Category Archives: salad dressing

Happy Birthday Julia Child — French Potato Salad

Posted on August 23, 2013 | 1 comment

photo (8)photo (4)photo (2)Every year on August 15 Julia Child comes to mind since it is her birthday and would have been 101st Birthday. She was such a huge influence on all of us who cook and enjoy eating so I try and make one or two of her recipes every year on this day.  This is a most delicious light “very French” potato salad. I am not a huge fan of potatoes swimming in mayonnaise so this was such a welcome treat. It is moderately difficult and that just means there are a few steps involved. It’s worth the effort, her cooking was never effortless but well worth it.

“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces–just good food from fresh ingredients” Julia Child

Ingredients:

1 lb. “boiling” potatoes, all the same size and shape if at all possible

2 tbsp. shallots, finely chopped/minced

Kosher Salt

White Pepper, freshly ground if available, if not use Black Pepper and I promise not to tell

1/4 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock

1 1/2 Tbsp. White wine vinegar

2 – 3 Tbsp. Fresh Parsley, chopped or small little pieces

2-3 Tbsp. light olive  oil

Directions:

Fill a 3 quart saucepan half full with cold water. Wash the potatoes. One at a time peel a potato , and if it’s round and fat rather than long and thin, cut it in half lengthwise. I just cut 1/4 ” slices and left them like that. After you cut potatoes , drop the slices into the pan of water, to prevent them from turning an ugly color while you prepare the rest.

I cooked potatoes and made salad within 1/2 hour to prevent the possiblility of them turning grey.

Then drain out the water the potatoes sat in and add clean water to cover potatoes and add a good bit of salt to the water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for probably 15 / 20 minutes depending on potatoes, just until fork tender–keep testing by eating a small piece of potato to be sure.

Crunchy undercooked potatoes are dreadful, and overcooked potatoes will just fall apart.

Drain out the cooking water. At once cover the pan and set aside for a few minutes ( about 5 minutes) just to allow the slices to firm up. Then uncover the potatoes and start to season them as follows.

Get a nice roomy bowl and toss gently with the shallots, add the stock, vinegar and parsley. Let sit for app. 10 minutes or so, tossing gently a few times. Then correct salt and pepper seasoning, toss with the olive oil. I let the potatoes sit for about 1/2 hour to absorb the flavors at room temperature.

The salad should keep a day or two covered in the fridge.

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Happy Birthday Julia Child – Salade Nicoise

Posted on August 19, 2013 | 1 comment

photophoto (2)photo (3)In honor of Julia Child’s Birthday I always try to cook a recipe from her cookbooks. Julia tended to make even an easy recipe a little more difficult but this one is really not to difficult at all. I also have her ratatouille recipe on my blog and highly recommend that for a delicious dish made with fresh vegetables.  This is a delicious main-course salad, and I have to say the Nicoise is probably my favorite of all time. If I am out for lunch or dinner and it’s on the menu I almost always order it no matter where I am. No two are ever alike. In honor of Julia I am going to make this beautiful hearty salad for dinner.

This is how she did it, feel free to substitute where you’d like. I actually substituted grilled chicken for the tuna.

Here is a quote of Julia’s that I love. ” Learn how to cook–try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless and above all have fun” That says it all.

Ingredients:

1 large head Boston lettuce, I like to cut up into small pieces . Julia likes her lettuce leaves on a large platter. Your choice here.

1 pound green beans, cooked .( throw into boiling salted water for about 2 minutes till they turn bright green , then throw into ice bath to stop the cooking)

1 1/2 tablespoons minced shallots or red onions chopped small

Kosher Salt and Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

3 – 4 ripe red tomatoes , cut into wedges. Or, 10- 12 cherry tomatoes halved.

3 – 4 potatoes “boiling” ones. Peeled, sliced, and cooked. ( I actually made her French Potato Salad, so used those potatoes, plain boiled ones are just fine though) *recipe for French Potato Salad under separate listing. I have to say the French Potato Salad made the potatoes just amazing.

1 6 oz. can tuna fish, preferably oil-packed ( I substituted grilled chicken) or no protein is also just fine.

6 hard boiled eggs, peeled and halved

1 can of flat anchovy fillets , I cut up into small pieces. Use as many or as few as you’d like

1/3 cup small black Nicoise-type olives

2-3 tablespoons capers

3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Julia’s Basic Vinaigrette

1/2 Tbsp. finely minced shallot or scallion

1/2 Tbsp. Dijon Mustard

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 Tbsp. Red Wine Vinegar

1/3 to 1/2 cup of excellent olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper

I usually use food processor or blender to mix all ingredients, adding olive oil last to emulsify. You can do by hand with a whisk, remember to add olive oil last. Correct seasonings to taste.

