Exotic Melon Salad

Cantaloupe and honeydew melons are in season right now.  They are delicious to enjoy in a cool summer salad.  St. John Dietitian Marianne Wetherill and News On 6 reporter Rick Wells share a recipe for Exotic Melon Salad.

Friday, August 8th 2008, 12:11 pm

By: News On 6

Ingredients:

¾ cup Adzuki beans, canned or boiled

¼ cup low fat vanilla yogurt

¼ tsp cardamom

2 Tbsp lime juice

2 cups cantaloupe, diced

2 cups honeydew, diced

2 tsp minced ginger

½ cup cilantro, chopped

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, cardamom, lime juice, ginger, and cilantro.

2. Dice the melon into small pieces and place in a large bowl.

3. If using canned adzuki beans, place these in a colander and rinse with water thoroughly. Add the rinsed and drained adzuki beans to the melon and combine ingredients until evenly mixed.

4. Combine the yogurt dressing with the melon-bean mixture.

5. Allow to chill at least 2 hours before serving.

Yield: Makes 5 generous 1 cup servings

Nutrition information per serving: 106 calories, 4 g protein, 23 g carbohydrate, 0.5 g total fat with 0.2 g saturated fat, 0.6 mg cholesterol, 3.8 g dietary fiber, 36 mg sodium

Exchanges per serving: 1 ½ fruits, ½ very lean protein

Source: Adapted recipe by Tim Ferrell and Miriam Young. Nutrition analysis by Marianne Wetherill, RD/LD St. John Medical Center