Recipes

[ChiliPepper]

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@RespectLife wrote:

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@ChiliPepper wrote:

@RespectLife

I briefly saw the pull string thing. It seemed like a silly idea or so I thought. I have read several good things about it though.

@ChiliPepper

Well, I hate to say it but that thing is one of the best stupid things I have ever bought!  I use it ALL the time.

It is my fav chopper and I also use it for ham salad and wet little things too.  I can puree small amounts in it as well.  You can really control the size of the pieces you want.

I have just the single one...I think now you can get it with extra bowls or something.

I have had it for well over a year now.  I always worried the stupid string would break but it is going strong.  You can't put the lid in the dishwasher but it rinses right off.

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@RespectLife

That's what I thought at first too but I was wrong. I thought - no way is that gonna work - but it seems to. There are hundreds of positive reviews plus its been mentioned on the boards several times - all good things.

If it ever comes up as a TSV, I might have to......

[RespectLife]

Some of what I am posting are totally tried and true...other recipes I haven't tried yet.

This dressing was SO good the next time I made a double batch!!

Wilted Spinach Salad with Warm Apple Cider and Bacon Dressing

Yield: Serves 4

Gourmet | October 1991

Ingredients

• 5 slices of lean bacon, chopped fine
• 2 tablespoons minced shallot
• 1/2 cup finely chopped apple
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 cups unpasteurized apple cider
• 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound fresh spinach, coarse stems discarded and the leaves washed well and spun dry

Preparation

In a large skillet cook the bacon over moderate heat, turning it, until it is crisp, transfer it to paper towels to drain, and discard all but 2 tablespoons of the fat.

In the fat remaining in the skillet cook the shallot and the apple over moderate heat, stirring, for 1 minute, add the vinegar, the cider, and salt and pepper to taste, and boil the mixture, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until it is reduced to about 1/2 cup.

Whisk in the mustard, the oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

In a large bowl toss the spinach with the warm dressing until it is just wilted and sprinkle the salad with the bacon.

[RespectLife]

This is the salad I have been coaxing @ChiliPepper to try for YEARS now!  LOL

If you make it..don't skip the mint!

This dressing is so light, fresh and citrusy!

Much of the time I sub Meyer Lemon EVOO or Blood Orange EVOO for regular oils in MANY of the dressings I make!

Savory Watermelon Salad

It was slightly sweet and savory and a great accompaniment to that grilled chicken. I made some modifications: It called for all arugula but I used baby spinach mixed in.

1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
zest of one lemon
1/4 cup minced shallots (1 large) Or.. I used a red onion
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 cup light olive oil (I used less)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 cups baby arugula, washed and spun dry
3 cups baby spinach, washed and spun dry
1/8 th seedless watermelon, rind removed, and cut in 1-inch cubes
12 ounces good feta cheese, 1/2-inch diced
1 cup (4 ounces) whole fresh mint leaves, julienned

Whisk together the orange juice, lemon juice, shallots or red onion, zest, honey, salt, and pepper. Slowly pour in the olive oil, whisking constantly, to form an emulsion. If not using within an hour, store the vinaigrette covered in the refrigerator.

Place the arugula, spinach, watermelon, feta, and mint in a large bowl. Drizzle with enough vinaigrette to coat the greens lightly and toss well. Taste for seasonings and serve immediately

[ChiliPepper]

Any one have a good CAESER SALAD DRESSING???

I have tried a few but none of them were that great.

[ChiliPepper]

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@RespectLife wrote:

This is the salad I have been coaxing @ChiliPepper to try for YEARS now!  LOL

@RespectLife

I have 3 more years before I get any watermelon LOL!

[RespectLife]

Tried and true and SO delish!  One of my fav dressings on any type of salad!

Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 (11-oz) package baby spinach
• 1/2 red onion, sliced
• 1 (8-oz) package button mushrooms, sliced
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 8 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled; 3 Tbsp drippings reserved
• 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 6 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
• 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano shavings

Preparation:

1. Toss the spinach, red onion, mushrooms, and cranberries together in a large bowl. Set aside.
2. Whisk together the bacon drippings, vinegar, sugar, mustard, and basil in a saucepan over low heat. Season with a pinch each of salt and pepper.
3. Drizzle the warm dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Add the crumbled bacon and eggs. Top with the Pecorino shavings before serving.

[ChiliPepper]

@RespectLife

I need to get in here & print these salad dressing recipes. I have a binder for dressings & dips - I might have to separate it into 2 binders LOL! They all sound so good!!!

Thanks for posting them!

[RespectLife]

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@ChiliPepper wrote:

Any one have a good CAESER SALAD DRESSING???

I have tried a few but none of them were that great.

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@ChiliPepper

Hmm...this is the only Caeser I have.  I haven't tried it though because I wasn't wiling to invest in Anchovy paste, which I believe to be an integral part of a good Caeser!

Creamy Caesar Salad Dressing

3 cloves garlic, peeled
3/4 cup light mayonnaise
2 teaspoons anchovy paste
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper, to taste

Mince 3 cloves of garlic, and combine in a small bowl with mayonnaise, anchovies, 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Serve with romaine lettuce, croutons, shredded parmesan cheese, and chopped red onion.

[ChiliPepper]

 Copycat Olive Garden Salad Dressing

Yield: 1½ cups dressing

Ingredients

1 packet Good Seasonings Italian Dressing Mix

¾ cup oil (vegetable/canola)

¼ cup plus 2 Tbsp white vinegar

¼ cup water

½ tsp sugar

½ tsp dried Italian seasoning

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

¼ tsp garlic powder

½ Tbsp mayonnaise (not miracle whip)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Whisk briskly so that there are no clumps of mayo. Keep refrigerated. 

Olive Garden Salad Dressing

TOTAL TIME 5mins

 INGREDIENTS

 1⁄2 cup mayonnaise

1⁄3 cup white vinegar

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons corn syrup

2 tablespoons parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons romano cheese

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1⁄2 teaspoon italian seasoning

1⁄2 teaspoon parsley flakes

1 tablespoon lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

Mix all ingredients in a blender until well mixed. If this is a little to tart for your own personal tastes please add a little extra sugar. 

[RespectLife]

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@ChiliPepper wrote:

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@RespectLife wrote:

This is the salad I have been coaxing @ChiliPepper to try for YEARS now!  LOL

@RespectLife

I have 3 more years before I get any watermelon LOL!

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WHOOSH!

Right over my head!

HUH?  Why do you have 3 years?

Time out from me slamming salads and dressings to say

You will all be proud of me...I PASSED on the TSV L&L. 

I actually prefer the bowls....but was a good girl and didn't spend money on something just cuz I wanted it...BUT DIDN'T need it!

Yeah Me!