Pasta Salad with Corn, Tomatoes, and Avocados

As promised, a few recipes about food.  This salad is delightful.  Each bite is creamy and packed full of flavor. I love the combination of avocado, corn and tomato.  You also have a lot of freedom with this recipe.  If you need to use gluten free pasta you can.  The sauce is pretty basic but feel free to mess with the flavor profile. Use fresh herbs or dried.  I will always encourage my readers to alter any recipe to fit into their family's comfort zone.

A side note, if you will.  Typing with single space and not double space is so WEIRD!  I have been in school these past six months and everything is double spaced with size 12 font.  I feel like such a rebel typing in single space.  Honestly, I kind of like it.

Thank you friends who took the time with my last post to send me messages (public and private).  It meant so much to myself and to my husband.  I didn't know how Cory would react with me sharing such a personal story and experience with the world.  His comment to me was one of relief.  He said it felt good to finally let everyone know that we are not perfect and that our marriage is fragile at times.  We make mistakes and try to learn from them.  I had to agree.  I felt a release too.  Cory said we weren't hiding the fact that we had a dip in our relationship, we just never openly talked about it.  Twenty-eight years is a long time to be married.  If in that time we did not have a few hiccups along the way, I believe, we would never grow as a couple.



Again, thank you for the support and kind words.  I appreciate each comment. They always touch me more than you know.  The private messages tug at my heart.  I believe with all my heart that we are each living and doing our very best at any given time.  Could we be better? Absoultely.  That's not the issue though.  Now is our only reality and it's now that we must live.  Now is how we will shape our future and deal with our past.  Now is sometimes easier than others.  Staying present and living the best NOW that I know is keeping me positive and on track.  Allowing myself to have a down moment is okay too.  It's easier to work my way through those feelings or disappointments instead of harboring them.  When they say to push through your each moment, good or bad,  I really do believe this.

Living an authentic life is raw and complicated.  Living an authentic life will make you more free than anything else.  Being the real you is better than trying to be something you are not.  A lesson that took me a few decades to figure out.

Love you.  It's okay.  Give yourself permission to be okay with yourself.

Oh, and make some pasta salad.

Pasta Salad with Corn, Tomatoes, and Avocados

1 package of your favorite pasta, cooked according to directions

1-2 avocado, diced small

1-2 tomato, diced small

1 cup of corn (frozen or canned) 

1/2 cup cubed cheese (omit if vegan or use vegan cheese)

1/4 cup mayonnaise or Vegannaise 

1 tablespoon chopped green onion

1/4-1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic

salt and pepper to taste

garnish--Chow Mein Noodles (if these fit into your diet plan)

garnish--fresh curly parsley

1.  Prepare ingredients.  Toss together in a large bowl.  Taste and adjust.  You can always add more seasoning but it's hard to adjust if you add to much.  Top with garnishes.

2.  Refrigerate any leftovers.  Good for 3-5 days.

Recipe and Photo's by Sherron Watson

Kale Salad with Maple Dijon Salad Dressing

Well, here I am.  Two weeks into school and my life is busy and exciting.  I have not felt so alive in a long time.  I struggled for quite some time to justify my decision of returning to school and pursuing my education. I was taught that my job was in the home.  I have supported my family and husband and watched with elation as they have met their goals, dreamed their dreams, and obtained their educational degrees as well.  I played the part of supporting actress, high spirited cheerleader and motivational speaker for some time.  I have been a stay at home mom for 21 years.  This role has brought me great joy, and yet recently, I have felt empty.

Something inside of me was not right.  I struggled to place my finger on exactly what was causing me to drop into depression, suffer from anxiety, doubt myself, and, I was aware that I was slowing drifting away from my life.  The island, that is my family, was slowly drifting further from the raft that I was floating in.  I felt the embrace of being pulled under or away.

It wasn't until things came to a head this summer after moving into our home that I realized I needed a direction.  I needed to do something for me.  My unhappiness with myself was affecting my family, my relationship with my husband, and with my life.  I needed a life line.

