Category: SALADS, SALSAS & SLAWS

Company is Coming – Tried and True or a New recipe??? Maybe just a simple SALAD



OUR FIRST VISITORS!!!


A fun time IS INDEED being had by all, and why not… Jackie’s favorite Aunt, her cousin, his wife and a teenage daughter (teenagers, god help me) have come to our little condo in paradise and we are having the time of our lives!

!Dave here from MY YEAR ON THE GRILL. As always, I am so surprised when I CAN COOK THAT!


But today, I want to be a little less surprised.  Meaning… When company is coming and you want to make a good “foodie” impression on them… Do you try an exciting new sounding recipe, create something from the top of your head, do your best tried and true recipe…  Or work a new interpretation of a tried and true…


Somehow, I have decided that making the same thing in exactly the same way is not very appealing to me.  So, I decided to make one of my better recipes, but add a bit of island flair…


Last week on my “normal” site, I posted a recipe for Terriyaki Bowtie Spinach Salad.  I had gotten the recipe from a fellow blogger, Melanie from THE SISTER’s CAFE.  I did a very unusual thing for me…  I followed Melanie’s recipe as she wrote it.  If you go to her post (click HERE), Melanie listed a few additional ingredients as optional.  But really, if you have a plate of spinach, do you need to add parsley?  Adding the oranges and water chestnuts was already inching the price up.  So, unless you have them on hand, do as I did and leave out the craizins and parsley, … Here is what she wrote…

Spinach Salad With Teriyaki Bowties 
submitted by Melanie sisterscafe.blogspot.com

16 oz. Bowtie pasta, cooked and cooled
1 – 2 bags of fresh baby Spinach
2 small cans Mandarin Oranges
1 Red Pepper, chopped
1 can Water Chestnuts
1 bunch Green Onions, chopped
1 cup Honey Roasted Peanuts or Cashews
1/4 cup Sesame Seeds, toasted
2 cups torn cooked Chicken

Dressing:
1 cup Vegetable Oil
2/3 cup White Wine Vinegar
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper
2/3 C. Teriyaki Sauce
5 Tbs. Sugar

Cook bowtie pasta according to directions, drain and cool while whisking the dressing together in a large bowl. Marinate cooked bowtie pasta in the dressing for 1 hour or longer in the fridge. Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl and pour the teriyaki sauce and pasta over the salad, toss together and serve. If it’s just a few of you, make individual salad servings; keeping the salad and bowtie sauce separate for the rest of the week (no one likes a soggy salad).

This sauce is terrific!  Beyond terrific in fact.  The whole thing blended so well.  It was a perfect addition to my new series on what to do with those rotisserie chickens that are so cheap here in paradise… a raw whole chicken is $10… A precooked rotisserie chicken is $6… If I can get a good explanation for the price difference, I would be very interested…  But in the mean time, I am buying one a week, and posting a series of recipes on what to do with the leftovers… but I digress…




They are company, so I wanted to show off a little.  Instead of the rotisserie chicken, I made an island inspired Blackened Chicken.  I recently covered a how to post on my “normal” site for blackening.  I am sure 😉 that you all read that piece (click HERE if you did not).  So I don’t need to remind you that blackening is not BURNT , and it is NOT a spice, it is a cooking process with butter and spices charred to the outside of the meat, and then the meat is baked to a proper internal temperature.  In this case, I melted 1 tablespoon of butter for each breast (in this case, 4), added 1 TBS of Cajun spices per breast (4). Got that very hot (just barely starting to smoke).  Put the breast into the butter/spice mixture for 2 minutes.  Listened to it sizzle and watched it smoke just a little.  Turned the breast over and charred the spices and infused the butter into the breast for another 2 minutes.  Then I popped em in a 350 degree pre-heated oven until my remote temperature prob read 165 degrees (about 30 minutes).


I have already bragged about this salad once on my own site.  The addition of the blackened chicken really set this apart as something special.

The sweet terriyake sauce was excellent the first time I made the recipe.  Adding a Cajun spiced blackened chicken to the sweet made for an even better tasting combination… Even the teenage daughter (teenagers, god help me) had a second helping…

Please, if you should try this… Goof around as much as you like with the salad… Peppers, mushrooms, pine nuts, scotch… go ahead, add what ever you like… Why not.  BUT, the dressing for this is the real star of the recipe.  Give this dressing a try as listed.  you will not be sorry!


So,  I return to the question I originally asked…

Company is coming…

Something new
Something tried and true
Something tried and true, but with a new twist???