Directions:

You can line a platter or wide bowl with lettuce leaves or chop up lettuce leaves, whichever you like. Julia likes to drizzle a little olive oil on the lettuce, I didn’t because the dressing is enough.

Toss the beans in a bowl with a little vinaigrette . Place the potatoes on lettuce, mound the beans interspersing them with tomatoes and mounds of tuna. Ring the salad with the eggs and place an anchovy filet on top of each egg.  Spoon a little more vinaigrette over all; scatter olives, capers, and parsley . Serve as soon as possible. See photo how I did it this time, it was just for me so I obviously used less ingredients and did it my way.

Now you can do your salad however you like, I like my anchovies cut up and dispersed in salad, so you get a little bit with each bite. Make it your own Salade Nicoise.  It’s just a delightful main dish salad. Light and Beautiful.

*Serves 6 nicely as a main.

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Vicki’s Rockin’ Raw Broccoli Salad

Posted on August 2, 2013 | Leave a comment

photo (8)photo (12) photo (13) photo (11)

Hummingbirds swarming feeders

Hummingbirds swarming feeders

finished product with nuts and avocado

finished product with nuts and avocado

I am always so happy when a reader submits a recipe to me . If the recipe appeals to me  I will try and  make the recipes as soon as I can from when I receive them which isn’t always easy. I did make this one and lost some of my photos on my camera. and had to make it again and re-do the photos which ended up OK because this is such a delicious healthy salad choice I was happy to eat it again.  This one comes from Vicki and I want to thank her so very much for this delicious raw salad. Super healthy and tasty. While it might not be for everyone ( Joel ) I really enjoyed it. This was how I did it. And again thanks Vicki and keep Cooking with Candi. This also couldn’t be any easier,  I put the whole salad together in 15 minutes from start to finish. Now that’s a salad you can get behind.

Ingredients:

1 head of broccoli, chopped or thinly sliced ( I used my food processor but you can do by hand and just chop small thin pieces )

3 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. sherry vinegar

1 heaping tbsp. stone ground mustard

1 scooped out avocado , cut into chunks

1 handful chopped raw almonds ( Vicki leaves her almonds whole and just throws them into salad, whichever you prefer)

Directions:

I used about 3/4 of a head of broccoli this particular head of broccoli seemed super huge, I think ordinarily you would use 1 whole head .  I chopped it in my food processor. In a separate bowl I whisked together the oil, vinegar and mustard. Pour the dressing over the broccoli, and right before serving add the chunks of avocado and chopped nuts , mix and serve.

*this was very tasty when dressing sat on broccoli and had time to seep in . I would add dressing at least an hour before serving. Then right before serving add avocado . If time allows, if not it was just fine.

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Ranch Dressing – BLT Salad

Posted on June 28, 2013 | 1 comment

photo (2)DSCN0290photoDSCN0292One of the best things to come out of writing this blog is being in touch with so very many different people and getting inspired by their ideas as well as my own. Bree emailed me to tell me about this dressing that she made from Ina Garten. I was so happy for the email and a new dressing to make. I followed the salad dressing recipe decreasing the salt and changing the salad to a Bacon Lettuce and Tomato salad. So yum, and thanks again Bree for thinking of me and writing to me, I love that you thought of me and that you inspired me to make this new dressing.  This is one helluva great dressing and it would make one helluva great dip. Another perfect summer salad. Thanks!

Ingredients:

3 scallions, white and green parts , chopped

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, lightly packed

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1/2 – 1 teaspoon kosher salt to taste

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup good mayonnaise ( you can use light but not fat free please)

1/2 cup Greek style yogurt , I used 2%

1/2 cup buttermilk, shaken ( you can use lowfat)

Salad Greens:

for 6 people you will use 3 small Bibb Lettuces, or Boston Lettuce or Romaine. Whichever you prefer. I could only find Romaine so that’s what we had. We like our lettuce chopped so that’s what I did.

2 large ripe tomatoes or small grape ones, whichever you prefer.

6 slices of Bacon ( I used microwave Bacon) it’s awesome–no fuss no muss

*1 red onion thinly sliced ( optional)

*avocado cut into chunks ( also optional)

I made all the salad dressing because it will keep in fridge for a few days , I used less lettuce and less other ingredients just for the two of us. I used the red onion and avocado for my 1/2 of the salad.

