4.13.2011
4.12.2011
Summer Cravings
I can't wait for summer, literally. My mind is stuck on food. Fresh, easy, and delicious food. Sitting outside late afternoon, sipping wine or delectable cocktails, and enjoying time with the ones you love.
| Ingredients - |
1 large Cucumber, chopped 2 Roma (plum) Tomatoes, chopped 1 (5 ounces) jar pitted Kalamata Olives 1 (4 ounces) package Feta Cheese, crumbled 1 Red Onion, halved and thinly sliced 1/2 (10 ounces) package Romaine Lettuce Leaves 1/2 (10 ounces) package Baby Greens Vinaigrette Dressing: 6 tablespoons Olive Oil 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano 1 teaspoon Dried Basil 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard 1 teaspoon Fresh Lemon Juice 1 1/2 cups Red Wine Vinegar |
| Preparation: |
Add chopped cucumber, chopped tomato, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, sliced red onion, romaine lettuce, and baby greens to large serving bowl. Vinaigrette Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, and red wine vinegar. Panzanella Salad - found here
|
Ingredients
- 1 (12- to 16-oz.) ciabatta or Italian bread loaf
- 12 plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
- 1 large red onion, cut into 8 wedges
- 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 seedless cucumber, halved and sliced
- 1/2 cup firmly packed chopped fresh basil
- 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
- 1. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high). Cut bread loaf into 8 (1-inch-thick) slices; cut slices in half, if desired.
- 2. Drizzle tomatoes and onion with 2 Tbsp. oil, tossing to coat.
- 3. Grill tomatoes and onion, covered with grill lid, over 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until lightly charred.
- 4. Coarsely chop grilled tomatoes and onion, and place in a medium bowl. Add 2 Tbsp. oil, cucumber, and next 3 ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 5. Brush bread slices with remaining 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Grill, without grill lid, over 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned and toasted.
- 6. Place grilled bread slices on individual serving plates; top with tomato mixture.
Watermelon-Feta Salad - found here
Ingredients
- 1 (5-pound) watermelon
- 1 Vidalia or other sweet onion
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 6 whole mint sprigs
Directions
Cut the flesh from the melon and cut into bite size pieces, removing and discarding the seeds, and set aside. Peel and slice the onion into rings.
In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, pepper, and whisk until salt is dissolved. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, a few drops at a time. Add in the chopped mint, taste, and adjust seasonings.
In a large bowl, combine the melon, onion, and feta. Pour thedressing over the melon mixture and toss gently until everything is coated and evenly mixed. Garnish with mint sprigs.
To serve, divide salad among individual plates and garnish with mint leaves.
Ingredients
- 1 (12- to 16-oz.) ciabatta or Italian bread loaf
- 12 plum tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise
- 1 large red onion, cut into 8 wedges
- 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 seedless cucumber, halved and sliced
- 1/2 cup firmly packed chopped fresh basil
- 4 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
- 1. Preheat grill to 350° to 400° (medium-high). Cut bread loaf into 8 (1-inch-thick) slices; cut slices in half, if desired.
- 2. Drizzle tomatoes and onion with 2 Tbsp. oil, tossing to coat.
- 3. Grill tomatoes and onion, covered with grill lid, over 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until lightly charred.
- 4. Coarsely chop grilled tomatoes and onion, and place in a medium bowl. Add 2 Tbsp. oil, cucumber, and next 3 ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 5. Brush bread slices with remaining 1 Tbsp. olive oil. Grill, without grill lid, over 350° to 400° (medium-high) heat 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned and toasted.
- 6. Place grilled bread slices on individual serving plates; top with tomato mixture.
Watermelon-Feta Salad - found here
Ingredients
- 1 (5-pound) watermelon
- 1 Vidalia or other sweet onion
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 6 whole mint sprigs
Directions
Cut the flesh from the melon and cut into bite size pieces, removing and discarding the seeds, and set aside. Peel and slice the onion into rings.
In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, pepper, and whisk until salt is dissolved. Slowly whisk in the olive oil, a few drops at a time. Add in the chopped mint, taste, and adjust seasonings.
In a large bowl, combine the melon, onion, and feta. Pour thedressing over the melon mixture and toss gently until everything is coated and evenly mixed. Garnish with mint sprigs.
To serve, divide salad among individual plates and garnish with mint leaves.
ENJOY!!! XOXO
SL Half Marathon
Countdown. 5 days. 1/2 Marathon GO time!
So excited to knock this sucker off the list.. after completing the SL 10 Miler a week ago, I have a new found love for race day! Even though I have yet to officially complete the 1/2, I know it won't be my last! The excitement and adrenaline at the start line and throughout is so fun! And, what better way to enjoy it than with your best friends??!
Jessie and I before the 10 Miler
Alan meeting us at the finish line with flowers :)
Jessie and I have our race outfits purchased (which include hot pink sports bras people-YES) and our game faces on! Motivating Alan and Kris with cocktail bribes at the finish line! Ha!
Side note: The race donates all of the proceeds to the Huntsman Cancer Institute. I will personally be running in honor of Alan's mom, who passed away about a year and a half ago from breast cancer. Can't wait to honor such a wonderful woman!
2.08.2011
2.06.2011
11.04.2010
"When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight."
~Kahlil Gibran
It's been a tough last couple weeks..
Losing a loved one is always difficult, but losing two dear grandparents close to each other is heart wrenching. I have so many wonderful memories that will sustain me, but their smiles, laughter, and stories will be missed so much.
I was so fortunate to have close relationships with my grandparents. I often had sleepovers, went on shopping dates, and enjoyed visiting with them. They had so many adventures to tell me about. The stories never got old, and to be honest, I don't think I heard the same one more than once, ever.
Our bond was special and unique. It's hard to imagine that I will not have any of my grandparents attend my upcoming wedding. However, I will forever treasure the last conversations I had with each of them which somehow shared that common theme.
Love them and miss them tremendously.
"Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know that they are happy."
-Author Unknown
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