Friday, January 29, 2010

Dressing Up a Salad

Salads consisting of organic mixed baby greens, and the above pictured items, make up most of our week day dinners lately. Both my husband and I thoroughly enjoy a nice hearty salad as our meal. At this point you are probably thinking to yourself,"well, how nice of her to share their dinner menu with us." The reason I did, is to share a salad dressing is one of our favorites. Three separate times I was served salads with this dressing and requested the recipe, only to find out that it was the same recipe each time.


The recipe is quite simple to whip up.

Robin's Poppy Seed Dressing
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup cider vinegar
4 T. lemon juice
2 T. dried onion
1 t. salt
1 1/3 cups canola oil
3 t. poppy seeds

Put everything in a quart jar with a good lid, and shake very hard. Pour into a salad dressing bottle or a small glass pitcher when serving.(I did not have poppy seeds on hand so I added a teaspoon of fine herbs)
It is a delicious dressing!
My friend gave me a good idea when she served salads at a luncheon. She put the desired amount of dressing in the bottom of a big bowl, then added the salad and tossed it together, instead of pouring the dressing over the top and tossing. She said it takes less dressing to do it that way.
This can be stored in the refrigerator for a few weeks(if it lasts that long).



Since we eat so many salads I am always looking for good toppings. Here are a few I buy to keep in my freezer and use as needed. We think each of these used individually, up the salad a few notches. Of course, Paula knows just how to do that, doesn't she?


Sometimes we choose this topping package in the refrigerated salad section of the grocery store. The new packaged salad finishers from Sargento. They can be used to complete two to four salads in each package. There are a variety of packages, but this is the one we choose.
Sometimes we add thinly slices grilled chicken to our salads. Sometimes breaded chicken tenders, baked and thinly sliced, and sometimes chunks of grilled salmon.
Any and all of these create a wonderful, light, healthy dinner or luncheon completed quickly.



And then, if your daughter has baked some tiny cupcakes...they might just be a perfect way to finish the meal, with a cup of decaf coffee.
It's Friday...the weekend will soon be here!




20 comments:

Jen said...

You've inspired me to eat more salads as our MAIN entree' and not just a side. Declicious suggestions, and I can't wait to try that salad dressing! Thanks for sharing your great tips as always...

Happy@Home said...

I can relate to this post as I have been eating salad for lunch several days a week. I find I am making more trips to the grocery store in an effort to have a variety of fresh ingredients on hand at all times. I love the organic field greens. Thanks for sharing your salad dressing recipe. It sounds delicious and looks pretty in your glass pitcher.
Here's to healthy eating in the new year.

Lovella ♥ said...

I love salad for a main course especially when I have some protein like eggs or grilled chicken to top it with.
That dressing looks really similar to the one I put over my spinach and strawberry salad in spring.

Landis said...

You'll be happy to know that the hubby and I had your awesome taco salad recipe last night. We have no leftovers. :) I will definitely have to try that dressing recipe! Thanks for sharing!

Landis said...

You'll be happy to know that the hubby and I had your awesome taco salad recipe last night. We have no leftovers. :) I will definitely have to try that dressing recipe! Thanks for sharing!

Landis said...

You'll be happy to know that the hubby and I had your awesome taco salad recipe last night. We have no leftovers. :) I will definitely have to try that dressing recipe! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Judy thanks for your visit. This story of Lisa is so sad. I think that salad dressing sounds delis. You are so right about the healthy eating. We are trying. Blessings for this weekend coming up.
QMM

Melanie said...

Dear Judy,
I have missed visiting your place. Somehow when we were in Gainesville with Andrew, my blogroll got almost completely deleted.
I am just now rebuilding that list.
I can enjoy your creativity again!
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Charmingdesigns said...

Love the sound of that dressing. I think I'll make it up for tonights salid, Thanks so much.
Lovella mentioned spinach and strawberry, that sounds good too. Come on Spring!!

lindsey said...

Sounds great and the cupcakes do of course finish it off perfectly. In the UK, however, we dont get the great choice of salad toppings as you do over there..they look and sound wonderful!

Judy said...

Your salad looks so good...and it's almost time for lunch...so a salad it will be! Poppyseed dressings are my favorite...I'm copying out your recipe.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

I want this salad TONIGHT! Isn't it funny how everything looks wonderful when you are hungry. I love the pictures... for me, they are still worth 1000 words!

Brenda @ Its A Beautiful Life said...

Sounds yummy! And the salad looks wonderful. I love salads with lots of flavours, textures, colours to surprise with each bite.

Christine said...

I like your "tidbit" about the salad dressing at the bottom of the bowl, then the salad!

It's like a surprise in your salad.

Melinda said...

I love SALADS-could eat them every day BUT I think my stomach may have something to say about that.
I like the idea of puttining the dressing in the bottom and then tossing the salad.

Yum! Yum!

Melinda

Anonymous said...

Oh thank you so much Judy! I am always looking for new salad dressings too. This is one I will try for sure. I love salads and they are so good for you. I also love those little cupcakes. Soo pretty!

Tracy said...

Looks delicious! You're certainly right...our posts today make wonderful companions! = )

We absolutely love salad and we're always looking for ways to "change it up." Thanks for sharing about these products. Some I have seen, others are new to me. Anxious to try your poppy seed recipe, too.

Enjoy your weekend!
Tracy

Blessings each day said...

I am looking forward to trying your sald dressing, Judy and it will help encourage Michael (I hope) to eat more sald as he needs to lose weight for health reasons (but claims he got burned out on salads six yrs ago...before we were married...when he ate them everyday after finding out about his heart condition.)

The toppings are a great idea too.

blessings and hugs,

marcy

a woman who is said...

You know we tend to eat a lot of salads too, but I have never really noticed those salad topper bags of goodies...I will have to check them out!

One thing I have been adding lately to our salad is arugula. Just love a touch of that spicy taste with the organic greens.

LisaShaw said...

Thanks for sharing this with us Judy. We are salad eaters as well. Loved the photos. I may have to try this dressing because hubby loves poppy seed dressing.

Hugs and love and thanks!

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