Facing the strange fear of possibly losing it all--I made a decision.  Cory has never ever once told me to not go to school.  It's the opposite.  He never wanted me to quit and has pushed me onto this course for some time.  I finally took the bait and did what I thought was impossible, I enrolled in school.  Knee shaking, heart pulsing--I was accepted.  I told my family and they have supported me 100%.
  

This one decision will affect our family.  Cory is still working from home but he still needs to work so I have been able to adjust my schedule so that he can work and then take care of Finnley while I am away a few hours each day.  Isabella is back in school for this school year.  Rye is working and her schedule allows her to help while I am at class too.  This whole process is teaching us to work as a team.  I am learning that I can let go of the steering wheel for a while and someone else in my family can drive the "home" ship just fine without me.  I needed to learn this lesson.

 
Cory and Rye are so cute because the other day they reassured me that I did not need to do all of the cooking.  They were capable of making a variety of dishes and they had my blog to fall back on.  I can't tell you how happy this makes me feel.  I still cook a lot but the responsibilities are being shared.

As for me, I feel good.  My spirits are high.  I am like a kid in a toy shop.  I never knew how addicting learning could be.  I am like a sponge.  I don't want school to end.  My goals are hefty and I am looking at 6 years of college but I can do this.

Our meals have become easier and more fresh.  This kale salad is delightful.  The kale and swiss chard work well together to create the base for this winter salad.  I have added a few crunch elements that my family likes but you can always exchange those for things you like more.  

Our favorite part about this salad is the Maple Syrup Dijon Salad Dressing. Twang meets sweet.  Together the flavor is "moorish" in the fact that I want more and more and more.

I hope you can appreciate Finnley as my photo assistant.  I have come a long ways since the first few years of taking pictures.  I had this idea that they needed to look perfect.  Those days are long gone.  The pictures you see are my life.  A busy Mom trying to blog, cook, photograph, write, go to school, clean house, help with homework, do homework, be a partner for my husband and still find time to pursue the things I like to do.  Finnley is my life right now and for now on you may see her foot, finger, hand, head, or shoulder in a picture or two.  I wouldn't have it any other way either. I love those little glimpses of her still small frame.

Too soon, I will have an empty home and my life will slow down.  I am trying so hard to find the balance and help my whole family achieve their goals, dreams, and personal educational needs.

It's challenging but so worth it.

Kale Salad with Maple Dijon Salad Dressing

Salad:

4 large winter kale leaves, center vein removed
4 large swiss kale leaves, center vein removed
1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
1/2 cup dried pomegranates
1/2 cup sesame seed covered cashews
1 lemon, juice only

Dressing:

1/4 cup sunflower oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
REAL maple syrup, to taste
salt if needed
pepper to taste
dash of garlic powder

1. Cut the kale and swiss chards into bite size pieces or narrow strips. I like the strips personally.  Add the remaining ingredients; toss to combine.  Squeeze the whole lemon over the salad and massage into the kale and swiss chard.  This should be done before adding the salad dressing.  Let sit for 15 minutes.

2.  In a small bowl, combine salad dressing ingredients.  Taste you product.  Add more mustard or syrup depending on how you think it taste.  Add salt if you think it needs it. Pour all of the dressing over the salad.

3.  Store left over salad in air tight container and refrigerate.

Chinese Tofu Salad with Cashews

Cory and I used to make Chinese Chicken Salad all the time.  You may remember, it was the salad with Top Ramen added and sometimes served with chicken.  Since we are staying away from a lot of process food the Top Ramen is out.  We also have cut back on our meat.  Cabbage salad sounded boring.  I took the initiative to mix and match my ingredients to come up with a new version for our family and renamed it Chinese Tofu Salad.

It's not exactly like the salad we used to make but it had familiar notes to it.  I think he liked it because he went back for seconds and then thirds.

I used the Fried Tofu from Tuesdays recipe to top our salad.  I like warm protein on my salads.  The process of making fried tofu is in Tuesdays blog post. It is simple and creates a nice warm element to this salad.  

I also toasted sesame seeds and cashews.  The fried tofu, toasted sesame seeds and cashews create a party in your mouth.  The different flavor profiles with the simple dressing explode with flavor and freshness. 