I need to know, More guests are coming to visit.  There is a lot of pressure to cook for someone’s vacation.

But also, who knows when the ladies (and Chris) will accept my invitation for the first annual OUR KRAZY KITCHEN summit meeting… Cooking for that group of culinary stars… Now that would be pressure!

KICKING POTATO SALAD

We are in that moving mode again and I’m developing recipes based on the ingredients on hand. On the flip side our niece & hubby are coming for a BBQ this weekend and we really wanted some potato salad so I threw together what we had and voile’ we have a new recipe!

NOT YOUR MOTHER’S POTATO SALAD
2-3 pounds potatoes, washed well
6 eggs, hard boiled
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 +/- cup Bob’s Bleu Cheese dressing
1 1/2 teaspoon Frank’s red pepper sauce
1/3 cup sweet pickle relish
2 tablespoons orange champagne vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
paprika for garnish








  • Hard boil eggs. Cool and set aside.
  • Boil potatoes in salted water until tender. Cool and set aside.
  • Drain pickle relish in sieve for 10 minutes to remove excess juice.
  • Mix together the bleu cheese dressing, hot sauce, vinegar, salt and pepper, onions and garlic until well blended. You may or may not need to add more dressing to reach the desired consistency.
  • Grate the hard boil eggs into the bowl and toss well.
  • Grate 1/2 of the potatoes into the bowl and toss until well blended.
  • Chop remaining potatoes into bite size pieces and fold into mixture.
  • Chill well.
  • Top with paprika garnish before serving.

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TUNA PASTA SALAD

Remember that less than stellar dinner I told you about the other day? Well I had about 4 ounces of pasta left and wasn’t sure what to do with it. So I coated it in about a tablespoon of safflower oil and 2 tablespoons of champagne vinegar overnight. Then the next day I added a can of drained tuna, chopped onions and a handful of aged white cheddar cheese. Let me just say YUM!

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2 1/2 BEAN SALAD

I love 3 bean salad, but I hate kidney beans. So, I developed this recipe to cater to my own likes. If you like kidney beans, add them back in.
2 cans green beans
1 can wax beans
1-2 oz. jar pimentos
1 cup white vinegar
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons salt
  • Drain beans and pimentos and place into a jar with enough room for the liquid.
  • In a sauce pan dissolve the sugar and salt into the vinegar and bring it to a boil.
  • Let it cool.
  • Pour it over the beans.
  • Marinate at least 24-48 hours for the best flavor.

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CHAMPAGNE SALAD

CHAMPAGNE SALAD
1 large wedge romaine lettuce, torn into bite size pieces
2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
1 small avocado, sliced
2 kiwis, skinned and sliced
1 small red onion, chopped
1 orange peeled, segmented and halved again
1/3 cup peanut oil
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons sugar
salt & pepper to taste
  • Whisk together peanut oil, champagne vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt & pepper. Chill for several hours.
  • Prepare veggies and toss well.
  • Drizzle salad all over and toss again.
  • Enjoy!




CRAB SALAD & HOMEMADE 1000 ISLAND DRESSING

CRAB SALAD & HOMEMADE 1000 ISLAND DRESSING
CRAB SALAD
8 ounces Louis Kemp Crab, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1/3 cup minced red onion
salt and pepper
mayo (about 1/4 cup)
Romaine lettuce
Roma tomatoes, sliced
Snap peas, halved

  • Wash lettuce, peas and tomatoes. Arrange on plate. Salt and pepper.
  • Mix crab, celery, onion, salt and pepper together until well blended using enough mayonnaise for desired consistency.
  • Place a large scoop of crab salad over the romaine mix.
  • Serve over chopped romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes and snap peas.
  • Top with dressing.

1000 ISLAND DRESSING
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
3 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
1 heaping tablespoon minced red onion
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper

  • In a mini blender blend all ingredients to desired consistency.

We interrupt this regularly scheduled meme to bring you Grumpy Guy Salad & Garlic Cheese Bread

GRUMPY GUY SALAD
1 head romaine salad, cut into bite sized pieces & washed

1 orange, peeled, sectioned and cut into pieces
1 kiwi, peeled and chopped.
1 small bunch scallions, sliced thin
1 ripe pear, chopped
1 small bunch asparagus, blanched and cut into bite sized pieces
1 cup snap peas, cleaned & halved
1/3 cup peanut oil
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons sugar
salt & pepper to taste

  • Wash and prep fruit and veggies.
  • Place in a large salad bowl.
  • Whisk together the peanut oil, champagne vinegar, sugar, salt & pepper until well blended.
  • Pour over salad and toss well.
  • Serve with Garlic cheese bread

GARLIC CHEESE BREAD
1/2 cup salted butter
3 cloves garlic
dash of white pepper
3/4 cup grated aged cheddar cheese
sourdough bread

  • Melt butter in a small sauce pan.
  • Mash garlic cloves.
  • Add garlic and cook until golden.
  • Add cheese, salt and pepper whisking until well blended.
  • Spread on sourdough bread.
  • Broil until golden.

