Sometimes a light yet satisfying meal is just what I’m in the mood for. Nothing too heavy but yet something that won’t leave me feeling hungry in an hour. Pasta crab salad is just right for lunchtime or with buttered bread for an evening meal.
Continue Reading
Toni’s Cherry Balsamic Vinaigrette
This is an easy recipe for a delicious cherry balsamic vinaigrette made with cherry preserves. It is full of flavor and perfect on a bed of mixed greens or spinach. Add your favorite salad add-ins. Serve as is or top with grilled steak, chicken or shrimp.Continue Reading
Arugula, Apple and Fennel Salad from Valerie Bertinelli’s New Cook Book

Spunky and adorable, Valerie Bertinelli recently released a cookbook titled, Valerie’s Home Cooking. The publisher gave me a free copy to look through and review. I am sharing Valerie’s, easy recipe for Arugula, Apple and Fennel Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette and Three-Cheese Crostini. I think it is perfect during these January days as we try eating lighter after the holidays. Continue Reading
Creamy French Dressing
We all have our favorite dressing for salad. I tend toward the creamy dressings. This Creamy French Dressing is not really French at all but popular in American households for many years. Typical to what you might find in a diner or restaurant, it is inexpensive using staples you probably have in the pantry and so much better than store bought. It is easy to make and keeps well in the fridge.Continue ReadingAll-American Macaroni Salad & Fireworks!
Light up the grill and bring out the hotdogs, burgers, chicken or steaks. Add the sides and get ready to celebrate! Memorial Day is the kick-off of the backyard get-togethers that continues through Labor Day with the 4th of July right in the middle. What is one favorite side that shows up at each celebration? Yes, All-American Macaroni Salad.Wolfgang Puck’s Spago House Dressing

Carrot Salad Side Dish
What is lurking in your crisper drawer? It can be a little scary if you don’t get to the bottom of the drawer very often. I try to go through the fridge once a week to see what is approaching expiration, what needs to be thrown out and then wipe down the shelves. A lone bag of carrots became a tasty carrot salad side dish before they began growing roots!Continue ReadingToni’s Salad Dressing
Toni is my niece. She is bright, sweet, beautiful, fun, kind, thoughtful… well, you get the picture. Just an all-round really nice person and I love her to pieces. She is becoming quite an accomplished cook as well. But then she’s been inspired by the best, her mom (my sister).
Toni shared a recipe with me for a delicious salad dressing. We enjoyed it this evening over a simple salad of romaine greens, sliced yellow squash, red onions, a few raspberries and addicting caramelized almonds. I would have added feta or goat cheese if I had some. Aren’t the colors beautiful?
Three Bean Salad

When you are looking for just the right side dish to round out the menu, this easy recipe for three bean salad is perfect. An old-fashioned favorite, it combines green and waxed beans, kidney beans, onion and bell pepper tossed in a sweetened vinaigrette. Serve it with burgers and hotdogs, barbecued chicken or pork at your next cookout!