Chinese Tofu Salad with Cashews and Sesame Seeds

1/2 head of cabbage, cut any way you like
2 carrots, peeled and grated
1/2 cup toasted cashews
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
2 stalks of celery, sliced thin
green onion for garnish on top
Fried Tofu-optional (see post for instructions on how to make)

Dressing:

3 tablespoons rice wine
1 tablespoon tamari or soy sauce
3-5 drops of sesame oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1-2 teaspoons sugar or coconut sugar

1.  Mix salad ingredients together.

2.  Combine dressing ingredients together.  Taste to make sure it is balanced correctly. Adjust with more rice wine, soy sauce or sugar.

3.  Pour dressing over salad and toss.  Add tofu to individual plates of salad. Garnish with green onion pieces.

Tofu and Red Onion Salad

I really wanted to name this salad Finnley's Favorite Salad in the Entire World but I think it might be a bit too long.  The girl loves red onions in rice vinegar.

We first had this salad a few weeks ago at our local Japanese restaurant.  I wasn't really sure what I was ordering but I knew that I liked tofu and red onions.  What could there be to not like? NOTHING!  It was delicious and Cory barely got any of it.

When we got home I knew that this needed to be added to our monthly menu line up.  To be honest the tofu freaked me out.  I had no idea what I was doing when it came to frying tofu and set out on a mission to dig a little deeper.  I own several cookbooks that helped me to figure it out.  

The method that I am using in this recipe is by far my favorite because its a simple process of heating up some oil, tossing the cubes of tofu in a starch and frying until golden brown.  I experimented with deep frying the pieces and it was messy and my tofu was a bit oily.  I think I am not set up to deep fry in my home kitchen and I will let the restaurants tend to that process.  I might need to invest in a Fry Daddy, but again, the pan fried method worked for us.  

The tofu was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside--perfect!

I fry up a whole block of extra firm tofu because it reheats well for other dishes. I also used it in the recipe coming out on Friday for my Asian Tofu Salad with cashews and toasted sesame seeds.

A few weeks ago we had company and I threw this together in a very short amount of time.  My brother-n-law and sister-n-law thought the salad was a success.

During the photo shoot, Finnley, could not hold back.  She sat right down and started helping herself to her salad.  She was too cute to say no and so I continued shooting and she continued to eat. I love the picture above with her cute feet straddling her salad.  She is growing up too fast and these little moments remind me of that.

Below I will show you step by step how I prepare the tofu to fry.  The salad starts with four simple ingredients: red onion, rice vinegar, salt and pepper.

Tofu and Red Onion Salad

1/2 red onion, sliced very thin
1-3 tablespoon rice vinegar, depends on amount of onion used
salt and pepper
1 block of extra firm tofu
oil for frying
starch for coating

1.  30 minutes before you make your salad prepare the tofu.  See the images below to help you with this step.  Also cut the red onion and add the salt, pepper and rice vinegar.

2.  After 30 minutes, cut tofu into slices and then small pieces.  Toss in starch of your choice (corn, arrowroot, potato).

3.  Heat enough oil to cover the bottom of  a skillet.  Add tofu pieces one at a time.  They might clump together if you toss them all in at once.

4.  Fry on each side until golden brown and remove to a cookie rack until ready to add to the red onion.

5.  Top red onion salad with warm tofu and serve.

TOFU Instructions
This is how I remove the excess water from my tofu.  I wrap it in a dish towel and add something heavy to the top of it.  The dish towel will absorb the extra water and create a more dense block of tofu for frying.

I slice the tofu into 1/2 widths.

I then take each slice and make it 6 pieces.

Heat my oil, and add each piece one at a time.  

Let get golden brown on each side. Remove to cookie rack.

Swiss Chard Salad with Lemon

I first had this salad in June of this past year.  We were leaving Maryland and our friends had invited us over for a goodbye luncheon.  Natasha served this salad with a few others.  THIS SALAD is amazing!

I have tweaked it a bit from her original recipe, but let me tell ya, I make this salad for every guest that comes to our home....AND?  They love it.  I think love may not be a strong enough word.  People are shocked to be eating Swiss Chard. Most of them have never had Swiss Chard and instantly fall in love with the texture and flavor.  It's hardier than a regular green salad.

