• Charred Corn Salad

    August 21, 2024 Author: Rachel
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    Adapted from Caroline Chambers.

    Salad Ingredients:

    • 4 ears of corn, charred and chopped off cob (or 12 oz. frozen fire roasted corn prepared according to package)
    • Tajin, to taste
    • 1 – 2 red bell peppers, charred and chopped
    • Romaine lettuce
    • 1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
    • 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
    • Cooked chicken, sliced, optional
    • Pepitas, to taste
    • 1/2 c. cotija cheese, crumbled

    Verde Dressing Ingredients:

    • 1/2 c. mayonnaise
    • 1/4 c. Red Clay verde hot sauce or verda salsa of choice, more or less to taste

    Directions:

    1. Corn: Char corn and chop off cob or prepare frozen fire roasted corn according to package. While still hot, sprinkle with Tajin, to taste. Set aside to cool.
    2. Red Pepper: Char, seed and chop. Set aside to cool.
    3. Verde Dressing: Combine mayonnaise and hot sauce, taste and adjust seasoning.
    4. Salad: In a large salad serving bowl, fill bowl with lettuce; add the cilantro, beans, cooled corn, cooled red pepper, chicken (if using), pepitas, and cotija. Toss salad and then add the dressing and toss to combine.

    Charred Corn Salad:

  • Chicken Crust Caesar Salad Pizza

    July 9, 2024 Author: Rachel
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    Recipe from Mama Cooks Low Carb.

    Ingredients:

    Crust Ingredients:

    • 20 oz. can chicken, drained well
    • 1 egg
    • 1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

    Caesar Dressing Ingredients:

    • 1/2 c. mayonnaise
    • 1/4 c. sour cream
    • 1 1/2 tsp. anchovy paste, optional
    • 4 garlic cloves
    • 1 1/2 TBSP olive oil
    • Zest of 1/2 lemon, optional
    • 2 1/2 TBSP lemon juice
    • 1 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
    • 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
    • 1/2 tsp. freshly cracked black pepper
    • 1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese
    • Salt, to taste

    Assembly:

    • Romaine lettuce, chopped
    • Shaved Parmesan cheese, to taste
    • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
    • Zest of 1/4 lemon, optional
    • Balsamic glaze, optional

    Directions:

    1. Prep: Preheat oven to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
    2. Crust: Combine all the chicken crust ingredients into a bowl and mix while breaking it up really well with a fork, you don’t want any large lumps. Pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and press down using your hands while forming your desired shape, about 1/4 inch thick. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool for a few minutes.
    3. Caesar Dressing: Combine dressing ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
    4. Assembly: On a cooled crust, spread some dressing on top of the crust. Mix the lettuce with as much dressing as you like and place on crust. Top with shaved Parmesan cheese, cracked black pepper, and lemon zest, if desired. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.

    Chicken Crust Caesar Salad Pizza:

  • Creamy Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

    May 4, 2024 Author: Rachel
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    Adapted from Meals that Heal.

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 c. tightly packed basil leaves
    • 1/2 c. freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
    • 1/4 c. mayonnaise
    • 2 TBSP white wine vinegar
    • 2 TBSP lemon juice
    • 1/2 tsp. fresh lemon zest 
    • 1 tsp. honey
    • 1/4 tsp. salt
    • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
    • 6 TBSP extra-virgin olive oil 

    Directions:

    1. Combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until basil is finely processed, stopping as needed to scrape down sides of with a spatula.  
    2. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Store in a jar or air-tight container for up to 1 week in refrigerated. 

    Creamy Lemon Basil Vinaigrette:

  • Jalapeno Ranch Dressing

    October 11, 2023 Author: Rachel
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    Recipe from The Modern Proper.

    Ingredients:

    • 2 TBSP lime juice
    • 1 tsp. onion powder
    • 1 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 1/2 c. mayonnaise
    • 1/2 c. sour cream
    • 1/4 c. cilantro
    • 1/2 c. pickled jalapeños, drained

    Directions:

    1. Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until incorporated.

