Category Archives: Salad

Cobb Salad

Cobb Salad

Lets talk salad.

It’s so easy to make salad for dinner but a good, hearty salad that is filling and fulfilling may take a few extra minutes. Sometimes it takes the pressure of making a big ol’ meal and going back to basics.

Here is a simple but incredible Cobb Salad.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb cripsy cooked bacon
  • 2 cups chopped cherry tomatoes
  • 2 cups cubed ham
  • 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
  • 1/2 cup cheese, shredded
  • 3 eggs, hard boiled
  • Homemade croutons
  • Blue cheese dressing

Wash and dry lettuce.

In 2 large bowls divide all the ingredients for two main dish salads. Equally portion out the toppings onto each salad.

IMG_6841Don’t forget to add fresh cracked pepper at the end. 
IMG_6843

Top with dressing and viola, you have an incredibly healthy, hearty salad that is bound to fill you up.

*Fresh tomatoes from the garden and real bacon verses bacon bits will make this salad that much better. (Please don’t buy bacon bits) Bacon isn’t meant to be preserved and sat on the shelf for 9 months.

Pasta Salad

Traditional pasta salad never gets old. With all the creativity in the world and the delicious salads we all come up with, traditional pasta salad still covers most tables all throughout summer.

We ate this while up visiting my parents a couple weeks ago. My mom is the chef I’ve learned to mimic throughout the years. Her great food, amazing desserts and her love for cooking has been exactly what I’ve tried to emulate throughout my years of successful cooking. Love and food will consume a recipe leaving you with nothing left but greatness.

Here is a great staple pasta salad recipe with the secret sauce of—Cesar Dressing. It really is the secret to cut back on the tang from Italian dressing but not take away from the flavor. Try it out, mmm so delicious!

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb Spiral Pasta
  • 1 can Olives, sliced
  • Handful Kalamata Olives
  • 1 large Carrot, chopped
  • 1 large Green Pepper, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cup Tomatoes, chopped
  • 1/2 medium Onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup Italian Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Caesar Salad Dressing

Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and let cool.

Meanwhile, while the pasta is cooking, begin to dice and chop all vegetables.

IMG_5505

Sprinkle vegetables on top of cold pasta and add dressings.

IMG_5506

Mix well while trying not to eat all of the olives. :)

IMG_5507

Of course pasta salad is so divine, you could always eat it by itself, but tonight’s menu was Sausage Sandwich with rice.

IMG_5528

I must confess, Cesar salad dressing gives the perfect flavor to this salad with a bit of tang from the Italian Dressing. Yummy!!!

IMG_5533Don’t go fancy tonight, make this staple pasta salad before summer ends!

Grilled Romaine Hearts

This is a great twist on your typical salads. If you are like us, we tend to eat salad on a “too” regular basis. We love our greens and love salads, especially as my garden is growing really great toppings for a nice crisp summer salad. And though salad is great, we like to switch things up a bit now and again too.

Now this is a salad that made me very excited and was really easy to grill. I buy romaine from Costco for $3 for 6 romaines. I made this the other night for the family and my husband preferred to eat it as is, rather than add all the yummy goodness once grilled. Both ways are really good but my way was a little less healthy but too delicious to deny. :)

Ingredients:

  • 1 Romaine heart, sliced in half
  • 1/2 lemon
  • Fresh cracked pepper
  • Sea Salt
  • Garlic Salt
  • EVOO
  • Dressing of choice (optional)
  • Glazed praline nuts (optional)

Wash and slice romaine in half lengthwise.

IMG_5262

On a plate, or grill basket, place romaine to keep from falling apart while seasoning.

IMG_5263

Season with salt, pepper and garlic salt.

IMG_5264

Cut lemon in half and squeeze throughout both romaines.

IMG_5265

Now you are ready to grill.

IMG_5272

Place face down on the grill for 2-3 minutes. Once lightly golden, remove with tongs.

IMG_5278

Eat as is! My husband prefers it as is but tonight I wanted a smidgen of blue cheese dressing and glazed praline nuts. My way was less healthy, but DEFINITELY not worth arguing about. :)

IMG_5282

Served with Bacon Wrapped Sausages.

The Best Potato Salad

This recipe is very simple for potato salad and is rich in flavor leaving your mouth watering for more.

My husband and his step dad embarked on my cooking yet again. Tonight’s menu: Barbecued Chicken with potato salad and fresh grilled garlic green beans.

I’ve actually never made potato salad as my mom makes the best and I typically don’t crave such food because it can often be too rich, too mushy, too mustardy (if that’s even a word). I’ve had store bought to potluck potato salad and never really desire it because it never is “right.” Well, today I decided to make it for the first time as I have been craving this for some odd reason and to my surprise I love the flavors.

If you are so-so with potato salad, this recipe is a must try.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ lbs Russet potatoes
  • 1 lb red potatoes
  • 1 cup mayonnaise (NO miracle whip and no light mayo)
  • ½ cup ranch dressing
  • 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
  • 2 baby dill pickles, finely chopped
  • 2 hardboiled eggs, grated
  • ¼ tsp celery salt
  • ¼ tsp garlic salt

In a large pot, add diced potatoes and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes. (Do not over cook as you don’t want your salad to be mushy) Drain and rinse with cold water. IMG_5215

In a large glass bowl, combine mayonnaise, ranch, celery salt and garlic salt. Add to potatoes and stir well.

IMG_5217

Place potatoes in a glass bowl and add chopped celery.

IMG_5218 IMG_5219

Add finely chopped pickles.

IMG_5220

And grate the eggs directly into potatoes.

IMG_5221

Give the salad a good stir. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

IMG_5222

Serve with BBQ Chicken and grilled beans and corn.

IMG_5231

 

So delicious!