Directions:

Place the scallions, basil, lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, garlic , salt and pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Puree for about 20 seconds till smooth. Add the mayo, yogurt, and buttermilk and blend till smooth. Transfer the dressing to a container and refrigerate for at least an hour till flavors blend together . Put together salad ingredients and pour dressing on it. So delish! Great with protein on it, and this salad dressing would make a great dip for raw veggies! I love this dressing, we ate it 3 nights in a row!

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Michele’s Ramon Noodle Salad – Perfect Summer Salad

Posted on June 15, 2013 | 1 comment

photoI have already posted my version of a Napa Noodle Salad, which we all love and totally enjoy all summer long. Here is a new spin on it. We went to our friend’s house for dinner and Michele served this delicious noodle salad with just a little bit of a difference from mine but different and delicious enough that it’s worth the post for sure. So whether you love the other one or never even tried it this one is definitely worthy and will be a part of my Summer Salad Repertoire.  Michele is a wonderful entertainer and she did an amazing job that night and my parting gift was this recipe. Thanks again Michele! And by the way Joel loved it, and it contains Broccoli Slaw!!!! this was a major shock for sure. Maybe the tide is turning? This is not vegetarian but my Napa Noodle Salad is so just substitute that dressing. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup of olive oil ( you can use a little less)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

2 – 3 packages slaw of any style or mix. Michele used 2 12 oz. bags broccoli slaw and one bag regular cole slaw (these bags of slaw are available in almost every supermarket now in the lettuce section) 3 bags will serve 12 nicely and there is enough dressing for 3 .

2 packages beef flavored Ramon noodle soup mix ( I know this is a bummer for the vegetarians out there)

1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1 tbsp. soy sauce

Directions:

Prepare dressing by combining oil, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce and two flavor packets from soup mix. Whisk well and chill. Make the dressing early in the day and whisk it a few times throughout the day.

Before you’re ready to serve , crush the ramen noodles. Then combine slaws, seeds, almonds, and noodles.

Dress salad 10 minutes before serving. Put together the salad right before serving so everything stays crunchy.   Enjoy!

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Avocado Salad with Corn and Tomatoes and Lots of Good Stuff – Vegan

Posted on June 13, 2013 | 3 comments

DSCN0190 DSCN0195 DSCN0194 DSCN0199Most perfect summer salad and it is a vegetarian delight. totally vegan. I am not a vegan so I was grilling steaks for dinner and wanted to do a cold salad on the side. I had 2 beautiful ripe avocados on hand and all the ingredients for this yummy salad.  I had some fresh corn so I just brought the water to a boil threw it in and when it turned yellow took it out and threw it in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.   Of course I love  jalapenos , use your own discretion and this would be amazing without as well but it was kick ass with them.  You can make the salad ahead and let juices meld but don’t add the avocados till you’re ready to serve.  You can give them a little squeeze of fresh lime juice so they won’t turn brown so fast.  I like to serve salad at room temperature, you just don’t get the flavors when it’s too cold. It will keep in fridge for a few days, but you’ll have to take out the leftover avocado since it will turn brown. I cut this salad in 1/2 for the 2 of us. This easily will serve 6 as a side. By the way Joel took a bite but too much healthy stuff going on in here for his liking, although he’s gotten better he’s not quite up to this yet, it’s OK because there was more for me with leftovers.

I was inspired for this recipe from the Barefoot Contessa recipe for Guacamole Salad. The corn was my idea.

Ingredients:

2 cobs of fresh corn ( cook and then shuck corn off the cob) if no fresh corn available use frozen . I use frozen when I have to and 1 small bag is usually sufficient. The frozen corn will defrost very quickly so just take it out and when you mix in with other ingredients it will start to completely thaw by the time you’re ready to serve. You want to serve at room temperature anyway.

1 pint grape tomatoes , halved

1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced into small pieces ( app. 1/2 “)

1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup small diced red onion

2 tablespoons minced fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded ( app. 2 small jalapenos) use at your own discretion . Remove Seeds

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice ( 2 limes)

1/4 cup good olive oil

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon minced fresh garlic

1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

2 ripe Hass avocados, seeded, peeled and cut into small cubes.

