Endive and Bulgur Salad With Poached Eggs
Posted: February 16, 2012 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: balsamic vinegar, bulgur, cooking, easy, egg, endive, foodblog, garlic, mushroom, olive oil, parmesan, pepper, poach, recipe, salad, scallion 12 Comments »
Now, I’m not one to brag.
Ahem. Please, no comments from the peanut gallery.
As I was saying. I’m not one to brag. But this year I had not one. But two. Yes, two Valentines.
The first, of course, was my wonderful fiancé, Jake. He treated me to a delicious pre-Vday brunch at Norma’s at Le Parker Meridien on Sunday, and surprised me with beautiful pale pink roses on Valentine’s Day itself! I certainly am a lucky girl ;)
(Side note: anyone looking for brunch in the NYC area, I highly recommend Norma’s.)
And my second Valentine was California Vegetable Specialties!
Ok. I know that’s not a person, per se, but I still count it. After all, they did send me a Valentine! A beautiful bouquet, in fact. Of endives!
Now anyone that knows me knows that I love presents. Especially surprise ones. And especially ones related to food.
So when the box unexpectedly arrived at my office, full of beautiful, fresh endives arranged in a charming bouquet? Well, let’s just say it was love at first sight.
I knew the only way to truly honor my new Valentine was to make something delicious out of the colorful veggies.
So I searched high and low, and finally found the perfect recipe to showcase the beauties in all their glory.
Edamame-Tomato Salad with Lime-Balsamic Dressing
Posted: October 10, 2011 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: balsamic, cooking, easy, edamame, foodblog, healthy, lime juice, onion, recipe, salad, Secret Recipe Club, tomato 17 Comments »
Before I give you the recipe for this (very tasty) Edamame-Tomato Salad with Lime-Balsamic Dressing, I want to tug on your heartstrings a little ask for your help.
First, a little background: When I made my 27×27 list, almost 6 months ago, I included a goal to participate in an event for a cause. at the time, I figured that I would pick a random event, raise a few dollars for the cause, and call it a day.
Little did I know, my 5 1/2 year old cousin, Steven, would be diagnosed with Leukemia just a few months later. And that instead of choosing a random event and cause to participate in, I would be walking on Team Steven in The Light The Night Walk to support the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s efforts to find cures for blood cancers.
So I’m asking for your help. Please help me support Steven and his family by donating to my fundraising page. Because by donating even just a few dollars to what may just be a random cause to you, has the power to give a little 5 1/2 year old boy and his family hope.
And now, on to lighter things. Like this Edamame-Tomato Salad with Lime-Balsamic Dressing. Which is not only light, healthy, and protein packed, but also very tasty and satisfying.
This recipe, my pick for this month’s Secret Recipe Club, comes from Cooking with Chopin, Living with Elmo. Ginny created this dish in honor of summer, which is something I can totally get on board with. Summer is most definitely my favorite season, and I’m sad to see it go. And if making this tasty salad prolongs the summer just a little more, then how would I not love it?
Asian Style Garlic Sesame Pasta Salad
Posted: September 20, 2011 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: asian, broccoli, cooking, exotic, foodblog, garlic, pasta, pepper, recipe, salad, scallions, sesame, tomato 8 Comments »
See that picture above?
It’s Asian Style Garlic Sesame Pasta Salad. It’s also delicious. And easy to make.
You want some. Trust me.
Well, good news! You too can have a taste of this goodness!
I am currently the newest member of the ShopRite Blogger Panel, and will be creating recipes like this one for their blog, Potluck. Just head on over for the recipe for this Asian Style Garlic Sesame Pasta Salad.
And don’t forget to keep an eye out… I have some more tasty ShopRite creations in the works that you don’t want to miss!
Bulgur and Asparagus Salad
Posted: August 30, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: asparagus, basil, bulgur, salad, side dish, thyme 10 Comments »You know how they say opposites attract? Well, they (whoever they are) are right. Really. There is no other explanation why my blue eyed, blonde haired, football watching, car loving, accountant boyfriend would be any sort of match for this brown eyed, brunette, musical theater watching, yoga loving, music major. I mean, obviously we do have common interests, but the differences are far more glaring than the similarities.
