Super Lunchtime Salads

Jan here. It may be sunny outside, but I'm in the middle of a post-deadline-fog.

Yes, I turned in the book I was working on - the third story in The Amish of Weaver's Creek! And yes, we'll celebrate!

But let my brain start working on a 2019 timeline again before we do that...I've been living in 1865 for months!

As part of my efforts to get my thinking back into the right gear, I bought the ingredients that I needed for these Super Salads on my last grocery trip. After a summer like we had - no kitchen, no pantry, living on fast foods and convenience foods - I'm ready to get back to healthy eating!

So today I'm sharing a post from a few years back. I had just discovered this salad idea and had to share it with you! So chop your lettuce, get out your favorite salad bowl, and dig in!

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Super Lunchtime Salads: not just for summer!

In the Black Hills of South Dakota, we're firmly in the middle of golden October days.

The bison are in their prime, ready to impress the ladies. It is mating season, after all!

And the leaves are gorgeous golden yellow!

So we might think it's time for warm stews and fresh bread, right?

Not for my lunches! I still enjoy a salad a couple times a week, even on the cold and blustery days.

So why do I call this a "Super Salad"? Because of all the nutritious goodness that gets packed in the bowl.

Super Lunch Time Salads

Oh, did I mention that this is easy-peasy? Perfect for a quick grab from the fridge on a busy day?

Start with a bowl of lettuce.

I keep a big bowl of torn romaine and iceberg lettuce in the fridge - it's quick and easy to fill my salad bowl with a bunch.

Then add whatever veggies you have. I added some diced cucumber and a bit of sliced onion.

Next, add protein and healthy fats.

On this day I had some leftover roast beef, and I cut up a small avocado. Yum! On other days I might open a can of tuna, or use some leftover chicken, or a quartered boiled egg.

I usually add a sprinkle of these hulled hemp seeds:

They are nutritious and add a nutty crunchy flavor to the salad.

But to make the salad super nutritious, I add this:

That stuff in the mason jar is wonderful. I got the idea from the Trim Healthy Mama cookbook, but used ingredients I had on hand.

1 cup nutritional yeast (NOT baking yeast)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (the powdery kind, in the green can)
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon basil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 Tablespoons dry parsley flakes

Mix all of these together (I put them in a one quart mason jar and shake), and keep it in the refrigerator.

Sprinkle it on salads, eggs, soups...whatever you want.

I use just over a teaspoon on my salad.

And add whatever dressing you want to use. Ranch goes well with the beef and avocado!

That's it! All you have to do is toss it around a bit and munch down!

And on those really cold days? I add a cup of steaming hot beef or chicken broth to my lunch.

Do you eat salads in the fall and winter?

Jan Drexler loves her family, her home, cooking and just about anything made by hand. But she loves her Lord most of all.

Stop by Jan's website to learn more about her books: www.JanDrexler.com

Super Heros – Kitchen Confessional Style

In the Steele household we have a long tradition of Superman affection. Everyone, from the three month old baby to ManO (get it, Man Of Steel) has a Superman  tee-shirt or two or four.  Don’t ask us to choose our favorite Superman either.  The comic version, George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, Smallville. We have loved them all. Except for the latest guy. They changed his uniform.  Don’t mess with the uniform. Why you say?  I have a shirt that says why! "The chicks dig the uniform."

Of course the kids expanded their superhero love to include the X Men, Wonder Woman, and others. Last weekend was a certain boy’s five year old birthday celebration. He requested everyone come in SUPER HERO costumes or at least a super hero tee shirt. Face it,  superheroes make play time better.  

When it comes to cooking there are certain foods like blueberries, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach and walnuts that make our health better. They've earned the Super Food label because they contain the concentrated antioxidants, omega oils or vitamins our bodies need. Google and you will find varying lists of what is a superfood is and what might be best for certain health conditions or goals. Eat these and your body will thank you.

But then there are other foods that I consider my Kitchen Super Heroes, foods that aren't quite as  healthy. They make dishes special, take them up a notch.  Some of my faves include sprinkles, bacon, cheese, and chocolate. Add any of these and something plain goes fancy.

But my favorite Kitchen Super Hero of the moment is my Super Sauce/Dressing.  I have a base of ingredients I use to create a cold sauce, perfect for meat, seafood or even plain veggie salad.  It turns leftovers into a special meal without heating the kitchen. Depending on what I am serving, I add or subtract ingredients. 

This week, I roasted the last of the season's red peppers at 425 for 20 minutes until they turned black.

Food stylists know better than to put a food item on a clear dish. Sigh.

I took them out of the oven and covered the dish with aluminum foil. They steamed themselves for thirty minutes. I removed the skins and chopped them up. 

I pureed them in an immersion blender and added them to the base. Oh, may I sing a love song about my hand held blender?  Now there is a Super Hero appliance for you. Trust me, it looks plain and small, kind of like Clark Kent. BTW, did you know Clark Kent was named after Clark Gable? But man does it come to the rescue more times than not in my house!

And then I served it over sliced chicken and a bed of lettuce and cherry tomatoes. Luscious.

Super easy and super delicious!

Here is the recipe for making your own Super Sauce base, along with a few suggestions for complimenting different main ingredients.

Super Sauce/Dressing Base:

1/2 cup mayo

1/4 cup olive oil (add more or less if you want a sauce consistency or a dressing)

1/2 teaspoon salt

Super Sauce/Dressing Add-ins:

For seafood:  Add 1 tablespoon Old Bay Seasoning and juice of one half lemon

For beef: Add 1 tablespoon brown mustard, minced onion and a dash Worcestershire sauce

For Thousand Island type dressing: Add 2 T ketchup and minced pickles

For Blue Cheese: Add 1/4 blue cheese crumbles and dash Worcestershire sauce   

For Taco Salad:  Add 1 T salsa seasoning, diced tomatoes or chilis

Blending Instructions:

Blend base ingredients with a whisk, food processor or immersion blender. Add other ingredients and stir. Chill a few hours, best if overnight.  Serve over cold meat or veggies.

So what do you consider YOUR Super Hero or Super food? Do you have a simple addition to any recipe or meal that makes it special?