Tag: SALAD

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY with MENU PLANS & RECIPE LINKS week 16 of 2024 ~ BLOG 366.106

Be sure to join us for Happy Homemaker Monday and link up with our host, Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

It’s cloudy and gray, which is no big surprise 😀 Today’s high is supposed to be around 50 or so and then clear for the rest of the week. Clear will be awesome during the day, but will bring back some cold nights. Levis and a favorite long sleeve t-shirt. I am trading in the UGG’s for tennies in hopes that spring really is here to stay.

THIS WEEK’S TO DO LIST, PROJECTS & APPOINTMENTS
  • LAUNDRY & CLEANING I got caught up on all the laundry and cleaning this weekend. 😀
  • GROCERIES & ERRANDS I only need a few things for me this week, but I’m preparing dinner Tuesday AND Friday for the Eagles and need several things for those meals. Fortunately, I only have to cook for tomorrow and not serve. I have a hair cut and first pedicure for the season tomorrow and will pick up the groceries I need at that time.
  • PAPERWORK, PHONE CALLS, PROJECTS & TRAVELS My main goal today is to get caught up on this category! Yesterday I was heavy into spring cleaning and sorting through linen and bathroom type things. Another friend has been doing the same thing and my car is full of donations from the 2 of us.
  • RECIPE RESEARCH & MENU PLANNING I’m still doing a few slow cooked meals and looking for lighter spring recipes.

WHAT’S ON THE DVR/TV
  • NETFLIX I watched the BRICKLAYER an action packed CIA type movie
  • PRIME We’ve been watching a new series called FALLOUT with Walter Goggins – a bit weird and even raunchy in places, but intriguing too.
  • CABLE The DVR is pretty well cleaned up, but there are a few lingering shows to catch up on – WHEN CALLS THE HEART, SPRING BAKING CHAMPIONSHIP, TRACKER, NCIS, LAW & ORDER, BLUE BLOODS, GHOSTS, YOUNG SHELDON, GOOD DOCTOR…

I’m still trying to finish THE ALICE NETWORK by Kate Quinn on my actual kindle – just can’t talk myself into walking away completely. I did start Fannie Flagg’s I STILL DREAM ABOUT YOU on my kindle phone app which I’ve been reading in waiting rooms and such.

BREAKFAST is always a work in progress for me – it will generally be hot water and a fruit yogurt 😀
4/15 MONDAY
4/16 TUESDAY
4/17 WEDNESDAY
4/18 THURSDAY
4/19 FRIDAY
4/20 SATURDAY
4/21 SUNDAY
DINNER
 SLOW COOKER CHICKEN & DRESSING
OVEN BBQ CHICKEN
BAVETTE STEAK
 BROWN SUGAR BOURBON PORK CHOPS
 COBB SALAD with JALAPENO RANCH
HONEY THYME PORK
 CHICKEN FAJITA BOWLS
DESSERT
 
MARGARITA CAKE with CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
 LEMON BLUEBERRY COFFEECAKE

I didn’t take many photos this week, but did see these adorable chicks up at the feed store. And these bulls were on opposite sides of the road and VERY vocal when the female came trotting up to one of them. It was fun to watch them. 😀

MOZZARELLA WATERMELON TOMATO SALAD ~ BLOG 366.100

This recipe SCREAMS summer, but with the availability of watermelon year round these days we eat it ALL the time.

MOZZARELLA WATERMELON TOMATO SALAD

4 cups watermelon balls
2 cups grape or cherry tomato halves
1 1/2 cups Mozzarella balls
1 small shallot, diced
1/2 cup basil chiffonades
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
1 tablespoon sugar
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Combine watermelon balls, tomato pieces, shallots and mozzarella balls in a large bowl.
  • Whisk together the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, sea salt and black pepper.
  • Pour marinade over watermelon mixture.
  • Fold in basil chiffonades.
  • Chill 1 hour before serving.

