Healthy doesn’t have to taste bad.  I know it’s still winter, so this salad is still hearty and the rice and chicken can even be served warm.  And after indulging during Christmas on rich foods, something light sounds so good.

Cumin Salad Dressing

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tbsp. honey
1/2 tsp. cumin
salt and pepper to taste

Place all the ingredients in a jar or bottle with a cap.  Shake vigorously to make the dressing.

Rice Bottom Salad

2 cups of brown rice
1 cup salsa

1 head of romaine lettuce chopped
1 cup of grape tomatoes cut in half
1 can of black bean rinsed and drained
1 cup of frozen corn thawed
1/2 cup red onion chopped
Rotisserie chicken or turkey chopped

Cook the rice with the salsa and correct amount of water according to your rice cooker or the package directions.

On a plate, place a scoop of rice, then some lettuce and then all the rest of the ingredients (or let everyone choose what they want on their salad).  Drizzle with the dressing.

I served this salad with Light Mini Corn Cakes (I’m tired, so I’ll post the recipe for these tomorrow).

So, as a promised, here is the recipe for making the Pie Pops I made yesterday.

Apple Filling

3 cups of apple chopped very small
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon

Mix all ingredients together.

Easy Pie Crust

1 cup Crisco (vegetable shortening)
3 cups flour
1/2 cup cold butter
1 egg
about 5 tbsp. cold water
1 tbsp. white vinegar
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar

In a bowl mix together the flour, sugar, and salt.   Using a pastry knife, cut in the butter and shortening until it resembles coarse meal.  In a small bowl beat egg with a fork.  Add the vinegar and water to the egg.  Pour the egg mixture into the flour mixture.  Using a fork toss into the dough just comes together.  You do not what to over mix the dough (it will make it tough).  You should see bits of butter and shortening in the dough, this is what makes your pie crust flakey and tender.  Wrap in plastic wrap and put in the fridge for at least an hour.

Here’s the step by step on how to put the pie pops together.

1. Soak wooden popsicle sticks in water.  (They won’t burn in the oven then)
2. Roll out the dough on a well floured surface.

3. Cut out two hearts for each pop.

4. Cut a smaller heart out of the top for a vent.  Keep the little heart for the top (because it’s cute).

5. Put about 2 tbsp. of the apple filling and place in the center of the bottom heart.

6. Brush the sides of the bottom heart with an egg wash (that’s the glue to keep the pie together).

7. Place the popsicle in the center of the filling then put the top heart over the apple filling and using a fork seal the sides of the pie.  (Sorry my picture doesn’t show the popsicle stick, I forgot to add it).

8. Brush the tops with more egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake on parchment paper in a 350 F oven for about 15 mins.