I believe what makes this salad so beloved is its simplicity.  The combination of lemon, bread crumbs (Panko in the picture above) and olive oil riles up their taste buds.  The balanced dressing makes you notice how perfect a salad can with a few ingredients.

Everything we make doesn't have to be fancy to be good.

I find Swiss Chard year round where I live.  This particle variety is called Rainbow Swiss Chard.  The stems are different colors.  I personally don't include the stems in the salad. I use a small pairing knife and trim the stem out of each leaf.  I find the stem to be tough.

I toast the Panko crumbs in a dry cast iron skillet over medium high heat.  They turn a nice golden brown. I have also used croutons that I make up ahead of time from old bread.  I crush them in a bag and toast them like the Panko crumbs.  If you are gluten free either omit the bread crumbs all together or use a gluten free variety.

If you use cheese, then I would recommend a nice strong Parmesan to finish this salad.   I also have friends that add bacon.  We don't add bacon because we don't eat it but if you do....then go for it.  

This salad stores in the refrigerator well.  I have heated it up the next day for a few seconds in the microwave with excellent results.  The bread crumbs/Panko crumbs get a little soggy but this does not bother me.

I live across the street from a beautiful bay along the Oregon Coast.  We often see bald eagles flying and nesting in the area.  On the day that I shot the pictures for this piece I turned and looked out the window to see a bald eagle fishing right in front of me.  I had no time to get a stronger lens so I used what I had.  I captured this image below.  I tell you, the excitement and thrill that pulsed through my veins to watch this spectacular bird in its natural habit and so close to my house...was incredible.

Swiss Chard Salad with Lemon

1 bunch of Swiss Chard, with the stems removed
1 lemon, juice only
1/4 cup olive oil,  add more as needed
1 cup of Parmesan cheese, shredded finely
1 cup of toasted bread crumbs or Panko crumbs
salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon minced red onion
Bacon--optional and use what you like

1.  Slice the swiss chard leaves into bite size pieces.  In a bowl add all of the ingredients and toss.

2.  Taste the salad and adjust to your taste buds.  We like ours tart so I add more lemon usually.

Curry Chicken Salad

Here we are already, the middle of January.  Our year is already off to a start with time running a race that is still 11 months away until we see the finish line. We have had a chilling month so far.  I have felt a little house bound as the temperatures in Maryland are in the teens at night and the mid to low 30's in the afternoons.  We even had a few days with the  high temperatures struggling to reach 21 degrees.  OUCH--that is way too cold for me to be outside with the little kids.

We have spent our time indoors catching up on some reading.  I decided to read a few books that my daughter read for one of her college literature classes.  So far I am on book three of five.  I have read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner.   I just started reading And the Earth Did Not Devour Him. The books haven't been what I would call light reading.  I find joy in reading books that are not necessarily in my wheel house of what I would normally choose.  These books are challenging me to think from different perspectives and giving me a glimpse into the lives of those that are less fortunate, struggling to find their place in this world, and trying to be the best person that their circumstances have allowed them in their lifetime.  I believe this is a great way to spend my time indoors.  I have also found time to knit and work on a few quilts.

I am proud of Isabella.  Over Christmas break the whole "I want to read a book" ignited within her little soul.  She has struggled to consider herself a reader because she finds certain sound combinations hard to pronounce and has been wary of reading on her own.  The first time she picked up a book and decided to read it herself almost brought a tear to my eye. I was sitting in the living room reading my book and she walked to our school bookshelf and pulled out a Toad and Frog book.  She spent the entire day reading the whole thing!  It was over 100 pages.  From that day forward she has proclaimed to all of us that she LOVES TO READ.  As a parent this is music to my ears and as her teacher my heart melted.  I knew of her struggle to want to read and how hard we worked on her vocabulary, blends and sounds and her struggle to read each day.  To see her find joy in reading has been so inspiring to me.

There is not a day that goes by that she does not say how much she loves to learn and that she loves school.  

I hear her reading everything now.  I hear the pride in her voice as she finally understands that to read and write, though challenging to learn at first, will open doors for her future and allow her to see a broader picture of the world she lives in.  We had a talk the other day about how fortunate and lucky she is to live during a time when she can learn to read and how empowering knowledge is as she moves forward with her life.  