TERIYAKI SESAME CHICKEN SALAD

This is the perfect spring salad full of sweet and tangy fruit and asian blended flavors.

TERIYAKI SESAME CHICKEN SALAD
16 ounces fusilli pasta, prepared per package directions and WELL drained
1/2 cup avocado oil
2/3 cup champagne vinegar
2/3 cup teriyaki sauce
Juice of 1 large lemon
1/3 cup sugar
FRESH ground black pepper, to taste
2 cans mandarin oranges, WELL DRAINED
2 small cans water chestnuts, WELL DRAINED
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 1/2 cups honey roasted peanuts or cashews
2 cups torn baby spinach leaves or romaine lettuce
5 ounces dried cranberries (Craisins)
1 large bunch green onions, sliced
1/2 cup minced parsley
1/4 cup sesame seeds

  • Add prepared pasta and chicken pieces to a large salad bowl.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the avocado oil, vinegar, teriyaki sauce, lemon juice, sugar and pepper.
  • Pour over pasta and chicken, tossing to coat well.
  • Top with mandarin oranges, water chestnuts, cranberries and green onions.
  • Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.
  • Just before serving add cashews, tossing well to mix.

SPINACH SALAD with PEACH VINAIGRETTE

SPINACH SALAD with PEACH VINAIGRETTE serves 6-8 adapted from Alli Kelley from Longourn Farms

SALAD
4 cups baby spinach or favorite lettuce mix
4 cups coleslaw mix
+/- 1 cup Craisins
1/2 cup candied walnuts
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese
1 large peach, peeled and sliced
Peach vinaigrette dressing (recipe below)

  • Toss together the spinach and coleslaw in a large salad bowl.
  • Sprinkle in the raisins, walnuts, sunflower seeds and Parmesan cheese.
  • Toss together.
  • Drizzle dressing over, tossing periodically until desired amount is reached.

PEACH VINAIGRETTE
1/4 cup avocado oil
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Juice of 1 large lemon
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup diced peaches (with skin removed)
2 tablespoons celery seeds

  • Blend all the ingredients except the celery seeds in a food processor until smooth.
  • Stir in celery seeds.

GREEK GAZPACHO PASTA SALAD

Gazpacho is Spanish in tradition, but with the addition of the Feta cheese I feel like it is more of a Greek and Spanish fusion. Hubby loves the Mediterranean flavors while I pass on it every time, but it’s a GREAT recipe for a BBQ or picnic.

GREEK GAZPACHO PASTA SALAD
1 pound rotini, prepared al dente and rinsed in cold water and drained

SAUCE
14 1/2 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
1/4 cup FRESH basil leaves
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 cup avocado oil (or olive if you prefer)

  • Process tomatoes, basil, garlic, red pepper flakes and red wine vinegar with a pinch of salt until smooth.
  • Drizzle with avocado oil and gently fold in.

VEGGIES
1 cucumber, halved, seeded, and chopped
1 red pepper, halved, seeded, and chopped
1 yellow pepper, halved, seeded, and chopped
1 small red onion, small diced
3/4 pound grape tomatoes, halved

ASSEMBLY

  • In a large mixing bowl gently toss veggies together.
  • Drizzle with sauce mixture and fold again.
  • Cover and let marinade for 15-30 minutes.

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup (or more) pitted black olives, sliced
3 green onions sliced thin
FRESH minced parsley for garnish

  • JUST before serving fold in olives, cheese and green onions.
  • Season to taste.
  • Garnish with parsley.

AVOCADO PEACH CHICKEN SALAD with HONEY LIME VINAIGRETTE

AVOCADO PEACH CHICKEN SALAD with HONEY LIME VINAIGRETTE

SALAD
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, grilled to perfection and sliced 😀
1 large peach, washed and sliced
1 large RIPE avocado, sliced
1 bunch green onions or 1 large shallot, sliced thin
4 strips bacon, diced, browned andcrisp
3 cups torn romaine or watercress lettuce

  • Arrange ingredients on plate.
  • Drizzle with vinaigrette.

