Salads

I’ve been in the mood for salad lately, so we’ve been making some different ones.  Here are some of our favorites, in case you’re also in the mood for salad. 

I love the House salad at Dewey’s pizza, so we re-created it a couple weeks ago:

Dewey’s House Salad

Salad:  Mix of field greens and romaine lettuce, toasted pine nuts, dried cranberries and crumbled goat cheese. 

Dressing:  Balsamic Vinaigrette

I used my father-in-law’s balsamic vinaigrette – it’s delicious:

Mike’s Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Mix together 3 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1/4 tsp. basil or oregano, and 1/4 tsp. garlic salt.

This is my favorite spinach salad.  One of my mom’s recipes:

Mom’s Spinach Salad

Salad:  Baby spinach, sliced red onion, sliced fresh mushrooms, crumbled bacon (4-5 slices), 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced.

Dressing:  1 c. salad oil, 1/2 c. dark vinegar, 1/2 c. sugar, 2 Tbsp. salt, 1/3 c. ketchup

My sister made this recipe from Better Homes and Gardens for Christmas.  Yummy:

Tossed Greens and Grapes Salad

Salad: 1 (5 oz.) package spring greens mix or sweet baby greens, 2 c. red grapes (halved), 1 c. salted cashews, 2 oz. Manchego* cheese (shaved)  *we used shaved parmesan instead

Dressing: 3/4 c. olive oil, 1/4 c. red wine vinegar, 1 1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, 1 1/2 tsp. honey, 1/8 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp. pepper.  (We thought it was way too much dressing – I would 1/2 it next time.)

Stir together dressing ingredients in large serving bowl.  Add spring greens and next 3 ingredients; toss.  Serve immediately.

This recipe is from the PTO at my school.  They made it for dinner on one of our conference nights:

Dried Cranberry Salad

Salad: Romaine bag mixed salad or baby spinach, red onions (finely sliced), provel rope cheese, dried cranberries, sugared pecans*. 

*Sugared Pecans: In a skillet toast nuts in sugar until lightly browned.  Stir frequently or they will burn.  Use about 1 Tbsp. sugar for 1/4 c. pecans.

Dressing:  Bottled Red Wine Vinaigrette

Enjoy!  And feel free to share any yummy salad recipes you have with me…I would love to try some new ones.