Tag Archives: Salad

More Quick and Easy Back to School Meals—Wrap and Go

Even if your children are not enrolled in year round school the business of getting ready to head back to class is well underway in most households. (Heck, our Wal-Mart already moved the school supplies to make room for Halloween decorations.) With so much to do and so little time to do it preparing 4-course meals is out of the question for many home cooks. If you are pressed for time, but still want to get a healthy meal on the table then these next recipes might come in very handy during the next couple of weeks. The first is … Continue reading →

Super Simple Summer Sides

After months of tolerable temperatures, the heat is finally on in our neck of the woods… and the rest of the nation. From Oregon to Georgia the mercury is soaring. When the temperature is hovering near 95 degrees you can bet that most home cooks aren’t planning menus that require them to stand over a hot stove (regardless of if they have central air). In fact, when it gets this hot I try not to turn on any of my kitchen appliances. Instead, I stick to a simple menu of lighter foods such as salads, sandwiches and refreshing side dishes … Continue reading →

Making the Most of Summer’s Harvest: Tomato, Summer Squash and Cucumber Salad

You know that summer is winding down when the price for a pound of strawberries passes the $3 mark… again (up from $1.50 a few weeks ago) and local markets are practically giving away tomatoes. You can count on an abundance of cucumbers and tomatoes during the late summer months and if you are counting calories and pennies then you might as well make the most of the current crop. The following recipe is a terrific way to showcase your own homegrown vegetables or simply a way to infuse a traditional summer cookout with a hearty dose of nutrients. Besides … Continue reading →

Fancy Looking Salads that are a Cinch to Make

We eat a lot of salad in our home, which is why I could kick myself each time I order a super-sized “fancy” salad on those rare occasions when we eat out. I end up spending $10 on what is essentially mixed greens with some type of meat placed on top and a few other ingredients (e.g. strawberries, pecans, cheese, croutons, etc.). It pains me to pay what is equivalent these days to almost three gallons of gas, yet I can’t seem to break out of my rut, and actually order something I don’t or can’t make at home. On … Continue reading →

Mid Week Steak Dinner

Thanks to my generous grandparents (most notably my gourmet cook grandfather) I grew up eating steak every Saturday night. Consequently, I always considered the delicious cut of meat to be a weekend treat. But, these days steak is affordable enough (depending on the cut) and recipes are plentiful enough to create amazingly tasty meaty dishes in the middle of the week. The following steak recipes are simple enough to prepare even on a night when you get home from the office later than expected. The first one, which features beef tenderloin steaks swimming in a creamy mushroom sauce, can be … Continue reading →

Outdoor Dining: Three-Course Simple Summer Meal

There’s no better way to enjoy the dog days of summer than firing up the grill and eating outdoors. Sure, it’s warm outside and in some parts of the country the mosquitoes are the size of lab rats, but in a few months you will be kicking yourself if you don’t take advantage of the opportunity to bond with your family over a meal in the great outdoors. When designing a meal to devour in your backyard, on your deck or in the park, think simple. The following recipes are not labor intensive, yet they pack a powerful punch in … Continue reading →

Healthy Grilling: Super Summer Salmon Salad

According to the American Heart Association, adults should be eating two servings of fish, especially oily fish that are high in omega-3 fatty-acids, such as salmon and trout, at least twice a week to maintain a healthy heart. One of my favorite ways to prepare salmon is on the grill. I especially love wild salmon, but according to my fishmonger, the famous Copper River salmon is in short supply this year. If you already have your grill set up for the summer season you might consider making the following recipe for a grilled salmon salad with an Asian inspired dressing. … Continue reading →

Summer Picnic Food—Meaty Italian Sandwiches and Three-Cheese Pasta Salad

Nothing says summer than a picnic in the park. With the Fourth of July holiday right around the corner millions of flag waving families will be trekking to local parks to view the annual fireworks displays. And with space at a premium most will be securing their spots from the early morning, which means packing a lot of food to keep the kids occupied until the big bang goes off at dusk. The following recipes are ideal picnic dishes as neither contains mayonnaise, which tends to spoil when left out in the hot sun too long. The first recipe for … Continue reading →

Healthy Summer Entrees—Cranberry Turkey Burgers and Hearty Chop-Chop Salad

When the mercury is soaring and we’re soaking in sweat the last thing any of us wants to do is stand in a stifling hot kitchen whipping up a three-course meal for our families. Instead, consider waiting until the sun dips lower in the evening sky and prepare a light dinner outdoors. One of my family’s favorite grilled entrees is the classic turkey burger. My preschooler devours this particular recipe and has no clue that it is good for her. In fact, ever since the country went on a health kick a few years back (and more and more people … Continue reading →

Salads for Your Graduation Party

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Are you throwing a big bash for your graduate? These salads are unique and have just the right amount of sophistication for your many guests that will come through your house wishing the graduate well. One nice thing about featuring salads at a graduation party is you can quickly pair them with some finger sandwiches or order pizza, a graduation cake of course, and then you’re done with the meal! Best of all, this can all be done in advance! Cucumber and Bleu Cheese Salad This salad has a hint of Mediterranean flavor. Although it’s not your typical green salad, … Continue reading →