Category Soups & Salads

Vanilla Pudding Fruit Salad

July 5, 2014 Posted in Dessert, Fruit, Side Dishes, Soups & Salads

 

This is a perfect potluck dish. Everyone loves fresh fruit. Especially when everything is in season. Rachel Schultz adds a special secret ingredient to make this simple fruit salad make fireworks in your mouth. Dry instant vanilla pudding mix. Crowd pleaser!
 
Ingredients:
 
2 tablespoons dry instant vanilla pudding mix
 
1 pound of strawberries, quartered
 
½ pint blueberries or 6oz. container
 
½ ...
Read More

Spicy Cucumber Garlic Gazpacho

June 23, 2014 Posted in Soups & Salads, Vegetables

Here’s a light, refreshing, cold summer soup that will put a smile on everyone’s face.
 
Makes 2 quarts; serves 6
 
Ingredients:
 
2 English cucumbers, peeled and chopped (4 cups chopped) reserving 1/4 cup for garnish
 
1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped, reserve 1/4 cup for garnish
 
3 green onions, trimmed and cut 
 
2 jalapeno chiles, stemmed, halved lengthwise, seeded and ch...
Read More

Cucumber Watermelon Salad

June 13, 2014 Posted in Fruit, Side Dishes, Soups & Salads, Vegetables

I poured wine this year at the Great Wine Festival in Irvine, CA. Snuck away for a quick bite of local Orange County restaurant samples throughout the festival. One sample I had that met all my requirements was a salad that included watermelon, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, basil, croutons, and a sherry vinaigrette. It was colorful, flavorful, light, and refreshing on that 90 degree day...
Read More

Edamame Quinoa Salad

May 28, 2014 Posted in Side Dishes, Soups & Salads, Vegetables, Vegetarian

While skimming through my mom’s Recipe.com magazine while she was on the phone yesterday, I ran across this quinoa salad. When I left her house I immediately headed to Vitamin City Health food store in San Dimas for the items I knew I didn’t have at home, edamame and grape tomatoes. I love that store. If you are ever near there, pop in! There’s something for everyone...
Read More

Cottage Cheese Fruit Salad

May 19, 2014 Posted in Fruit, Side Dishes, Soups & Salads

I tried this fruit salad years ago at a friend’s on Thanksgiving. It paired perfectly next to the turkey and ham. When you eat it by itself it is very sweet but oh so yummy. Next to meat dishes it is a perfect balance. Having a little dessert with your dinner is wonderful. You just can’t go wrong with this side dish. Perfect for pot lucks and beyond easy to make. Only 4 ingredients.
 
* Make sure you g...
Read More

Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

April 26, 2014 Posted in Fruit, Sauces & Dressing, Soups & Salads

I found this Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar at Home Goods years ago. It is made by Sonoma Harvest. I drizzle it on my salads. It is just wonderful. I’ve tried to find it locally and can’t. I know I can purchase it online for $15 plus shipping, but I got the idea to try and create my own homemade strawberry salad dressing. I’m very pleased with this and look forward to making a lot more of it.
 
Ingre...
Read More

Avocado Dressing

February 22, 2014 Posted in Sauces & Dressing, Soups & Salads

Delicious on salads, burgers, or sandwiches!
 
Ingredients:
 
1 large avocado = 1 ¼ cup
 
2-3 teaspoons lemon juice
 
½ cup of Greek yogurt or nonfat plain yogurt
 
1-3 teaspoons hot sauce to taste – Cholula
 
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
 
4 garlic cloves = 1 tablespoon minced garlic
 
½ teaspoon kosher salt
 
¼ teaspoon of white pepper or any pepper
 
Directions:
 
In a food processor add...
Read More

French Onion Soup

February 2, 2014 Posted in Side Dishes, Soups & Salads, Vegetarian

One day I just happened to catch the show, The Chew and they were making French Onion Soup. I had always wanted to make my own so I thought I would start with their recipe as my first attempt. My mom was in town from Ohio and she loves French Onion. We headed to the store to grab some of the ingredients...
Read More

Sriracha Vinaigrette

January 23, 2014 Posted in Sauces & Dressing, Soups & Salads, Vegetables, Vegetarian

 

Ingredients:
 
Juice of one lime (about ¼ cup)
 
1 teaspoon of low sodium soy sauce
 
3-4 garlic cloves, minced fine
 
1 tablespoon of Sriracha (more if you like it VERY spicy)
 
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
 
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
 
Salt and pepper to taste
 
Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese or Romano, grated for garnish
 
Optional: ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
 
Favorite Vegetabl...
Read More

Thousand Island Dressing

November 14, 2013 Posted in Sauces & Dressing, Soups & Salads

I don’t know about you, but I love French fries dipped in thousand island dressing. You can also put it on burgers or salad. Basically a blend of mayo, ketchup, and relish.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1 pinch of kosher salt
1 pinch of white pepper or black course pepper
Optional: 1 teaspoon or more of hot pepper sauce, Tapatio or Tabasco

Directions:

Combine al...

Read More