Archives for posts with tag: salad

I love salads. I have a knack for making tasty ones. I really need to be better about posting them. This is one of my current favorite salads. I have been making it quite frequently. A few people have asked for the recipe, so why not get some motivation to sit down and post it. One kid is having his afternoon snack and the other is cleaning up (playing with?) his play doh mess from earlier today. The dishes are done. I vacuumed and washed the kitchen floor this morning. And if I don’t glance over to my left I can pretend the family room isn’t covered in toys and wipes that the toddler took out of the package. Oh what was I doing? That’s right, sharing my Fattoush recipe!

I kind of wing some of the ingredients. A salad by nature can be created that way. I don’t always use the exact measurements for the veggies I include. I am always always always generous with my leafy greens.

fattoush

  • 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves pressed or finely minced
  • sprinkle of salt and fresh black pepper
  • 1 to 1 1/2 packages of Baby Romaine, finely chopped
  • 2-4 vine ripe tomatoes, depending on size. Diced
  • 1-2 cucumbers. Diced
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
  • 1 bunch of green onions, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon sumac
  • 1 container of feta cheese

Whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and salt/pepper in a large bowl. Add all of the greens and veggies. Sprinkle with the sumac and mix well. Top with feta cheese and mix well again. I really mix it a lot to get the dressing covering all of the veggies. I know there is no feta in the photo, I added it at the party. Recently I added it before we left for a party and it was just as tasty.

You can also serve this with pita and chicken. I have served it with chicken shawarma. Very tasty. It is a stand alone dish or a beautiful and delicious side dish.

I love nothing more than a delicious, bright, crisp, veggie filled salad. I am the person who quite literally will get a craving for a salad. Leafy greens are where it’s at! This salad and dressing I brought to a family party yesterday. I have previously made the dressing for other parties. At my son’s 4th birthday it was gone. Not a drop was left.

I do not consume store bought dressing anymore. Unless I am out at a restaurant. In my home though, I always prepare a dressing myself when I want one. They are actually very simple to make. There are no gross added ingredients. The sodium and sugar levels are in check. They are still flavorful! They are fresh!

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Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 lemon juiced
  • 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1/2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove, pressed
  • 1/4 tsp ground mustard seed

I combine all of the ingredients in an Oxo Salad Dressing Shaker. Close that bad boy up and shake well to mix. It is that simple. It is such a tasty recipe.

I do love the dressing shaker. Be warned though, it can pour out a little quickly. So drizzle with caution.

Salad

This is truly up to you and your tastes. For this salad I added spinach, arugula, radishes, purple/yellow/orange carrots, and cucumber. The last time I made this salad/dressing combo for a party I made it with spinach, arugula, orange carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers. The dressing is tasty on any kind of leafy green/veggie combination.

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No new recipe last night! It was make your own meal out of leftovers night. Those are fun too. Spring has been in the air. It was so gorgeous outside yesterday. The warmest it has been lately. All week has been warm but yesterday took the cake.

We have been getting outside every day. Even if it is for a short while.

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As I was sitting on that blanket with the baby last night I wanted a salad. I wanted something fresh, cold, crisp, and light for dinner. Spring and summer scream salads. For me at least. I still had my leftover Lemon Thyme Chicken. I even saved the zoodles/yoodles. I threw together some spinach, arugula, and carrots in a bowl. I cut up the cold chicken, threw that in there. Then I poured the reserved sauce and veggies over the salad. It was delish! Two healthy meals just from one night of cooking.

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To keep at it with this beautiful weather I am going for a run this morning outside. With a new pair of running shoes. Life is better in pretty weather. At least it is when you have recently had a baby and have been cooped up in sub zero temps! I am so excited about the spring and summer I can barely contain myself. I love to be outside. I love to GO places with my boys. I love to have adventures. This weather makes it so much easier. Alexander is getting older. Jackson is practically self sufficient. I expect a lot of adventure is headed our way.

Do you love easy leftover meals? 

Do you love to have adventures in gorgeous weather? What are some of your favorite spring/summertime things to do outside?