CHICAGO, July 2, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Along with warmer weather and sunshine, summer offers garden-fresh fruits and vegetables, which help you look and feel good. Learn how to dress them up as mouth-watering sensations this season with CanolaInfo's "Get Dressed for Summer" Recipe Collection. Making your own dressings is easy and pays off in terms of both taste and nutrition.
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"This is a fantastic time of year to take advantage of farmers markets and enjoy fresh produce," says Robin Miller, M.S., host of the Food Network's "Quick Fix Meals with Robin Miller," who developed the CanolaInfo recipe collection. "Homemade salad dressings add so much flavor and can be prepared in minutes."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that may help protect against chronic diseases. Compared with people who eat few fruits and vegetables, those who eat more generous amounts* are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, stroke, some types of cancer and perhaps heart disease.
CanolaInfo's "Get Dressed for Summer" Recipe Collection showcases the bounty of fresh summer produce and flavor advantages of homemade dressings. The fresh ingredients of the dressings complement the natural flavors of fruits and vegetables, while adding their own zest. Each recipe can be prepared in just 10 to 15 minutes and is made with canola oil, which has the least saturated fat and most omega-3 fat of all common cooking oils. Recipes include:
- Zucchini, Squash and Grape Tomato Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
- Mixed Berry, Cucumber and Mint Salad with Lime Dressing
- Wilted Rainbow Chard with Seared Eggplant and Parsley Vinaigrette
- Spinach Salad with Seared Bok Choy, Ginger and Cilantro
- Fennel-Orange Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
- Caramelized Corn and Red Pepper Salad with Chives
"There is no easier time of year to make a commitment to eating healthy than summer," says Miller. "With the abundance of fresh produce available, everyone has plenty of options to make delicious, fresh and nutritious dishes. Using canola oil in dressings allows the flavors of fresh ingredients to shine, while adding to their nutritional value."
The complete "Get Dressed for Summer" Recipe Collection is available at CanolaInfo.org. To find a farmers market near you, go to http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets.
* To determine how many cups of fruits and vegetables you need in a day, go to www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/form.html.
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