salads

I have always been a salad lover but never really stuck to eating salads as a meal.  Lately, in an effort to get rid of what I call and am not afraid to admit "the winter beginnings of a beer gut" I have been eating fresh salads for lunch.  My lunch salad is lovely and contains only a little bit of dressing and no meat.  I have wanted to get Shaun on the salad wagon too, at least for some of our suppers, as he complains about the "BG" too... on himself... not me!  In an effort to do this I have tried to come up with salads that have meat added to them.  The problem I find is in the dressings.  Mexican or Tex-Mex salads are easy.. just throw on some salsa to counter act the dryness along with some chicken.  I love it but it will get old and you can't just throw ranch dressing on everything.  So I employ the help of my beloved library.  I found tons of books to grab online and have sent to my local library plus a few extras that had salad in the name and seemed fun enough to place on hold too!

 

Does this not sound like fun in a jar?!? 

And goodness knows I've got the jars to do it!

 

 

On the list for this one.  It's on order.

 

 

The thing I love about the warmer months is that it is never too late to throw some seeds in a pot of dirt and before you know it... fresh greens!

 

 

 

 

My spring mix growing at the day care.  Lovely to be able to snip a few leaves to go with my romaine for lunch.

Made into a healthy lunch for me.

 

Hey... here's an idea... check out a book from the library instead of staring at your phone or kindle or whatever you choose to stare at.  It will probably reduce your stress level not to mention get your eyes off of the blue glowing screen. 



On The Menu

On The Menu is a series that shows what's On The Menu at our house from blog posts and cookbooks that I have come across.  I am really enjoying sharing the wonderful recipes that I have found with you and hope that you enjoy them too!

Barely-Blanched Broccoli Salad

Photo and recipe from: kalynskitchen.com                

I am a broccoli lover.  I eat steamed broccoli and brown rice for lunch several days a week.  I swear by broccoli being the culprit of my finger nails growing so good.  This recipe sounds easy and divine and will be a perfect addition to grilled chicken or fried fish.  Yum!  Truthfully... I've never bought feta cheese ( I know... nerd).  But it's true.  I hope it comes in a small quantity from the store as this recipe doesn't take very much.  Maybe we could put it on regular salads too.

Black Bean, Rice, and Cilantro Salad

Photo and Recipe from: kalynskitchen.com

Being a rice lover, a black bean lover and pretty much any vegetable that will go with... lover, this salad looks right up my alley.  I found it listed on the blog under 90 no-cook lunches.  This recipe makes 8-10 servings so I can see myself making it for supper for Shaun and I both then taking the rest for lunch at the day care.  Maybe even wrapping some up in a tortilla with cheese if I'm feeling sassy.  

Thanksgiving Morning and Recipes

I am a big fan of Thanksgiving morning.  Although our family gathering is not held at our house I still have lots to do and wouldn't have it any other way.  I have my standard dishes that I make every year, cranberry relish, sweet potatoes, pecan pie, sometimes deviled eggs.  I also like to have the parades on and even though I don't have the antenna attached to my TV I can still run in the other room to see what's marching down the New York and California streets all morning.  There is also a favorite Thanksgiving episode of Will and Grace that I like to watch.  Thanksgiving is certainly a day full of tradition. 

 

Here are a few recipes that I use the very morning of Thanksgiving.  For starters I have to say that I changed my recipe for sweet potatoes a a few years ago when I found The Pioneer Woman.  Mine were pretty good until I made hers... dang!  You can find the link to her recipe HERE.

 

 

  My Cranberry Relish recipe has made an appearance on the blog before

 HERE.

 

A wonderful Blackberry Jello salad from my Grandmother Brown's recipe archive is a good refreshing salad to have on a Thanksgiving plate.  Find the recipe HERE.

 

 

Pineapple Casserole is another favorite Thanksgiving table staple that my Grandmother made.

 

 

A good Pecan Pie recipe never hurt anybody!

 

 

And a little Soda Cracker Fudge to snack on after the turkey settles would be nice!

 

 

And a little something new to add sparkle to your life, and to my eyes because it is my absolute all time favorite congealed salad not just because my Grandmother made it but because it is the best, Strawberry Salad. 

 

 

Right click and print if you wish.

 

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

 

 

 



What I'm Lovin Right Now

When I ordered my garlic from Burpee, I also threw in a packet of mixed lettuce seeds.  When they got here I was surprised to see that they were actually pellets containing several kinds of lettuce seeds.  I quickly popped them in to the garden at the DC and into an enamelware bowl-turned-planter on my front porch.  Until now I've not grown lettuce before and I had no idea how much I would enjoy the fresh taste of homegrown lettuce. I like to pluck off a small branch just to munch on going in and out of the house.  I have even put in a second planting to be ready after we use the first crop and will do it again once more.  The best thing is that I can move my planted to the covered porch if a frost is predicted and I think it should still be ok.  If not... lessen learned.  I have enjoyed it so much I am planning on a spring crop.  Oh and I have also planted spinach and turnip greens.  YUM! 

 

 

The spinach has so far done better in the garden at the DC rather than in the pot.  Either way it may just produce a decent crop for the two of us.

 

Hoppin Your Way

Hi to all! Easter is this Sunday and out home has been elected to host our family's Easter lunch and egg hunt this year! I am so tickled. I was talking menus with my sister this morning and thought I would share a loved recipe from my Grandmother's cookbook with you. Each holiday I try to make something that I think my Grandmother might have made and brought with her and choose the recipe from her collection. Here is the salad that I chose for this holiday.




Blackberry Salad


2 small boxes blackberry jello (or mixed berry)
1 small can crushed pineapple
1 carton sour cream (softened)
2 cups blueberries or 1 can
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans


Drain blueberries and pineapple - save juice. Dissolve gelatin in 2 cups boiling water. Add juices, stir and add fruits. Pour into casserole dish. Chill until congealed. Mix sugar, sour cream, cream cheese and vanilla. Spread smoothly over jello. Sprinkle with nuts. I generally use pecans for the nuts.


I always love a fruity gelatin salad with a holiday family dinner.. I probably get that from my Grandmother.


Happy Easter!