Summer Salads

First of all, major props to my friend Adrien who surprised me with a new blog design and header... so fun!!! This appeared in my "in-box" the morning after I spent time laying in bed thinking about wanting a new blog design... I love fun little "coincidences" like that!

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am still a bit turned off by raw meat. I just can't look at it. So, the little bit of cooking that I have done lately has been more cold-food oriented. I made two delicious summer salads this week, both you have probably made or had some version of. Both totally hit the spot with the 90 degree weather we have had, and did not make me gag once! So, you know they are both a homerun....! I don't have my own pictures of either one, but I am going to try to get better at that. In fact, the same Adrien that designed my new header is a genius photographer and has offered to show me a few tricks to make my food concoctions look more appealing... or something like that. :-)

Broccoli Salad
- one head of broccoli (or two small ones)
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 8 slices crispy bacon, chopped
- 1 clamshell Cherry/Grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup mayonaise
- 1 Tbsp left over bacon grease
- 2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- Salt & Pepper to taste

1. Cut the head of the broccoli into small pieces. (I pretty much just took a knife and cut high up on the stalk where the thick part breaks into many small stalks.) Dice stalks into bite size pieces. Add to large bowl.

2. Add onion, bacon, tomatoes, and cheese to bowl. Toss until evenly mixed.

3. In sepearte bowl (or dressing shaker) mix mayo (I used light), bacon grease, Vinegar and S&P. Shake or beat until smooth.

4. Toss dressing in salad mixture. Allow to chill for an hour for best flavor.


Black Bean & Corn Salad
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 2 Tomatoes, diced and seeded ***
- 1/2 red onion, diced ***
- 1 small Jalepeno, seeded and chopped finely ***
- 1 cup Cilantro, chopped
- juice of 1 lime
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- S & P to taste

*** May substitute for a can of Rotel, undrained

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, cover, and serve chilled.

Excellent served as a side dish, over crisp Romaine lettuce, or with diced chicken mixed in.

Sabbatical

I have a confession to make. I have totally neglected my blog.

I know, I know, SHOCKER!!!!

To be completely honest... I have not cooked more than Shells n' Cheese, frozen pizzas, and bowls of cereal for the last 10 weeks or so. The mere thought of any uncooked meat, eggs, or milk... OR the thought of ANY aroma filling my house... was enough to make me sick for two days. (In case you did not know... my sweet hubby and I are expecting our first little one in October.) Thankfully, things are slowly (VERY slowly) coming back to normal and I am slowly getting back in to the kitchen.

Sooo..... my next post will have a tasty treat or two!!!