The real puzzle, though, is how we ever eat dinner together. Our preferences are so different that I’m shocked we even eat the same meals. Jake is a true red meat kind of guy. He likes steak, burgers, lamb chops and veal. Lots and lots of meat. I am the total opposite. I’m not a fan of red meat at all. I eat chicken. White meat only, no bones or skin. Turkey works, too. I will compromise and make the occasional dish out of ground beef. But ground is the only way I’ll eat it. And not in hamburger form. It’s a texture thing. (And I’m crazy.)
But vegetables are a different story. Vegetables I can get on board with. In fact, I’ve never met a veggie I didn’t like. Zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant, tomatoes… you name it, I like it. Just give me a big plate of roasted veggies for dinner and I’m set. Jake, on the other hand, liked a total of three vegetables when we met. Three. Asparagus, broccoli and artichokes. That’s it. Unless you count corn. I don’t.
Easy Couscous Salad
Posted: August 12, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: couscous, cucumber, dinner, easy, lemon, lemon juice, parsley, salad, side dish, tomato 23 Comments »
I remember the day that I knew Santa wasn’t real. When something that I believed was true for so long, no longer was. It’s not that I didn’t have an inkling. A clue. That things didn’t add up. But I wanted it to be. So I ignored the truth. After all, isn’t ignorance bliss?
And then one day, I asked. I just couldn’t ignore the facts anymore. How can one man go to every single house in one night? Why does he look different in every mall? And why does his handwriting look suspiciously like my mom’s? So my dad confirmed it. He’s not real.
Well, today I feel much like I did that day. I’ve had my suspicions for a while now, and today they’ve been confirmed. Alas, my beloved couscous is not a whole grain.
Tomato and Grilled Zucchini Salad
Posted: August 6, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: balsamic, balsamic vinegar, cheese, dill, dinner, feta, grill, oregano, parsley, salad, side dish, thyme, tomato, zucchini 13 Comments »
I have a confession to make: Before this week, I had never grilled anything on the barbecue by myself. I know, I know. It’s pathetic. But, in my defense, I have always been intimately involved in the grilling process. I always plan what we’re eating, get everything prepared, marinate and season the meat, cut the veggies, etc. I just don’t actually do the grilling.
Not to worry; I am also always sure to tell the person grilling the right way to grill. Raise the flame. Lower the heat. Check on the meat. Stop opening the lid. You’re letting all the heat out. Leave it on a little longer. I think it’s done. I’m like a backseat griller. It’s endearing. Just ask Jake.
Strawberry, Feta, and Spinach Salad
Posted: July 27, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: balsamic, balsamic vinegar, feta, salad, spinach, strawberry 4 Comments »For some reason, I have a real issue scheduling my weekends. I try to cram in so much that I don’t have time to finish everything I need/want to do. I end up forgetting how long things take to do/not taking weekend traffic into account/promising to be in two places at one time/forgetting that I’m human and need to relax every once in a while, etc.
So a few Sunday afternoons ago, when I looked at my “to do” list for that weekend, I realized that there was no way I was going to finish everything on that list. I decided to pick out two last items to conquer and just concentrate on those. I chose to exercise and to go to Costco. And then it came to me: I would walk to Costco! Two birds. One stone… Brilliant!
I laced up my sneakers, grabbed my backpack, set the playlist on my iPod, and ventured out into the wild unknown. (Ok, maybe Queens isn’t quite the wild unknown, but I’m using some poetic license. It has a nice ring to it, no?)
Healthy Taco Salad
Posted: July 23, 2010 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: cheese, ethnic, healthy, lettuce, mexican, salad, salsa, sour cream, spicy, tacos, tomato 3 Comments »
I LOVE Mexican food. I mean, really, what’s not to love? Any cuisine that features cheese, fried tortillas, cheese, beans, cheese, rice, cheese, sour cream, cheese, avocado, cheese, and a whole lotta spice, gets a big fat A+ in my book. (Did I mention the CHEESE??)
But, let’s face it, while absolutely delicious, those ingredients aren’t exactly good for you (or your waistline). Needless to say, as much as I would like to eat a nice big plate of enchiladas or tacos a few times a week, I don’t. So when the craving hits for a Mexican meal, but I don’t want to consume a whole day’s worth of fat and calories in one sitting, I make my “go to” Taco Salad.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: Really, Dana? A salad? THAT’S supposed to fill me up when I want tacos?? Trust me. This salad is so big, flavorful and delicious, and uses such healthy and real ingredients, that it easily quells any Mexican food craving, and will leave you satisfied and guilt free.