Directions:

Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeno peppers, and lime zest in a large bowl. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic and cayenne pepper. Pour over the vegetables. Toss well. In the meanwhile cook the corn , bring water to a boil throw in for a few minutes to turn bright yellow, then I throw in a bowl of ice water for a few minutes to stop the cooking and lock in flavor and color. Then remove corn from cob. I let the salad sit for about an hour before adding avocados into the salad. Just fold avocados into the salad when you’re ready to serve. Check for seasoning and serve at room temperature.

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Roast Chicken Salad with Buttermilk Dressing – Weeknight Salad

Posted on May 17, 2013 | 1 comment

DSCN0069photoI was in the mood for something light for dinner and wanted to make a dressing with buttermilk and mustard. I picked up a roast chicken because I was very pressed for time, but didn’t want to eat a plain roast chicken from the market. I grabbed some beautiful romaine, but I know this would be perfectly awesome with kale,  Joel is not big on kale and prefers romaine. Next time I make this I am using chopped kale, preferably baby kale. In any event I used romaine, took the skin off the chicken and shredded it with my hands. Just used romaine, tomatoes, chicken and dressing. Next time out I add avocado for sure, doubt Joel will eat it but I am putting in avocado. This is an awesome lunchtime salad and so easy to pull together for a light dinner meal and mix in whatever other veggies you’d like.  Dressing is killer and only 3 Tablespoons of Buttermilk! This is also awesome if you have leftover chicken and don’t know what to do with it. The inspiration for this salad and dressing comes from a blog I follow,  124 Park. Part of being a part of the blog culture I am exposed to some really wonderful blogs , I just wish I had the time to read all of them.

This dressing should be good for at least 4 servings. Feel free to double it.

Ingredients:

Buttermilk Dressing:

1 clove garlic

1 egg yolk ( let egg sit out at room temperature) just not really cold

3 tablespoons of buttermilk ( lowfat is fine)

1 tablespoon whole grain mustard

1/4  teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of the pepper mill (you can always add more salt if you would like)

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

*feel free to double

Combine all ingredients except for olive oil in the blender including salt and pepper . Keeping blender on , add olive oil from the top in a slow stream until well incorporated.

Put salad greens, avocado , chicken and any other vegetables you’d like in a large bowl. Add dressing and mix salad adding dressing as needed.

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I love Cilantro, Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette

Posted on May 15, 2013 | 2 comments

photo (4)photo (2)I often say how much I love cilantro, and I really do. Luckily for me, Joel seems to really like it, too. It’s a very strong flavored herb. I find people either love it or hate it with no in between. It’s not one of those herbs I would casually throw into food for a dinner party, because a lot of people really don’t like it…even if others really do love it. I like to err on the side of safety. If I really want to use it, I will ask my guests prior to the dinner party whether or not they like it. This is a pretty awesome dressing used on salads and fish, and it is especially interesting in a Mexican style salad! Very tasty and refreshing salad dressing. I posted the Green Goddess dressing the other day and this is a good alternative to that. I made this dressing for Cinco de Mayo and may I say that Joel loved it so much, he poured it on his salmon, extra on his salad, and even put it on his butternut squash! This behavior is especially crazy coming from the man who doesn’t eat green stuff and this dressing was as green as it gets! If you love cilantro like we do you’ll love this very easy salad dressing. Next time I make it, I am going to pour it all over my salmon too!

INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup lime juice (2 small limes)
2 tablespoons white vinegar

1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon spicy brown mustard (like Guldens or Dijon; I used Dijon because I can’t get enough of that mustard!)

1/2 cup olive oil (you can use a light olive oil)

DIRECTIONS:

Combine lime juice, vinegar, and cilantro in a blender and blend till smooth. Add the brown sugar, garlic and salt, and again blend until smooth. Spoon the mustard in and while the blender is running, slowly pour the olive oil into the mixture in a thin stream until dressing emulsifies and ingredients are thoroughly combined.

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Cinco de Mayo Salad and Green Goddess Dressing

Posted on May 1, 2013 | 2 comments

photo (2)photo (5)photo (2) photo May is here and it brings warm weather and beautiful flowers and springtime has finally arrived. This is a perfect way to bring a little Cinco de Mayo into your home in a pretty healthy way.

