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Sunday, December 13, 2009

Harvest Salad Heads Up This Easy Friday Night Dinner

My sister sent this recipe for Harvest Salad that we make for a lot of our family parties. This salad is so good and perfect for the holidays. Even looks like Christmas!



Harvest Salad

Dressing:

Whisk to Blend:

¼ cup mayo

¼ cup pure maple syrup

3 Tbsp Champagne vinegar

2 tsp sugar

Gradually whisk in:

½ cup canola oil

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

Salad:

Mix field greens

2 granny smith apples cut into matchsticks (I like my bigger)

½ cup dried tart cherries or crandberries

½ cup candid pecans (I found some made by Frito Lay called Praline Pecans that I love)

Sliced red onions

Add dressing just before serving.

For the rest of the quick and easy Friday night dinner...



I can’t tell you how much I LOVE my indoor grill. I know I have said it before but I have to say it again. I make a quick and healthy dinner in a matter of minutes and it tastes so fantastic. I cooked this salmon in about ten minutes and it is almost as good as cooking it on the Weber. I bought the salmon from my local meat and seafood market – the Daily Grind – at 600 Walnut Avenue. I don’t need to go to the grocery store anymore now that I have this great market near my house who also carries both produce and good bread. The prices…a little bit more than the local grocery but the food is 500% better. I now shop daily. Everything is so fresh. I have always loved the way Europeans eat and I can do that now.



I use my Asian plates because they are a clever portion control tool. I know, it looks like an enormous meal when in fact it is a tiny bite sized portion. I trick myself into being full even before I finish half of it. The best investment that I have made in my healthy lifestyle is my Asian plates…all from my resale store for $3.00.



To compliment my quick and easy, my friend bought a bottle of wine from The Village Market in Lake Bluff for $12.00 and it was incredible. Gouguenheim Valle Escondido is a 2008 Chardonnay from Argentina and was a huge surprise for our Friday night dinner. Sue has really picked some great wines to pair with your meals so ask her about it the next time you are in. The Village Market is at 24 East Scranton and has a large wine room in the back with wine tastings every Saturday from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.

Bon Appetit!