The Perfect Salad

I've been on a really big "Salad Kick" lately, and have found the perfect way to create a delish salad that can be changed and has a huge variety of choices. Its much better than the bland old lettuce with bottled dressing with preserves and unwanted ingredients.

Start with the basics. From there, learn your favorite combinations. After the image, I've listed my favorite combinations that I make the most.

My favorite:

• Olive Oil + Apple Cider Vinegar + Dijon + Honey + Salt + Strawberries + Feta Cheese
• Clementine Olive Oil + White Wine Vinegar + Dijon + Honey + Salt + Oranges + Blue Cheese
• Olive Oil + Red Wine Vinegar + Dijon + Honey + Salt + Apples + Gorgonzola Cheese

Get creative! And remember, Feta cheese goes with everything! Its my favorite cheese, but don't forget to try Asiago Cheese, Gorgonzola, Blue Cheese, and even Goat Cheese (with honey).

You can also find many flavors of Olive Oil and Vinegars. "O Olive Oil Company" has some amazing choices, but many brands have infused Oils and such.

Always taste-test your dressing before tossing with the salad, and adjust ingredients to you liking!

Please Pin It on Pinterest to share this around! It would be greatly appreciated! =)
 

Rhubarb & Mixed Fruit Smoothie

SMOOTHIE MONDAY

RHUBARB & MIXED FRUIT SMOOTHIE

1/2 cup rhubarb, chopped
1 cup frozen mixed fruit
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/8 cup water

• Place all ingredients into a blender. Process until smooth. (add more water if needed to get to desired consistency)

PMM #4 & Watermelon Shark

Its good to be back home after a week of vacation with the family in Branson, MO. I'll put up several review on my other blog about some great places we were at.

On the other hand, I feel so out of the loop in the blogging world! I had posts up all week, so I bet hardly anyone noticed. If I haven't replied back on anything, I'll get to them today. Now back to a normal week!

WATERMELON SHARK

 

This was a fun treat for my kids while camping out. My son loves sharks and got the biggest kick out of this! I found this idea on the Sun Scholars Blog. There is detailed directions there as well as to how to make it. It was quite a bit of work, but wonderful to see everyone's reactions.

Personally, I think it looks more like a monster than a shark. Or maybe one of the dragons from "How to train your Dragon" movie. I'll make sure I get the angles and cuts more accurate next time! I also didn't get fancy with the fin and gills like others have. My kids were begging to eat it, so I "had" to hurry and finish. =) This would be perfect for a birthday party with a theme like pirates, underwater, ect..

Make sure you eat it before it eats you!

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Now for my Penny Meal Monday recipe....

SPAGHETTI NIGHT

Not only is this a penny-meal, its also a favorite among my kids. They beg for it every week! I cave in only once or twice....a month... =)

ground turkey: $1.79; sauce: $0.89 (sale); spaghetti noodles: $0.30 (case sale). TOTAL: $3.00
We usually serve it with a salad on the side, but when in a pinch, it gets left off. We love pigging out on just a plate full of spaghetti. This batch also makes a huge leftover dinner for us.
~Cook the meat until fulled browned, drain. Add sauce and mix until heated through. Cook noodles according to directions, drain. Mix the sauce and noodles together and serve. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top.

SPAGHETTI LEFTOVER CASSEROLE
Leftover spaghetti: FREE, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese:$1.25; TOTAL: $1.25
~Grease casserole dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix together leftover spaghetti and cheese. Put into the casserole dish. Sprinkle a little cheese on top. Cook in oven at 375 degrees F for 30 to 45 minutes.