Need a Low-Carb Meal Recipe?

A low-carb meal is in store, or should we say “in-market,” for this week’s recipe. Tasty miso soup is filled with vegetables and an excellent source of protein. Also, a fresh Farmer’s Market salad with a sweet-and-spicy twist is a party pleaser and an overall great side dish. Add your favorite meat or tofu to the soup or salad for an extra filling dinner, or, just go veggie. 

Gather at the Poway Farmer’s Market: 

1 head of butter lettuce, chopped

1 container cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

1 pomegranate, add the seeds to the salad

1 container of spicy almonds or pecans

1 log of goat cheese, herb flavor is preferable

1 bottle of balsamic vinaigrette 

1 onion, sliced into 2” ribs

1 head of garlic, minced

1 bag of snap sweet peas, as is

1 bag of snow peas, as is

1 red, orange, and yellow pepper, chopped length wise

2 ears of corn, cut of the cob 

2 carrots, shredded 1 container mushrooms, sliced

1 bottle of olive oil 

Ingredients from the Cabinet or Local Grocery Store: 

1 container miso paste, (ground soy-bean paste)

1 bag of whole wheat spaghetti noodles, or rice noodles

Water

Broth of choice

Salt/pepper

Directions: 

Miso Soup: Saute all of your sliced vegetables in olive oil until a little tender or slightly browned. Concurrently, boil water and cook your noodles. Make sure not to overcook them, in fact, “aldente” is preferred as they will later cook more in the soup. Flavor the water for the noodles with salt. In your soup pan and to your sautéed vegetables, add three cups of water. Let boil, then add three tablespoons of miso paste and mix well to combine. Repeat this step again with three cups of water and three tablespoons of miso paste, this time adding your can or two of broth. Your soup pan, depending on the size, should be full to about three inches to the top. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Once cooked, add your noodles, let simmer another ten to twenty minutes and serve warm. 

Fresh Farmer’s Market Salad: Layer chopped butter lettuce first. Add sliced cherry tomatoes, pomegranate seeds, nuts then cheese. Serve with balsamic vinaigrette on the table and allow people to serve and dress their own salad. 

Miso soup is an ancient Chinese remedy for many different ailments, including colds, the flu, and depression. This soup can be served warm to heal or cheer any mood.

With a light salad, everyone can stick to their low-carb diet. Other than cheese and whole wheat pasta, this meal is mainly veggies. If you have eaters that need an extra boost, grill some chicken breast, red meat, or salmon to accompany these dishes. Gather your friends or family and serve this meal as an option to stay on the diet-track. Here's to goals.