Hold the Lettuce, Please

Looking forward to warmer weather and dropping a few pounds, I decided to start researching foodie blogs that showcased lighter fare. So over the weekend, I discovered blog after blog filled with healthier goodness and quite a few with recipes that could be tweaked into lighter versions. I saw a photo of a Shades of Green Chopped Salad on Food 52, via For the Love of Yum and I immediately posted it on my Facebook page. As you've come to expect of me, I had to try a few this week, and this one is already on repeat. I was particularly drawn to the crunch of the apple and cucumber, blended with the creamy texture of the avocado, then throw in ANY cheese and nuts and I'm all over it. This is the perfect green salad, with no lettuce in sight. I'm notorious for opening the veggie bin and being creeped out by what my greens have turned into, so this eliminated that problem. The next plan is to enjoy it with a teeny bit of crumbled bacon, grilled fish or chicken, or all by it's lonesome again.

Here's the original recipe. I skipped the dressing and used the ingredients that I had on hand. I enjoyed it last night for dinner, with a drizzle of oil, then again today for lunch without the oil, but with a splash of champagne vinegar instead. That's the great thing about creating dishes you enjoy, tweaking them to your heart's desire.

Here's how I made lunch today (I missed taking shots of cutting and removing the avocado pit):

Add the chopped mixture to serving dish (no photo), then add the following:

This can easily be switched into a pear salad, you can play with the cheese or nut options and choose your own dressing (or not). Whatever the case, I think you'll enjoy a nice chopped lettuce-less salad. Go ahead, try it, add your own spin to it and come back and leave your comments.

By the way, this isn't the Temptation Tuesday post...it's coming. I was just so excited about this salad that you're getting a rare double post today.

Sheila Denise

Spinach Salad...Simple & Delicious

A couple of weeks ago, an opportunity was presented that has allowed me to reconnect with many people whom I hadn't been afforded the time to truly relate to on the level that I would prefer. So in my excitement of hanging out and reconnecting, it occurred to me on Sunday that I have been eating and drinking like a celebrating idiot. I've probably eaten enough over the last couple of weeks to feed a frugal family of four--mind you, I'm not ashamed of this fact, but the truth is, I need to do a better job of making better decisions regarding food. Yes, I'm sure you noticed that I didn't mention drinking, that's because I ain't changing my "drankin" habits.

In efforts to eat better, I decided to visit one of my favorite markets for fresh produce, seafood, cheeses, coffees, desserts (that I didn't purchase) and practically everything else under the sun. This place is Your Dekalb Farmers Market, in Decatur. This place is simply a sight to behold and well worth the trip. I would have taken pics for y'all but they don't allow cameras, so you'll just have to take my word for it or go see for yourself. Besides having almost everything I needed to stock my fridge with freshness, the prices are fantastic!! I always leave wondering if they forgot to ring up half of my purchase.

In honor of my first day of "being good" with my eating habits, I decided to make a Spinach Salad. You know the green stuff that many people overlook on salad bars...yep that stuff. This is one of the simplest salads to make. You only need a few ingredients.

Spinach
Strawberries
Pecans
Red/Purple Onion
Goat Cheese or Bleu Cheese

Add a basic vinaigrette and dinner is served. Tonight, I used EVOO, strawberry balsamic vinegar, stone ground mustard, honey, coarsely ground black pepper and this was the perfect combination to bring all the salad ingredients together.

Y'all pretty much know by now that, besides baking, I'm not a measuring kinda girl, so I have no idea how much of each ingredient I used to make the dressing, but I can tell you that the best mixing method is a good old-fashioned mason jar--I used a recycled Classico Pesto jar. I know what you're thinking... on top of being really cute, I'm rather crafty huh??

Please send good vibes in my quest for better eating.

Sheila Denise

Salmon Croquette Medallions

I absolutely love weekend mornings when I can enjoy a leisurely breakfast/brunch. I tend to skip breakfast alot during the work week, because I don't like to eat in a hurry. This morning, I didn't really want a traditional breakfast, so I decided to make salmon croquettes. I'm going through a "small bites" phase, so I made them smaller than usual.

While on my little scavenger hunt in the fridge, I noticed some peanut sauce from a couple of weeks ago, a small piece of parmesan, half a red pepper and some green leaf lettuce headed towards the end of it's life and they all ended up in this morning's meal--Salmon Croquette Medallions Salad with Grated Parmesan and Peanut Sauce.


Sheila Denise

White Dishes: Episode 1

As mentioned in my little bio, I'm a lover of white dishes. I have no idea how many I have, but I do know they won't all fit in my kitchen, so they live unhappily in the garage as well as the bonus room. I think I'll convert the bonus into a hugemongous butler's pantry to house all my white dishes in style...someday.

I was shopping earlier this week (I shop almost daily) and stumbled upon these:

I knew instantly they'd become a part of my tribe of white plates, platters, bowls and the like. I scooped them up and naturally started scouring the store for more. Unfortunately, I didn't find more; however, I'm still on the prowl.

I can't be the only person who feels that specific foods MUST be served on specific dishes. When I saw these, I instantly thought about salads and hors d' oeuvres. I later read, on a message board I frequent, that a member had enjoyed an Asian Chicken Salad for dinner and the light bulb went off!!

I'm one of those people who must find an excuse to use the new stuff right away, so I did. Now I can gleefully tuck them away with the rest of my babies.


Sheila Denise

My Favorite Chicken Salad

This is my favorite version of chicken salad, loaded with Granny Smith apples, currants, red grapes and pecans. Sweet, tart, crunchy, creamy and delicious!


For some time now, my Aunt Maxine's chicken salad was the standard by with all others were judged. As one of my cooking idols (okay she's one of my all around idols), I'm always trying to make dishes that taste almost as good a hers. I had a desire for chicken salad and I usually plan a trip to Macon to visit her (after mentioning how much I'd love to have some chicken salad) to quench my desire. This time, I decided I'd give Aunt Maxine a break, so I used her recipe to make what I consider to be one of my tastiest, easiest creations. Although my chicken salad is delicious, it can never replace Aunt Maxine's version--in this case it's about much, much more than the chicken salad--it's the love she puts into it and the time we share while enjoying it.

Sheila Denise