Well, that is how we have been spending our time during this cold January in our home.  I have managed to make a few things that I think are worthy to post on the blog.  One of which is this Curry Chicken Salad.  I love chicken salad and my family loves curry. Combining the two isn't anything new in the culinary field but for our family it has been a great addition to our lunch menu.   

Thanks for reading and following along.

Have a great day!

Curry Chicken Salad

3-4 cups of cooked chicken pieces (about 3 chicken breast)

2 ribs of celery, sliced thin

1/2 cup of dried cranberries

1/4 cup red onion, diced small

1-2 Tablespoons of yellow curry

1/2 cup whole cashews

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4-1/2 cup mayonnaise

squeeze of half a lemon

NOTE:  You really need to adjust the seasonings to what you and your family enjoy.  We like this salad to be made with lots of curry and creamy with extra mayonnaise.  Adjust the measurements accordingly.

1.  Combine all of the ingredients in a medium bowl.  Stir to combine.  Taste and adjust seasonings.

2.  Serve with crackers, on a sandwich, or with lettuce boats.  My kids also like this served with rice.  I personally like the salad warmed up a bit.

 Written by Sherron Watson

Apple Cranberry and Brussels Sprout Salad

I am so excited that it is finally officially Fall.  Our family has been on vacation this past week and the cooler weather made our touring and camping activities more bearable.  We have learned that in the Mid-Atlantic the months of September and October are reserved for all of our outdoor activities. The summers are just too hot and humid.

Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware

We decided to do a "staycation".   It is our first time doing this but we found ourselves visiting sites in our state and surrounding states that are popular tourist attractions for lots of people outside of this area.  We were anxious to learn and see what was in our own back yards that drew so many people here each year.

Tuckahoe State Park, Maryland

Tuckahoe State Park, Maryland

Our fist day started with a trip to the National Zoo in DC. The zoo was perfect.  I felt the size was not too large.  The animals were very active on the day we arrived and this made Isabella happy.  We saw the baby panda, even though he is not quite the size of a baby anymore, and the baby tigers. They were great to sit and watch.  The lionesses (there were two) had their paws full with 6 baby tiger cubs.

The Maritime Museum was up next. I have been to St. Michael's many times. We always skip the museum because our thought was that it would be boring. I thought the kids would not enjoy learning about the history of the watermen and ship building history that we are surrounded with here in Annapolis. I am glad to admit that I was wrong. The museum is wonderful. They had plenty of hands on activities and toy structures for Isabella to climb on and explore. A lot of reading was done but they had so many exhibits that we were all intrigued with the processes of the history. I would highly recommend it for all families.

Our family loves to camp and this was what we decided to do the last few days.  We headed over to Delaware and had a pleasant day/night at Cape Henlopen State Park.  We made our way back into Maryland and camped for 3 nights at Tuckahoe State park.  I have to say that the state parks in our area are beautiful.  They have plenty of hiking trails to keep a young family busy.  We rented bikes and canoes too.

Overall our week was a success. We felt rested. The kids did great.

Vacations are important to our family and this was something that I needed. I have been a bit burned out lately with so much going on and this week allowed me to disconnect from technology and focus on the little kids without a lot of outside disturbances.

National Zoo with the whole family.  Drake and Rye still had school and work so they were able to do only a few of the planned events with us for the week. I will take what I can get. 

This salad was something that I could throw together and pack in the cooler while we were camping. I served it with our favorite marinated flank steak recipe.

I use a mandolin to cut the apples, celery and brussels sprout thinly. This is not required to make the dish it just made it easier for me. You can use a sharp knife to cut everything too.  I like that the salad is filled with thinly slices vegetables and the apple.  The presentation is pretty.

The dressing is light. You can tell from the pictures that it is not thick and creamy. If you want it to be this way then add more mayonnaise or double the dressing recipe. We just prefer it to be lightly dressed.

