Monday, June 2, 2008

A Salad Recipe

We tried a new recipe tonight and it was a hit! If you get "Taste of Home" magazine you will probably recognize this recipe because it is from the latest issue. All of my children ate this, with no complaints. Either they are great eaters, or they know better than to complain :). Most of them did have seconds, though, and there were no leftovers.

Southwestern Spinach Salad

1/2 c. picante sauce (I used salsa because this is what I had)
1/4 c. prepared Italian dressing (I made mine--recipe to follow)
1/4 t. cumin
4 c. baby spinach (I used a large bag of spinach)
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 c. sliced fresh mushrooms (I didn't have any)
1 c. red pepper (I used green pepper)
1/2 c. sliced red onion (I omitted)
*My additions*--cucumber, grape tomatoes--
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled (I added more since I used more spinach)
4 hard-cooked eggs, sliced (I used 6)

In a bowl, combine picante sauce (or salsa), italian dressing and cumin. Set aside. Combine spinach, beans, veggies and bacon. Drizzle dressing over and toss to coat. Garnish with eggs.

My Italian Dressing recipe:

4 oz. balsamic vinegar (I love the stuff!)
12 oz. olive oil
1/2 t. oregano
1/4 t. basil
1/4. t onion powder
1/4 t. salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 T. sugar

Remember--I only used a 1/4 c. of this dressing. However, I used more spinach, but not more dressing. While the salad was delicious, it could have used a little more dressing. So, if you make more of the salad, be sure to increase the dressing!

Great deals at Aldi's: A bag of spinach is only $1.69 and $.99 for a package of grape tomatoes

AND . . .

CUCUMBERS ARE ONLY $ .29 this week!! I am not kidding! I love that grocery store. I actually drive over 30 miles to get to the nearest one because the deals are so good. I honestly don't buy much prepackaged food (besides an emergency cake mix and one or two other items) and it is STILL worth it. We save a TON on groceries.

Enjoy!

In Christ, Laura
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3 comments:

Martie and Heather said...

Love Aldi's too!!! Great buys!!! It's time for our monthly trip. We always go to the one in Cary and then treat ourselves at the "Great Harvest Bread Co.", my hubby knows the owner and we want to support him. (plus yummy sweet breads)

Tue Jun 03, 12:41:00 PM
Teri said...

I absolutely love your blog. I am wondering how you get your children to eat vegetables, let alone salad?
We have a new Aldi in town. I haven't been yet but am so excited to go.
Thanks for the recipe.
Teri

Wed Jun 04, 10:59:00 AM
laura mouro said...

Teri, I guess my children eat vegetables because they see me eating them? I offer them at every meal and we do make them eat them. I don't make them eat a lot if they don't like it, and I try to make the same veggie in different forms. For example, my son Jonas hated broccoli. He would gag and cry and we would just make him eat one bite. Well, I made a cream of broccoli soup one day he loved it. I told him it was broccoli and ever since them he has eaten the florets more readily. We don't make the little ones (Katria and Elyse) eat stuff yet. But, they still do. Now, all of my bio. children hated salad until Jerome and Ruth came. I didn't even bother to make them eat it. But, one day, Jerome wanted some and I told him I didn't think he would like it. Well, that made him all the more determined to try it. He liked it and the other children then wanted to try some and now they ALL love it. It is so weird. I also do raw veggies with dip at lunch and hide veggies in everything--zucchini muffins, spinach lasagna, etc. Try and try again. But, they all have things they don't like and I don't push it, just a bite or two--because I know they will eat other veggies. I guess they just haven't had any other choice--I put veggies in everything and if they don't eat it, they will be hungry. Actually, it amazes me what they do eat. I NEVER would have eaten what they eat when I was a kid. NEVER--no lentils, veggie soup, black beans. Neither would Cameron. Oh! And with my Liberians, I KNOW they don't like some of the veggies (Ruth esp.), but if she wants seconds on anything--like meat, she knows she has to clear her plate, so she eats it.

Okay, that was REALLY long-winded, sorry :)

Alid's is great! I hope you like it, but know that you have to bring a quarter to get a cart and you have to either bring your own bags or buy them there and you have to bag your own groceries--that's the catch.

In Christ, Laura

Thu Jun 05, 01:19:00 PM

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