HONEY LIME VINAIGRETTE
1/4 cup avocado oil
1/4 cup QUALITY balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon molasses
Juice of 1 Lime
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
Pinch FRESH ground sea salt

  • Add ingredients into a glass container or jar with a lid.
  • Shake jar vigorously until completely combined.
  • Serve on your favorite salad.
  • Store in the refrigerator.

NOTES: When using cold from the refrigerator make sure you shake it up REALLY well to re-blend the ingredients. I usually run my jar under warm water before giving it a good shake and if that doesn’t mix it enough a few seconds in the microwave should thin it enough to make mixable!

BLT SALAD with CREAMY CHIVE DRESSING

Looking for the perfect summer meal without turning on the oven or grill? Well, here it is, the PERFECT summer salad full of flavor and satisfying to everyone. I make the dressing in a double batch so there is always extra and preparing the bacon the night before after the sun sets keeps you cool too.

BLT SALAD with CREAMY CHIVE DRESSING
12 ounce package center cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
FRESH ground sea salt, to taste
FRESH ground black pepper, to taste
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup finely minced FRESH chives
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1-2 tablespoons buttermilk (yep, that reads milk :D)
1 head green leaf or Bibb lettuce, torn into pieces
1 package grape tomatoes, halved
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced OR 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion
8 ounces of sourdough bread, WELL toasted, lightly buttered and cut into cubes

  • Whisk together the vinegar, garlic and salt. Let stand 10 minutes. This will help mellow the flavor a bit.
  • Whisk in sour cream and avocado oil until well blended.
  • Fold in chives.
  • Thin with milk to desired consistency.

 

  • In a large salad bowl toss together the lettuce, tomatoes, onions and bacon pieces.
  • Fold in toasted bread pieces.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Drizzle with dressing.
  • Garnish with additional chives and ENJOY!

DECONSTRUCTED PORK EGG ROLL SALAD

DECONSTRUCTED PORK EGG ROLL SALAD serves 2
1 + 1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin angularly – separate whites from greens
2 stalks celery, halved lengthwise and sliced thin angularly
2 ounces sweet chili sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons Ponzu sauce (store bought or make your own – recipe below)
1 small package slaw mix (cabbage with shredded carrots and red cabbage)
Fresh Gourmet crispy wonton strips
salt and pepper, to taste

  • Heat oil in skillet.
  • Add pork and white portions of green onions. Add a pinch of salt and cooking until pork is broken up and pink is gone.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of Ponzu sauce and stir to mix well.
  • Remove pork mixture and set aside.
  • Add 1 tablespoon avocado oil to hot pan.
  • Add celery, slaw mix and a pinch of salt and pepper, stirring for a couple minutes until celery is crisp tender.
  • Add pork mixture bak to pan along with remaining Ponzu sauce and stir to mix well.
  • Divide the mixture between bowls and top with crispy wontons and green onion tops.
  • Drizzle sauce over top.
  • Enjoy.

PONZU SAUCE

1/2 cup Bragg’s amino acids
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon mirin (sweet rice wine)
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
  • Cover and chill.

Linked with Deb in Hawaii at Kahakai Kitchen

STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD with BACON VINAIGRETTE

STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD

5 ounces baby spinach
1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
4 slices bacon, chopped
1 teaspoon warm bacon grease
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
2 1/2 tablespoons golden vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon olive oil
1 tablespoon sliced almonds (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

  • Toss together the spinach, strawberries and shallots in a large bowl.
  • Toast the almonds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
  • Transfer to a bowl or plate and set aside to cool.
  • Start the bacon in a cold medium skillet; cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp, about 10 minutes.
  • Transfer bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate; leave the bacon fat in the pan.
  • Take the skillet off the heat and whisk in the mustard and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.
  • Add the vinegar and then whisk in the olive oil.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add the bacon and almonds to the salad, pour over the bacon vinaigrette, and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

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