Apple Cranberry and Brussels Sprout Salad

Serves 4-6

10-12 brussels sprouts, sliced or shaved very thinly

1 small apple, sliced thin

1 celery rib, sliced thin

3 thin slices of red onion, diced small

small handful of cranberries

Dressing:

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

zest from one lime

1/2 lime, juice only

pinch of salt

1 teaspoon of maple syrup for sweetness (add more if needed)

1.  Combine the salad ingredients in a medium bowl.

2.  Blend the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

3.  Combine and mix well.  Serve immediately or should be kept in the refrigerator.

Written by Sherron Watson

Slow Cooker Skirt Steak Salad

Easy dinners are in full swing at our home.  I am utilizing our slow cooker as often as I can.   I like having the steak ready and feeling like I put very little effort into an amazing meal.

The steak can be shredded or pulled apart and used in tacos, on top of salads (like the picture above), eaten with a side dish or shoved between two pieces of your favorite bread and grilled,

This steak recipe is versatile.  I like that and I think you will too.

Slow Cook Skirt Steak Salad
Recipe adapted from Louanne's Kitchen

2 lbs skirt steak
2 teaspoons of garlic powder or 3 cloves minced
1.5 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian Seasonings
 1 teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
2 large onions, sliced thin
1/2 cup of water

1.  Combine skirt steak and seasonings in a large storage bag and marinate over night.

2.  Cut onions thin.  I used my spiralizer to thinly slice the onions.  Place onions in the bottom of a large slow cooker.  Lay steak on top of onions.  Add cup of water.  Cover.

3.   Cook on low for 8 hours.  Remove steak, shred or pull apart and serve.  I served the onions and the steak on a platter and let my family decide if they wanted a salad or to use it in some gluten free tortillas I had on hand.  If served with the tortillas then make sure and have some yummy toppings too.

Written by Sherron Watson

Wedge Salad with Dairy-Free Herb Dressing

I try to recreate recipes for dishes, sides or condiments that I cannot have anymore.  This is one such recipe.  I miss Blue Cheese.  It's true.  I don't sneak or even attempt to convince myself that I can eat it anymore.  I used to.  Then I would pay the price and be sick for a week.

Age and experience has a way of making your mind listen when your taste buds say it's okay to sneak or cheat.  I make all of our salad dressings.  I wanted a creamy version of something that I could enjoy with some basic salads like this wedge salad.  I like wedge salads.  I like the combination of bacon, tomato and bright crisp green lettuce.

This salad dressing is an attempt to recreate a recipe I enjoy with a similar flavor profile.  Now lets be honest: Blue Cheese is strong.  It has a distinct flavor.  It carry's it's own weight in any recipe. So no this will not taste anything like Blue Cheese dressing unless you add the Blue Cheese.  It does have a creamy herb texture and I feel that if this is how I need to eat a wedge salad to feel like I am experiencing something that I have missed, then this is the recipe I will be using from here on out.

The pictures that are posted do include the Blue Cheese because my family has no issue with this cheese.  It is just me with the food issues.  I keep a small amount of the dressing for myself and make the rest the way they like it.

This is how my family functions while living with my food triggers and intolerances.  I try my best to allow them to eat as "normal" and "healthy" as possible but sometimes they want the real deal. Well, with this recipe they get a dairy free base and a snippet of Blue Cheese.  They couldn't tell the difference until I told them.

My kids will never let me live down the fact that I use coconut milk for almost everything.  It is probably true but when you have food issues you use what you have to.

Wedge Salad with Dairy-Free Herb Dressing

Dressing makes about 1/2 a cup

1 head of iceburg lettuce, quartered

1 small tomato, diced into small pieces

4-6 strips of bacon, fried and cut into thin pieces ( I buy turkey bacon)

Dressing:

1/4 cup of coconut cream (from the top of a can of full fat coconut milk-do not shake before opening)

1/4 cup of mayonnaise or Vegannaise

1 tablespoon of fresh flat leaf parsley

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (more might be needed to adjust flavor)

salt/pepper to taste

3-4 drops of Coconut Aminos

2-3 capers, diced fine (optional)

1/4 cup Blue Cheese crumbles (This is not dairy free.  Only use if dairy is not an issue.  Pictures are with blue cheese because my family likes this addition.  I cannot eat the blue cheese so I leave my portion blue cheese free.)

