Fruity Broccoli Salad

Whisk together this dressing in a medium bowl or casserole dish:

2/3c olive oil mayonnaise

1/4c white Balsamic vinegar

a big sprinkle of black pepper

a small sprinkle of garlic salt

1T honey

Add the the broccoli and apple, cut into bite size pieces, then sliced-chopped onion. Stir in the pecans and craisins and fold together with a silicone spatula.

8-10oz. broccoli florets

1/2 lg. purple onion

1 Envy apple

1/2c craisins

3/4c chopped pecans

Refrigerate this before serving. Leftovers, if there are any, will keep several days, covered, in the refrigerator. This salad is great with anything, or just by itself. You could also add a cup or so of roasted, cut up chicken if you'd like. . .Lin

Cucumber, Carrot and Tomato - oh my

I don't blog everything I make, but this one needs to be out there somewhere in CyberLand!

Slice - chop the following:

2 mini English cucumbers

3 med. carrot - grated

1 Roma tomato

1/2 sm. onion

fresh ground black pepper

I made sriracha mayonnaise the other day. Today I used some of that plus a big splash of white Balsamic vinegar. I like it when something I make, that's bit outside the box of my experience, turns out well. It always leads to expanding my parameters with other ingredients. . .Lin

Cucumber-Tomato-Green Onion Salad

In a 12-16oz. jar with a lid, combine the following:

6oz. light red or white vinegar 

~ one, or two--for more depth of flavor

3oz. good quality EVOO

1-2t Roasted Garlic & Herb seasoning

1/2t finely ground black pepper

Shake well and warm this, in the uncovered jar, just a little to hydrate the herbs and blend the flavors.

Pour over these chopped vegetables about an hour before serving:

3 mini English cucumbers - rough peeled

4 green onions - white parts and greens

3 nice size Roma tomatoes

Toss a couple times before serving. This is great with heavier meats, to lighten things up. It's also just a nice healthy, easy-to-put-together salad. . .Lin

Everything Asian Noodle Salad

Cook 10-12oz skinny, Angel Hair type, rice noodles to al dente stage.
Drain, rinse in cold water, drain again then put aside.

In a very large bowl combine:

1 shredded carrot

1/3 green bell pepper

1/4-1/3 lg. chopped green pepper

celery heart and greens

4 sliced green onions

2 big cloves of garlic

1" cube of peeled fresh ginger

2-3T dark toasted sesame oil

Everything Bagel seasoning

just a touch of cayenne pepper

a little finely sliced purple cabbage

a little fresh ground black pepper

2 julienned pickling cucumbers

Everything Bagel seasoning

2-3T white Balsamic vinegar

1/3c Asian dressing if needed

Chop, slice, dice or mince the vegetables. Put all of them -except the cucumbers- and seasonings in a hot non-stick pan, over low-medium heat, with the sesame oil and vinegar. Stir this around until is sizzles a bit. Add the noodles and continue to gently stir until everything's coated and combined and sizzling. Turn off the heat, pour on your favorite Asian dressing, add cucumber slices now. Toss, cover and let cool. Chill for an hour or two before serving. Serve cold or warm it a little. . .Lin