Any excuse to celebrate a holiday with a new recipe! Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone and here is a new salad and salad dressing to help celebrate with. While I am not a vegan and don’t always cook that way,  I tried this salad dressing which I found in Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook, “It’s All Good”, and I have to say it is all good! All good ingredients. I am not talking diet food–just good, healthy food, that when eaten in moderation, yields very good results. I used * Vegenaise in making this and highly recommend it in the place of mayonnaise. You can also use yogurt in its place. This is low salt and low sugar. Delicious, fresh ingredients. I made it with the delicious salad listed below. I love love cilantro, and I have to say that if you don’t love cilantro, this one’s not for you. I used half of a jalapeno and it was not hot at all, next time I will use a little more.  I scraped the seeds out. Be very careful handling jalapenos and their seeds–make sure to wash your hands well afterwards and maybe wear gloves to prevent any problems.

This dressing will keep well in a jar for up to a week.

*a little story about Vegenaise, which is lighter than mayonnaise and contains no eggs, milk or animal products. No GMO’s (Genetically Modified Organisms). Mix it with Dijon for great flavor in the place of real mayo. Extra added bonus is a great jar to store future salad dressings in.

Ingredients:

*this will be vegan if you use Vegenaise

DRESSING INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup of Vegenaise, yogurt, or mayonnaise

2 scallions, white and light green parts only, chopped

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 4 limes)

1/2 green jalapeno, roughly chopped (you can use more or less, whatever level of heat you like)

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon honey

DRESSING DIRECTIONS:

Blend all ingredients in a blender except for olive oil (I open the top and pour oil in after all other ingredients are combined.) It is a beautiful light green color with specks of dark green. Joel was definitely suspicious of the color but he really loved it! Gave it a big thumbs up!

This should serve 4 nicely as a salad but adjust quantities based on how many people you are feeding.

SALAD INGREDIENTS:

About two hearts of romaine Lettuce, shredded

1/2 can of yellow corn (or 2 fresh ears of corn, shucked)

1/2 can black beans (I use organic canned beans and rinse and drain them)

4 scallions, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced

1 ripe avocado, cut into chunks

approx. 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes (I used delicious cherry tomatoes, halved)

1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro

Green Goddess Dressing (see above)

If you’re using fresh corn, you’ll have to cook it first. I used the canned version this time. Place the lettuce in a large bowl and dress it with about 1/4 cup of the dressing, just so it’s nicely coated. I then added beans, tomatoes, scallions, avocado, cilantro and corn. Add a little more salad dressing, and serve immediately. Joel likes a lot more dressing on his salad so I served with dressing on the side. And no he didn’t eat all that stuff in the salad; he just ate lettuce and tomatoes…he really doesn’t know what he’s missing!

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Roasted Asparagus with Simple Lemon Vinaigrette- Springtime is here

Posted on April 8, 2013 | 2 comments

photoI wish it were warmer but I can feel it coming, any day now . If you read my blog you know how very much I love asparagus and I am always looking for new things to do with it. Love the woody fresh flavor they bring with them. Asparagus may be a year round presence these days, but the “real” deal appears each and every spring. It’s only for a few months that we’ll have these beautiful spears. I love them barely cooked with a simple delicious vinaigrette, love them in an omelette, salads, pastas and just plain roasted . Just don’t overcook them, that’s sad , they go limp and stringy and just plain old bad. I love them just cooked and thrown into my Quinoa Salad. Just throw them into a pot of boiling salted water for a minute till they turn bright green, remove and cool down and mix in with the quinoa for a delicious addition.  This recipe below is to roast asparagus in the oven and top it with this simple lemon vinaigrette. It stands on its own as a side dish or you can add it to any salad.

Ingredients:

3/4 – 1 lb. fresh asparagus, remove woody stems and if they’re very thick take a vegetable peeler to them. I usually just break off the bottoms where they will just snap off when you bend them, or use a knife.

olive oil ( a good glug)

kosher salt

freshly ground black pepper

Vinaigrette:

1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 lemon, juiced

1 tablespoon olive oil

kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

*this can easily be doubled

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

Break off the ends of the asparagus and if they’re very thick, peel them a little bit with a vegetable peeler. Place the asparagus on a baking sheet, drizzle with a good glug of good olive oil, then toss to coat the asparagus completely. Spread the asparagus in a single layer and sprinkle liberally with Salt and Pepper. Roast the asparagus until tender but still firm and moist. About 20 – 25 minutes.

Make the vinaigrette: in a small bowl, vigorously whisk together the mustard and lemon juice. Slowly drizzle the olive oil in, whisking quickly so olive oil will emulsify into the juice mixture. Season with Salt and Pepper. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold. If you refrigerate, take out for about an hour so it’s not super cold when you serve.

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