Avocado Citrus Salad

Unfortunately our scheduled guest host became unavailable so you’re stuck with me! I hope you enjoy this refreshing salad.


AVOCADO CITRUS SALAD
2 medium ripe avocados, peeled & sliced
2 medium oranges, peeled & sectioned
1 medium pear, cored & thinly sliced
1 cup grapes, halved
1/2 cup snap peas, halved
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
8 cups torn salad greens
1/2 cup peanut oil
Juice of one lemon
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Pepper to taste

  • Whisk together the oil, vinegar, sugar, lemon juice and salt until sugar and salt are completely dissolved.
  • Pour the dressing mix over the avocados and let sit while you prepare the remaining ingredients.
  • Toss remaining ingredients in salad bowl.
  • Pour the dressing over salad and gently toss to coat well.
  • Serve immediately.

wildatheart

Would you like to be a guest host at Our Krazy Kitchen? We are selecting guest hosts for our new Thursday meme Guess Who’s Coming for Dinner. If you have a good recipe to share let us know!

Champagne Salad ~ Dieter’s Delight

CHAMPAGNE SALAD
1 large wedge romaine lettuce, torn into bite size pieces
2 Roma tomatoes, sliced
1 small avocado, sliced
2 kiwis, skinned and sliced
1 small red onion, chopped
1 orange peeled, segmented and halved again
1/3 cup peanut oil
3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons sugar
salt & pepper to taste

  • Whisk together peanut oil, champagne vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, salt & pepper. Chill for several hours.
  • Prepare veggies and toss well.
  • Drizzle salad all over and toss again.
  • Enjoy!




wildatheart

Tuna and Bean Salad ~ Simple Saturday

Is it really Saturday? Again! Time flies, I swear. The older I get, the faster it passes me by…kinda freaky. But this simple meal is anything but freaky bad segue? with it’s pantry and refrigerator staples. It is one of my favorite things to throw together….plus, it’s packed with protein! Simple Tuna & Bean Salad

find the original post here on girlichef
from Mark Bittman’s Kitchen Express

This is more of a “guideline” than a recipe…you use what you have in your pantry! No white beans? Use black beans or red beans! No tuna? Use salmon or crab! Switch up your fresh herbs to match your substitutions and you have an endless variety of Simple Saturday meals!!

Mix a cup or so of precooked or canned cannellini beans (drained) with a can of good tuna (packed in olive oil), a handful of chopped parsley, salt, pepper, a teeny bit of garlic (optional) or shallot (or red onion, or scallion, or whatever), and, if you have it, a sprig of rosemary. Drizzle with olive oil, toss, adjust seasoning and serve.

Have you made something Simple this week? Please share it on Mr. Linky and then show some love by visiting other people who have linked! Do you have any favorite Tuna Salad combos? Leave a comment and give us some idea! See you next Saturday…

Simply Delicious Sunday ~ Crab Salad & Homemade 1000 Island Dressing


CRAB SALAD & HOMEMADE 1000 ISLAND DRESSING
CRAB SALAD
8 ounces Louis Kemp Crab, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
1/3 cup minced red onion
salt and pepper
mayo (about 1/4 cup)
Romaine lettuce
Roma tomatoes, sliced
Snap peas, halved

  • Wash lettuce, peas and tomatoes. Arrange on plate. Salt and pepper.
  • Mix crab, celery, onion, salt and pepper together until well blended using enough mayonnaise for desired consistency.
  • Place a large scoop of crab salad over the romaine mix.
  • Serve over chopped romaine lettuce, sliced tomatoes and snap peas.
  • Top with dressing.

1000 ISLAND DRESSING
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
3 teaspoons sweet pickle relish
1 heaping tablespoon minced red onion
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper

  • In a mini blender blend all ingredients to desired consistency.

He all but licked his plate and drank the rest of the dressing straight from the bottle.

♥♥final blog signature. ♥♥