Easy Carrot Salad

Since February is Heart Month, I had to prepare a healthy dish to take to a club potluck luncheon.  Here's what I ended up making:

EASY CARROT SALAD

1 pkg. lemon jello
1 20-oz can crushed pineapple, drained (reserve liquid)
3 large carrots, shredded

Make the jello according to package directions using the liquid from the can of pineapple for part of the liquid.  Place in the refrigerator until set.  Mix in the pineapple and carrots.  Return to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight until firmly set.

Shredding the carrots is the hardest part of this recipe - but I used my food processor and it was done in seconds.  Quick and easy - and delicious!  And doesn't it look bright and colorful in my pretty chicken dish?

Grape Salad

Last Friday we had the regular monthly meeting of reading specialists in our school district. We had a potluck lunch, and Gail, one of the other RS, brought this Grape Salad. My niece had made it at Thanksgiving, and I wanted to get the recipe. Gail sent it to me this morning. So here it is. It’s quite good, although I have to admit I’d rather have plain grapes myself.

Grape Salad

2 lbs. green seedless grapes

2 lbs. red seedless grapes

1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened

8 oz. sour cream

½ cup white sugar

1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup brown sugar

Wash and pat dry the grapes - leave them whole. Beat cream cheese until soft. Add sour cream and white sugar, beat until creamy. Gently fold in grapes and cheddar cheese. Pour into large serving dish or bowl. Stir together pecans and brown sugar. Sprinkle over grape mixture; refrigerate overnight.

A Romantic Valentine's Day Meal

It's Valentine's Day again, and many of us want to prepare a romantic meal for our significant other. I've been through lots of phases in preparing romantic meals. I learned quickly that spending all day preparing an elaborate meal is counter-productive. After all that time and effort, I wasn't even hungry by the time mealtime arrived, and the sink was piled high with dirty dishes. Plus, I was too tired to enjoy the rewards of the romantic meal and atmosphere.

With that in mind, here is what I suggest for a simple, delicious and romantic meal:

Make a deliciously fresh salad with romaine lettuce hearts, shredded carrots and tomato slices. Sprinkle some blue cheese crumbles on top, and use your favorite salad dressing. Buy two good quality ribeye steaks. Season them well. I usually use garlic salt and pepper. Wrap in aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator until you're ready to grill them. Wash two baking potatoes potatoes, pierce each with a fork, spray them lightly with cooking spray, wrap in aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees until tender - about 45 minutes, depending on the size. Approximately 20 minutes before dinner time, grill the steaks - 8-10 minutes on each side.

So here's your menu: grilled ribeye steak, fresh tossed salad, baked potato. If you like bread with you meal, buy a baguette to serve. The perfect dessert for such a meal is sherbet. It provides a light and refreshing finish to the meal. Pair a good quality merlot to drink with the meal. This is a meal that can't be screwed up (unless you overcook or burn the steak). It takes little preparation - and most people love a good steak. You can substitute a premium quality salmon steak for the ribeye, if you prefer.

If you want an appetizer, buy a block of a soft cheese like Neufchatel and some sesame or whole wheat crackers. There's nothing like spreading a little cheese on a cracker and nibbling on it while sipping wine to set a romantic atmosphere for pre-dinner conversation.

Set the table with pretty placemats and consider buying a small fresh flower bouquet for the table. Then relax and enjoy the meal and conversation - and the rewards of your efforts.

Tomato-Mozzarella Salad

We had a covered dish dinner at church yesterday. One of the ladies brought a tomato-mozarella salad that was delicious. I asked what the ingredients were, and then I came up with this recipe. Here’s my version:

Tomato-Mozzarella Salad
2 tomatoes (Fresh from the garden is best!)
1 fresh mozzarella ball
2 leaves fresh basil, chopped
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt to taste

Prepare immediately before serving.
Slice the tomatoes and mozzarella so that you end up with the same number of slices of each.
Layer the tomatoes and mozzarella slices (fanned out) on a serving dish, alternating the tomato slices and the mozzarella slices.
Sprinkle the chopped basil on top.
Drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Serves 2-4.

Tomato-Balsamic Salad

Last night we had a grilled pork tenderloin and brown rice for dinner. I wanted a quick salad to go with it. So I made one with what I had on hand - and it was great. Here’s what I did:

Tomato-Balsamic Salad

2-3 fresh tomatoes, cut into bite-size pieces

1 green onion, thinly sliced

1 carrot, shredded or cut into thin slices

1/4 cup, cheddar cheese, shredded

2 Tablespoons Balsamic vinegar (more or less, depending on your taste)

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (more or less, depending on your taste)

salt and pepper to taste

Toss ingredients in a bowl and serve.