rosettes and nestle closely into your baking dish of choice. I used a small gratin dish about 22cm diameter for 6 zucchini.
4. Sprinkle with garlic if using and nestle basil leaves in between the rosettes.
5. Drizzle olive generously over the dish and insert into the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
6. Sprinkle with a little sea salt to finish.