    Jalapeno Ranch Dressing:

  • Balsamic Apple Farro Salad – Harvest Salad

    October 11, 2023 Author: Rachel
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    Salad Ingredients:

    • Salad greens
    • Farro, cooked according to package
    • Red onion, sliced
    • Apple, sliced
    • Dried cranberries
    • Pecans, toasted
    • Feta cheese

    Creamy Balsamic Dressing Ingredients:

    • 3/4 c. mayo
    • 4 TBSP balsamic vinegar
    • 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
    • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1 1/2 TBSP brown sugar
    • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Water to thin, if necessary

    Directions:

    1. Salad: Add salad ingredients to large serving bowl. Top with dressing.
    2. Dressing: Add ingredients to a bowl and whisk together. Taste and adjust as needed. If too thick, add water to thin. Makes enough for 1-2 large salads or 4-6 smaller salads. I usually double.

    Balsamic Apple Farro Salad:

  • Moroccan Quinoa and Chickpea Salad

    September 25, 2023 Author: Rachel
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    Recipe adapted from Two Spoons.

    Ingredients:

    Salad:

    • 2/3 c. quinoa
    • 1 1/3 c. water
    • 1/2 c. almonds chopped and toasted
    • 1 shallot small, diced
    • 2 carrots, shaved into ribbons
    • 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    • 3 c. arugula 
    • 1/2 c. mint tightly packed and chopped
    • 8 or more dried apricots, chopped

    Moroccan Salad Dressing:

    • 1/4 c. + 2 TBSP olive oil
    • 2 TBSP lemon juice
    • 2 TBSP orange juice
    • 1 TBSP honey, plus more to taste
    • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp. ginger
    • 1/2 tsp. cumin
    • 1/2 tsp. coriander
    • 1/4 tsp. salt, plus more to taste
    • Pinch chili flakes

    Directions:

    1. Quinoa: In a saucepan combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to simmer and cook quinoa for 12-15 minutes. Fluff with a spoon and cover with tea towel. Let cool.
    2. Toasted Almonds: Toast almonds in a skillet on medium heat, stirring often until fragrant and golden browned (approx. 8-10 mins). Remove from heat.
    3. Moroccan Salad Dressing: Prepare dressing in a small bowl by whisking together oil, lemon juice, orange juice, honey, cinnamon, ginger, cumin, coriander, salt, and red pepper flakes.
    4. Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl combine quinoa, diced shallots, carrots, chickpeas, arugula, chopped mint, dried apricots, and toasted almonds. Add the dressing and toss to combine.

    Moroccan Quinoa and Chickpea Salad:

  • Steak Salad with Cafe Rio Dressing

    September 25, 2023 Author: Rachel
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    Steak salad adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod, and Cafe Rio Dressing adapted from Together as Family.

    Ingredients:

    Steak Marinade:

    • 1 1/2 lbs. flank steak
    • 2 TBSP lime juice
    • 2 TBSP olive oil
    • 1 tsp. chili powder
    • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
    • 1/2 tsp. paprika
    • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1 tsp. salt
    • 1 tsp. black pepper
    • 1/2 tsp. ground coriander

    Salad:

    • 6 c. mixed salad greens
    • 1 ear sweet corn, sliced off the cob (about 1 c.)
    • 2 c. grape tomatoes, halved
    • 1 large avocado, sliced
    • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
    • 1/3 c. pepitas
    • 1/2 c. queso fresco

    Cafe Rio Dressing:

    • 1 c. mayonnaise
    • 3/4 c. buttermilk
    • 1 packet/3 TBSP ranch seasoning mix
    • 2 tomatillos, husks removed and cut in half
    • 1 bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
    • 1 jalapeno 
    • 1 TBSP fresh lime juice 
    • 2 garlic cloves

    Directions:

    1. Steak Marinade: In a Ziploc bag add the lime juice through the coriander and mix to combine; then add the steak and massage the marinade around the steak. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
    2. Cafe Rio Salad Dressing: Add ingredients into the blender, in order as listed above. Blend on high for at least 1 minute, or until everything is combined and blended up really smooth. Can thin with additional buttermilk, if desired. Place in a container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
    3. When ready to grill, preheat a clean, oiled grill to medium-high heat.
    4. Place the steak on the hot grill and grill for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, depending on your preference. The steak should be 130-135°F for medium rare, and 145°F for medium.
    5. Transfer the steak to a large cutting board and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Let the steak rest for 10 minutes. Cut the steak against the grain into thin slices.
    6. To assemble the salad, place the mixed greens on a large platter. Add the steak, corn, tomatoes, avocado, red onion, pepitas, and queso fresco. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing.

