A Little Bit Of Everything Salad

*also seen on Cafe Zupas Blog

*also seen on Cafe Zupas Blog

It’s been a while my friends!  My house has had plague after plague in the last 3 weeks and it seems to still be going strong.  It started with the kids and spread to my husband and I.  I’ve gone from a Cold to Pink eye to a Sinus infection.  It’s been fun let me tell you.  But I couldn’t stay away any longer.  It’s been way too long since I shared a recipe!  So here I am in my PJ’s and kleenex in hand typing away between coughing and sneezes.  

I just had to share this delicious salad with you.  I had it at a church function a few weeks ago and I’ve made it many times since.  I’m not usually a ‘sweet’ salad kind of girl.  I love my ranch dressing, but this salad is amazing.  Did I mention how amazing this salad is? Well, I’m not lying.  And it’s easy too.  I dressed it up a bit adding some shredded rotisserie chicken so I could eat it for lunch and feel full and satisfied. Delicious!  You have to try it, because if you’ve never had it, you have been missing out on something truly special!  Here’s what you need:

fresh spinach leaves
fresh romaine leaves
fresh strawberries, cut up
a granny smith apple, cut up
mandarin oranges
dried cranberries
toasted almonds
a bit of shredded rotisserie chicken
poppyseed dressing (I like Briannas brand)

Just mix it all together and you’ve got one fantastic salad! Hope you guys enjoy it and have a wonderful week!

Baked on February 18, 2009 | Recipe Card: main dishes, salads | 23 Bites 

Simple Caesar Salad

I love a nice fresh salad. It’s always nice to have a break from heavy meals during the week, and enjoy a light simple salad. I never really enjoyed Caesar Salad’s until I had one made right in front of me at a fancy restaraunt many years ago. Luckily I missed the part where the chef added the anchovies, or I probably wouldn’t have eaten it. Anchovies freak me out, don’t ask me why. My husband decided to wait until I devoured the entire salad before telling me what the secret ingredient was. I was glad, but ever since then, I can tell if it is a good homemade Caesar Dressing instead of a poor one. If I can taste the fishy anchovies instead of a nutty accent, then I’m totally turned off by the taste. But I believe it is essential in a good Caesar Dressing to have anchovies added in the mix. It adds a nutty flavor and if it is made just right, it will make the perfect addition. Here is a great recipe, I use a store bought rotisserie chicken (Costco-$4.99) and chop up enough chicken to top the salad. And homemade croutons are a must!

Chicken Caesar Salad

Dressing:
adapted from Great Food Fast
1/4 cup reduced fat mayonnaise
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 small garlic clove
2 anchovy fillets, coarsely chopped

Croutons:
Italian Bread, cut in 3/4 inch cubes (about 4 cups)
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper

Salad:
1 package romaine hearts
either 4 chicken cutlets, cooked the way you like or the breast meat from a rotisserie chicken

1. Make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the bread on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with the olive oil and salt and pepper, toss to coat. Bake, tossing occasionally, until golden, 12-15 minutes. Remove the croutons from the oven and let cool.
2. Prepare the lettuce: Cut the romaine hearts crosswise into 1 inch ribbons; wash and dry.
3. Make the dressing in the blender, combine the lemon juice, mayonnaise, parmesan, anchovy fillets and garlic; blend until smooth.
4. Toss lettuce, chicken, dressing and croutons. Enjoy!

Baked on April 16, 2008 | Recipe Card: salads | 6 Bites