July 8, 2009

Last week we talked about Party Menus, Chips and Dip, Pizza on the Grill, Quick & Easy Recipes, and No-Bake Desserts. Lots of talk about lots of food! We were definitely in ‘party-mode’ in preparing for the holiday. And, unfortunately, I also consumed a lot of party food last weekend and while on our ten-day vacation in Chicago.

Monday morning, I decided that the vacation was over and that it was time to get back on track!  No party food for me for a while. 

I could actually be satisfied with a salad for dinner, but the guys aren’t too thrilled with the idea of just a bunch of green stuff for dinner.  And, to be honest, I’m a little bored with my same old salad recipes so I’m on the lookout for some new ones.

I’ve been so busy since returning home from vacation that I haven’t had time to flip through any cookbooks or browse the internet for fresh salad ideas. A few days ago, I received my new August/September issue of Food Network Magazine. When I found the article on “50 Simple Salads”, I was glad that I had taken a few minutes to look through the magazine.

If you don’t subscribe to the magazine, you can find the  “50 Simple Salads” recipes here. There are a lot of simple dressing ideas and some interesting combinations in some of these salads, but I did say that I was bored, right?

I wonder if my family would try a Watermelon-Feta Salad?

Watermelon-Feta Salad

Or a Squash and Orzo Salad?

Squash and Orzo Salad

This Bacon Bistro Salad looks really good to me. But, of course it does, it’s got fried bacon in it!

Bistro Bacon Salad

It may be an experiment to see if I can get my guys to eat a salad other than a Caesar Salad or an Iceberg with cucumbers, but I’m going to give it a try. Wish me luck!

~LilSis

October 5, 2008

When I was making tonight’s Sunday Supper, it occurred to me that my plate was a lot like the presidential race this year.  There are some similarities on each side, but there is a wide gap in-between the two parties and the two philosophies.  And, yes, I do have an opinion about the race.  A pretty strong opinion I would say, but no, I’m not about to say what that opinion is.  We’d all fight and argue about it, somebody would get mad, and guess what – no one’s opinion would be changed.  So I’ll keep mine to myself.

Back to the supper.  I always enjoy the edamame corn salad that you can get at Whole Foods, because it’s tasty and easy, and pretty healthy.  But it’s a tad too raw-oniony for me, and it just seems silly to pay whatever it costs per pound when it’s only corn and soybeans and a few dressing ingredients.  You can’t put together a dish for less than this little baby costs if you do it yourself.

I was craving the salad today, and decided to try two different variations of it tonight since I had the corn and edamame in the freezer.  One version is Asian-inspired, and one Southwest-inspired.  But, man (or woman) can’t lived on soy and corn alone, so I made a lettuce, tomato and avocado salad to go with it.  In the little political/salad scenario going on in my head, the two edamame corn salads are the democrats and republicans, and the LTA salad is in the gap between them.  Ok, so it’s a little goofy to compare beans and corn to the dems and the reps, but life can get too serious, right?

BigSis Supper October 5

Both of the salads started with sauteed red onion and garlic. The asian variety added toasted sesame oil, olive oil, rice vinegar, lemon juice, garlic chili sauce, and salt, plus cilantro, wasabi powder, and shallot pepper all from Penzey’s.  The southwest version had lemon juice, cider vinegar, olive oil, and salt, with more Penzey’s specialties: shallot pepper, lemon pepper, and  Southwest seasoning.  I have to say both were really good, although I expect they will morph a little bit as they sit overnight.  The flavors will blend, and my lunch experience tomorrow may be a tad different story than my dinner tonight.  I’m slightly fearful that the wasabi powder will rear it’s ugly little green head overnight and come back to bite me in the fanny tomorrow.

And just in case you’re wondering, yes, that whole ding dang plate of food was just for one person! You may have heard that vegetarians eat like birds, so let me dispel that myth right here and now.  We eat!   I ate the whole thing!  My tummy was full to the top, but it was a guilt-free full.  This meal was vegan except for Newman’s Own Caesar Dressing.  It was full of fiber and protein, and a plethora of antioxidants and other goodies for my bod. I eat this way a lot of the time.  I’m not a twig by any means, but I’m not overweight either.  I try to eat for health and energy and fuel most of the time, and don’t worry about a big plate of vittles if it’s good stuff.  Which isn’t to say that I don’t have my crazed Kettle potato chip episodes, because I do!  Life’s about balance, right? Eat well most of the time, and then don’t freak out about your little splurge!

On a serious note, can I just say thank you to Paul Newman for so many wonderful high-quality organic products? And for living a life with a purpose, and apparently without scandal? God bless you, Paul; rest in peace.

~BigSis