    Steak Salad with Cafe Rio Salad Dressing:

  • Chipotle Vinaigrette Dressing

    September 25, 2023 Author: Rachel
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    From Chipotle.

    Ingredients:

    • 1/4 c. red wine vinegar
    • 2 1/2 TBSP honey
    • 3 TBSP chipotle peppers
    • 1/2 TBSP salt
    • 1/2 tsp. pepper
    • 1/4 tsp. dried oregano
    • 1/4 c. water
    • 1/2 c. oil

    Directions:

    1. Add all ingredients to a small blender cup (in the order above) and blend until smooth.

    Chipotle Vinaigrette Dressing:

  • Salmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato Corn Salad

    September 25, 2023 Author: Rachel
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    Adapted from Pinch of Yum.

    Ingredients:

    Spice-Rubbed Salmon:

    • 1 tsp. smoked paprika
    • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
    • 1/2 tsp. onion powder
    • 1/2 tsp. salt
    • 1 tsp. sugar
    • 1 TBSP olive oil
    • 1 lb. salmon filet

    Basil Sauce:

    • 1/2 c. fresh basil, packed
    • 1 small bunch of fresh chives
    • 1 tsp. dried oregano
    • 1 garlic clove
    • 1/2 c. mayonnaise
    • 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1–2 TBSP lemon juice
    • Salt, to taste
    • Milk to thin, as necessary

    Tomato and Corn Salad:

    • 1 1/2 c. cherry tomatoes, halved
    • 2 ears sweet corn, cut off the cob
    • 1 TBSP olive oil
    • 2 TBSP parsley, minced
    • Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
    • 1-2 c. spring greens
    • 2 c. cooked rice, orzo, couscous, etc. for serving

    Directions:

    1. Prep: In a medium sized bowl, add the tomatoes, corn, olive oil, parsley, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Mix to combine and then set aside. You will top the spring greens with the tomato and corn salad when you are ready to eat.
    2. Make Basil Sauce: Blend the basil sauce ingredients until almost completely smooth, with just a few flecks remaining. Thin with milk, if necessary.
    3. Make Salmon Spice Mixture: Mix the spices in a small bowl and stir in the olive oil and then set aside.
    4. Prep Salmon: Preheat the oven to 425F. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Add then salmon to the baking sheet and then coat the salmon with the spice mixture.
    5. Bake Salmon: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until 135F in the thickest part.
    6. Assemble Meal: Plate the salmon over the rice/orzo/couscous, serve with tomato and corn salad over the the spring greens, and spoon the sauce over the top of the fish and the salad, if desired.

    Salmon with Basil Sauce and Tomato and Corn Salad:

  • Copycat Cava Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing

    September 25, 2023 Author: Rachel
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    Adapted from Whisk Affair.

    Ingredients:

    • 1-2 garlic cloves 
    • 1/4 c. fresh parsley tightly packed
    • 1/4 c. fresh basil leaves tightly packed
    • 1/4 c. cilantro tightly packed
    • 1/2 tsp. salt or to taste
    • 2 tsp. lemon zest (zest from 1 large lemon)
    • 1/2 c. fresh lemon juice
    • 2 TBSP olive oil
    • 1/2 c. tahini paste
    • 4 TBSP cold water plus more to taste
    • 1TBSP honey, or to taste

    Directions:

    1. In the bowl of a small blender cup add garlic, parsley, basil, cilantro, salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Pulse until roughly chopped; then scrape the sides down and pulse a few more times.
    2. Add the olive oil and tahini paste and pulse until will combined.
    3. Add the water and honey (to taste) and blend until creamy. Add more water, if necessary until you reach your desired consistency.
    4. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary (more salt, honey, or water as needed).

    Copycat Cava Lemon Herb Tahini Dressing:

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