1.  Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl.  Whisk together until blended.

2.   Cut head of lettuce into four quarters.  Place on a side salad plate.  Sprinkle with bacon pieces and diced tomatoes.  Add salad dressing.

3.  Serve cold and store leftovers in the refrigerator.

After the photo shoot I chopped all of the salads and threw them into one big bowl. 

Pear and Pea Shoot Salad

I found pea shoots at Whole Foods a few weeks ago and impulsively bought them.  It is not unusual for me to buy unique food items to try in new recipes but I just wasn't sure about the pea shoots.

Their appearance was bright, fresh and very crisp looking.  They were beautiful. This is what drew my eye to them.

I am trying so hard to eat more salads.  I just get bored easily with the same salad ingredients that I have on hand.   The pea shoots are a great addition to this simple yet elegant lunch salad.  I thought that peas and pears would go well together visually, as well as, blend together to make a nice sweet bite.  To counter the sweetness I added some sliced salami.  I think proscuttio would also add a nice balance to the sweet fruit.  I threw in some pistachios for crunch and blueberries to balance the color palette of the plate.

This is a recipe that doesn't need a recipe because it was literally thrown together for a quick lunch but when I saw it composed on the plate, I knew I had to share and take a few photos.

Enjoy this salad.  I hope that you can find pea shoots in your neck of the woods.  If not, I am sure any sprouted grain or sprout would work in place of the pea shoots.

Pear and Pea Shoot Salad 
Makes one salad

1 pear, sliced
1 handful of pea shoots, with bottoms trimmed
5-8 slices of salami
sprinkle of pistachios, shelled
sprinkle of blueberries, washed

Dressing:  I used extra virgin olive oil and some lemon balsamic vinegar drizzled across the salad.

1.  Arrange ingredients on your plate and then eat.

 Easy, simple and beautiful.

Written by Sherron Watson

Quinoa Fruit Salad #2 with a Creamy Yogurt Dressing #SundaySupper

Summer is here and we are just chillin' on this gorgeous holiday weekend.  I can't believe how cool and utterly perfect the chill in the air in Maryland is right now.  We are normally in the high 90's and maybe even in the triple digits this time of year and the humidity is off the charts--like you could cut it with a butter knife but not this year--YAHOO!

For Sunday Supper we are sharing a group of recipes that are refreshing and cool--just like our weather at the moment.  I made some quinoa salad this past week and this was our families favorite of the two fruit salads that I made.  I like this one too because the dressing is light but the kids like this one because the dressing is creamy.  

I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious salad.  Feel free to experiment with a variety of fruit combinations.  I made this again for the 4th and used cherries, blueberries , jicama and kiwi.  I also changed the quinoa to a triple combination of red, white and black.  I like a salad where the ingredients can be juggled based on what you have at home.  This is one of those that allows you to use a variety of your favorite flavor combinations.

To find a slew of other COOL desserts, go to the end of this post. 

  

Quinoa Fruit Salad #2 with a Creamy Yogurt Dressing 

Makes about 4 cups of salad

1 cup of prepared (cooked) quinoa
3 cups of fruit: peeled, chopped or sliced
1/2 cup Greek Gods Honey Yogurt (this is the brand I use)
2-3 tablespoons Lemon Balsamic Vinegar (buy the good stuff)
pinch of salt (optional)

1.  Prepare quinoa according to directions on the package.  RINSE and rinse and then RINSE again.  I rinse my quinoa about 4 times.  I even let it sit on the table for a few minutes just to be sure that I get the bitter flavor washed away.

2.  Dice, slice, peel, and cube the fruit of your choice.  I used for this salad: kiwi, jicama matchsticks, peaches and raspberries.

3.  In a small bowl whisk together yogurt and balsamic vinegar.  The flavor of the balsamic can also be varied.  I think that lemon and lime pair well with the quinoa.

4.  In a medium bowl combine the dressing, quinoa and fruit.  TOSS!  Taste and adjust the dressing.  I like ours to be light enough to see the fruit but my kids thought the opaque version of the dressing was better--LOL  You decide.

