I fell in love. . .with Vermont.  After a lovely weekend at Blog Brulee with good food, connecting with friends, and much needed outdoor time, it’s time to get back into the kitchen.   Inspired by the green rolling mountains and fresh air, I am going to dabble with cilantro for this dish.  I know it’s one of those herbs that you either love or turn your nose up at.   To me, cilantro imparts a refreshing and clean taste.

Here’s the view from my window of Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont.  Need I say more? Today, my mind is taking me to hiking in the trails and the snapping branches under foot.  I am thinking light fare — that’s jam-packed with nutrients and energizes your body for the day ahead.  Whatever path you are traveling on today, let’s lighten the load a bit with a cilantro-inspired wrap.  Did you know that cilantro is a type of parsley?  That’s great news because that means it has ‘carminative’ properties - meaning it can fend of gas and belly bloating!  Who doesn’t love that?! I add cilantro to smoothies,  soups, chili, wraps and sandwiches.  It adds a fresh taste, plus a touch of green that pervades the palette of any dish so nicely.  For this salad-in-a-wrap add whatever ingredients you like, but keep it simple!

Black Bean, Avocado and Apple with Cilantro-Lime Salad-In-A-Wrap

Serves 2

Ingredients

1/2 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 ripe avocado, diced

1/2 medium apple (any variety you like), diced

6 sprigs cilantro, coarsely chopped

1 small lime, quartered

A pinch of Kosher salt

2 6-inch whole grain wraps

Directions

Toss black beans into a medium bowl with avocado, apple and cilantro.  Squeeze lime quarters into it and add salt.  Mix gently.   Spoon half mixture into each wrap.  Fold over and eat right away.

Nutrition Information (per wrap): Calories: 221, Total Fat: 8 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Trans Fat: 0 g, Sodium: 68 mg, Carbohydrates: 34 g, Dietary Fiber: 4 g, Protein: 7 g

What kind of wraps do you like?  Do tell.

Enjoy eating simple,

-Vicki