Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Mediterranean Salad, A Quick Craft Project and Flowers From...

First of all, I have to tell you something. I HATE DRIVING IN THE SNOW AND ICE!!! A couple of times this evening my car thought we were going for a fun day of ice skating...until I straightened it's rear-end out (okay, literally). Ha! It wasn't as extreme as I'm making it but it's always enough to freak me out. Then the news said we're expecting two more storms so I went to the market on the way home and spent $150.00 worth of groceries because I'm thinking Armageddon is coming. I know, I know...I sound like a little pathetic California girl. Well, I got news for ya, I AM! Whaaaaaa!!! I thought the snow was beautiful and so festive and in one day I hate it!

Moving on, remember I told you I would post a recipe for the salad that Bryan and I made? Well, here are a few of the pictures I saved. There were more including the final product but I lost them somehow. Enjoy the few pictures I have and I must say, this is THE BEST salad I have ever had! It is so refreshing and also filling! This can easily be a meal! I have to credit Bryan for this one. He discovered the recipe and brought it over. We've decided we want to start trying out new recipes together. I love it!







Mediterranean Salad

1 bag of mixed greens (or chop your own mixed greens)
4 Roma tomatoes chopped
1 cucumber chopped
1 red bell pepper (or green or yellow)
1 apple (apple of your choice)
1 pear
1/2 bag of broccoli chopped (or about 1 head of broccoli)
2 avocados
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1 can slow roasted pecans (drizzled with boiling sugar water - about 1/3 cup water and 1 tbsp sugar or to taste.
1 container feta cheese (or about 1/2 cup feta cheese)

Dressing
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic or red wine vinegar
1 Tsp. minced garlic (I love those jars you get in the grocery store with the garlic already minced)

The directions for this salad are so easy. Basically you want to chop all of your vegetables and fruit and throw them in a huge bowl (like we did above). After tossing the vegetables set aside. Prepare the sugar water to drizzle the pecans with. Wait until water comes to boil then dissolve sugar into the water. We placed the pecans in a strainer and drizzled them with the sugar water. After drizzling them, set aside. Prepare dressing by mixing all three ingredients and whisk well.

Now assemble! Mix vegetables, pecans, sunflower seeds, feta cheese and dressing altogether. Voila! The most color and delicious salad you've ever seen. :)

Here's my quick craft project. Take a solid ornament and stick stars (the kind that look like crystal) all over it and crown the top with some boa! I love it!



Last but not least.....the ex b/f brought me flowers and a big stuffed cat. We had a long talk. Sounds like he was visited by the ghost of Christmas past, present and future. Hmmm......we will see. The flowers brightened my day though. :)


18 comments:

Seawashed said...

I will definately try that salad...it is my kind of food! Anything mediterranean...Sea Cottage is a mediterranean style home.

Sunflowers are always cheerful.

Be careful out there in that snow & ice. When we lived in Kansas City for 18mos. I couldn't drive in the snow/ice...too scared...I stayed home and safe!

Noodlegirl said...

Woman you are too funny. When I knew the past weekend was going to be bad here I only spent $50 on groceries and I am the pig from Hawaii! Pressure on you to put more food pic $150 worth lol just joking!!

I want that salad too!

Joanna said...

you and bryan are so adorable!!! haha i love that you guys are cooking together. my past two boyfriends would only watch me cook and then they'd eat everything i made. there'd be nothing left for me!!

i hate the snow and ice, too, michelle!! i am such a paranoid driver. i won't even drive downtown. i make my mom take me.

Michelle said...

Hehe..hey Joanna, Bryan is just a friend of mine, not boyfriend. I just broke up with my boyfriend recently (who apparently is trying to make-up). I didn't want anyone to think I move that fast! LOL My ex and I were together for 2 years...the last two days he has made some changes I've never seen before...so who knows!

Anonymous said...

I have to wait until summer to try the salad recipe. We eat seasonally, which means no tomatoes until they come out of our garden. Oh well...

Hmmm, do keep us posted on the ex-BF thing. Changes are good...especially changes for the better! :)

The Blonde Duck said...

Tell Scrooge he owes you a lot more than flowers. :)

Michelle said...

Hehe...yes boys will be boys. It will take some action and a lot of proof for me to see some positive changes.

Tracey said...

I live in Maine and hate the snow too. I should live somewhere where it never snows. Just remember.. sweet gestures are nice,, but be careful with the Ex. Things aren't always what they appear to be..have a good night..

KeKe said...

Sounds good...what kind of meat would you serve it with?

Michelle said...

Hey Tracey,

I agree with you on the Ex which is why it will take a long time for me to see some proof and action. :) At least we don't live together and I can just come home to my kitties. :)

Michelle said...

Hey Kelly!

I think for a meat, I would have chicken with this salad. :)

{oc cottage} said...

Wayyyyyyyyy to cute!!!!!!!

M ^..^

Janet said...

Wow that salad looks really yummy! I'll have to try it!
Keep warm sis!

Debbie in CA : ) said...

yummy salad ... must try.

$150 is a quick trip to the market for me!

i'm blanketed in snow and hubby is away retrieving daughter from college in san diego -- snow not so fun when i'm in charge of tending the hearth LITERALLY!!!

Pam said...

The salad looks delicious and the ornament is too cute.

Good luck with the ex...the flowers are beautiful.

soulchocolate@hotmail.com said...

People say Diamonds are a girl's best friend, but I would have to say Flowers are a girl's best friend! I'm glad these sunflowers look so good in your living space!

Kelli said...

What a yummy looking salad! Thank you for the recipe!
~Kelli

vanillasugarblog said...

This is a salad I would eat for sure. It has everything in it I love. Feta goes with everything! YUM.
I am so glad to be done with all that dating stuff....I swear finding my good man was hard, but I stayed with it and it finally paid off. And it's like they always say, it comes along when you least expect it. True, so very true.