5.  Serve.  Keep in refrigerator if not served right away.

Summer Chillin’ with My Sunday Supper Friends

Brisk Beverages

• Camping Sangria from Simply Healthy Family
• Kid Friendly Pina Colada from Soni’s Food
• Mocha Madness Milkshake from Desserts Required
• Orange Papaya Smoothie from Basic ‘n Delicious
• Salt Savory Greek Yogurt Lassi from Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
• Skinny Watermelon Mojito from Peanut Butter & Peppers
• Southern Sweet Tea from Gluten Free Crumbley
• Strawberry Mango White Sangria from The Texan New Yorker
• The Polar Cap Drink from Seduction in the Kitchen
• Vanilla Root Beer Cream Soda from Feed Me, Seymour

Chilled Starters

• Avocado Hummus Dip from Shockingly Delicious
• Chilled Beet Soup (Chlodnik) from Curious Cuisiniere
• Chilled Cucumber-Buttermilk Soup from The Wimpy Vegetarian
• Gazpacho from Jelly Toast
• Green Gazpacho from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
• Homemade Bak Kwa (Grilled Chili Pork Jerkey) from Food Lust People Love
• Rabarbersuppe Med Vin (Danish Rhubarb Wine Soup from Culinary Adventures with Camilla
• Mexican Flag Guacamole from What Smells So Good?
• White Gazpacho from The Little Ferraro Kitchen

Snappy Salads and Sides

• Antipasto Tortellini Pasta Salad from Neighborfood
• Broccoli Salad from Flavor Mosaic
• Cold Peanut Noodles from girlichef
• Greek Orzo Salad from Casa de Crews
• Korean Salad from Noshing With The Nolands
• Layered Salad from Delaware Girl Eats
• One-Hour Pretzel Bites from Mess Makes Food
• Pesto Pasta Salad from Supper for a Steal
• Picnic Orzo Salad from A Mama, Baby & Shar-pei in the Kitchen
• Red, White and Blueberry Watermelon Delight from Granny’s Down Home Sassy Southern Cooking
• Spinach Salad with Curried Apple and Cashew Dressing from Peaceful Cooking
• Tortellini Pesto Salad from Serena Bakes Simply from Scratch
• Tuna and Potato Salad from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Quinoa Fruit Salad from Simply Gourmet
• Risotto with Melon from Confessions of A Culinary Diva
• Watermelon, Mango & Arugula Salad from Take a Bite Out of Boca

Refreshing Main Dishes

• Buffalo and Blue Cheese Chicken Salad from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad from Cookin’ Mimi
• Jalapeno Ham Salad (for sandwiches) from Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen
• Melon and Salami Sandwiches on Rye from Highlands Ranch Foodie
• Shrimp Ceviche from Kudos Kitchen by Renee
• Surimi Salad from Pescetarian Journal
• Tuna Tartare from Kimchi Mom
• Zucchini Lasagna from Nosh My Way

Cool Confections

• Berry Ice Cream Bomb from Jane’s Adventures in Dinner
• Cherry Cream Cheese Ice Cream from Magnolia Days
• Chocolate Pistacho Gelato from La Bella Vita Cucina
• Dairy Free Lemon Ice Cream from Healthy. Delicious.
• Lemon Curd Parfait from Life Tastes Good
• Lemon Thyme Ice Pops from Country Girl in the Village
• Mocha Latte Ice Cream from The Foodie Army Wife
• No Maker Required Berry Ice Cream from Hot Momma’s Kitchen Chaos
• No-Bake Penuche Drop Cookies from Killer Bunnies, Inc.
• No-Bake Raspberry and Japanese Yuzu Citrus Bars from NinjaBaking.com
• Olive Oil Gelato from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
• Pluot Ice Cream from Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Raspberries and Cream Panna Cotta from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Salted Caramel Gelato from Manu’s Menu
• Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Pie from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
• Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream Sandwiches from The Redhead Baker
• Strawberry Yum Ice Cream from Brunch with Joy
• Trio of Fruity Ice Cream Toppings from Foxes Love Lemons
• White Chocolate Fruit Dip from Hezzi D’s Book and Cooks

C Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our#SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here—>Sunday Supper Movement.

Written by Sherron Watson